Guards Safety Distance
Mesh Size and Cutouts for 14-Year Olds and Older
| Limb | Slot Width | Safety Distance for Slot |
| Fingertip | ≤4 mm | ≥2 mm |
| ≤6 mm | ≥10 mm | |
| Finger | ≤8 mm | ≥20 mm |
| ≤10 mm | ≥80 mm | |
| Hand | ≤12 mm | ≥100 mm |
| ≤20 mm | ≥120 mm | |
| Arm | ≤120 mm | ≥850 mm |
| Leg | ≤180 mm | ≥1100 mm |
| Width, Diameter | Safety Distance for Square Cut-Out | Safety Distance for Round Hole |
| ≤4 mm | ≥2 mm | ≥2 mm |
| ≤6 mm | ≥5 mm | ≥5 mm |
| ≤8 mm | ≥15 mm | ≥5 mm |
| ≤10 mm | ≥25 mm | ≥20 mm |
| ≤12 mm | ≥80 mm | ≥80 mm |
| ≤30 mm | ≥120 mm | ≥120 mm |
| ≤40 mm | ≥200 mm | ≥120 mm |
| ≤120 mm | ≥850 mm | ≥850 mm |
A rectancular cut-out no larger than 30 mm ⋅ 65 mm requires a minimum safety distance of 200 mm. Gaps larger than 180 mm allow full body access and are therefore prohibited.
Standard DIN EN ISO 13857
Most machines need openings for product flow. International standard DIN EN ISO 13857 (see List of (Harmonised) Standards) specifies safety distances per shape and size of such cut-outs. Often, a tunnel or light curtain with muting must be added.
Table 4 of the standard is based on world-wide anthropomorphic investigations. These found 5% of 14-year olds with very slender limbs. Accordingly, rather long safety distances are instituted even for very small gaps.
Please do not hesitate to contact Engineering Consultant Wolfgang Grassberger for expert help.
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