BS EN 1870-11:2013

What is BS EN 1870-11 - Semi-automatic horizontal cross-cut sawing machines about?

BS EN 1870-11 is the 11^th part of the BS EN 1870 multi-series that discusses the safety of woodworking machines. This European standard helps its users of the woodworking industry to create a safe work environment for the workers by ensuring the machinery meets the minimum safety requirements. 

BS EN 1870-11 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events as listed in Clause 4 which are relevant to semi-automatic horizontal cutting cross-cut sawing machines with one saw unit (radial arm saws), hereinafter referred to as “machines”, designed to cut solid wood, chipboard, fibreboard, plywood and also these materials when covered with plastic edging and/or plastic/light alloy laminates when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer including reasonably foreseeable misuse. Machines that are designed to work wood-based materials may also be used for working rigid plastic materials with similar physical characteristics as wood.

Any work-piece positioning equipment fitted to the machine is included in BS EN 1870-11.

Note: BS EN 1870-11 does not apply to machines:

• With a manual feed of the saw unit
• For cross-cutting logs
• Specifically designed for sawing and/or milling roof timber frames
• Fitted with hydraulic braking systems

Who is BS EN 1870-11 - Semi-automatic horizontal cross-cut sawing machines for?

BS EN 1870-11 on the safety of woodworking machines is useful for:

• Manufacturers of woodworking machines
• Designers of woodworking machines
• Health and safety bodies (regulators, safety inspectors)
• Maintenance personnel

Why should you use BS EN 1870-11 - Semi-automatic horizontal cross-cut sawing machines?

Semi-automatic horizontal cross-cut sawing machines are one of the commonly used sawing machines in the woodworking industry. These saws are fixed to a table and require a lot more human effort for setting up a wood and cutting it. Due to these close human-machine interactions, the chance of accidents is always high hence these saws need to meet certain safety requirements.

BS EN 1870-11 classifies various types of hazards like mechanical, electrical and other workplace factors that can contribute to causing accidents while operating these sawing machines. BS EN 1870-11 also provides you with solutions to minimize the risk of these hazards.  

In conclusion, the guidelines of BS EN 1870-11 enable you to design better and safer Semi-automatic horizontal cross-cutting sawing machines to ensure the safety of its end-users

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 1870-11:2013 supersedes EN 1870-11:2003+A1:2009.

The main modifications in BS EN 1870-11:2013 to the previous version include:

• The deletion of automatic machines
• The deletion of displaceable machines fitted with wheels
• Introduction of PL
• More precise requirements for braking function and for access to the saw blade for change
• To require the fence to be located on both sides of the cutting line