BS EN 349:1993 specifies minimum gaps relative to parts of the human body in machinery and is applicable when adequate safety can be achieved by this method. It aims to enable the user (e.g. standard makers, designers of machinery) to avoid hazards from crushing zones.
Annexes have been included in the 2008 revision specifying the relationship between this standard and the essential requirements of:
- Essential Requirements of the New Approach Directive Machinery 98/37/EC
- Essential Requirements of the New Approach Directive Machinery 2006/42/EC.
In specifying minimum gaps a number of aspects have to be taken into consideration, including
- accessibility of the crushing zones
- anthropometric data, taking into account ethnic groups likely to be found in European countries
- technical and practical aspects.
BS EN 349 is applicable to risks from crushing hazards only and is not applicable to other possible hazards, e.g. impact, shearing, drawing-in, where additional or other measures need to be taken.