§216 ガード及び保護装置に関する一般的な要件

Section 1.4.1 sets out general requirements for guards and protective devices. Specific requirements for the three main types of guards and for protective devices are set out in sections 1.4.2.1, 1.4.2.2, 1.4.2.3 and 1.4.3.

The first indent of section 1.4.1 requires guards and protective devices to have sufficient mechanical strength, taking account both of the hazards they protect against and of the intended conditions of use. For example, where it is foreseeable that an operator could fall or step on the guard. Where a particularly high degree of resistance is required, in particular for guards intended to protect against falling or ejected objects, the relevant harmonised standards specify the design criteria and, where necessary, the tests to be carried out.

The second indent of section 1.4.1 requires guards and protective devices to be securely held in place. This is particularly important when safety depends on the distance between the guard and the hazardous part of the machinery.

The third indent of section 1.4.1 states that guards or protective devices shall not give rise to any additional hazard. For example, the opening or closing of a movable guard must not create a crushing or shearing hazard. Where necessary in order to avoid excessive or repeated effort, the opening and closing of movable guards shall be powered or assisted, for example, by springs or hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

The fourth indent of section 1.4.1 requires that guards and protective devices shall not be easy to by-pass or render non-operational. This requirement is particularly relevant for the interlocking devices of movable guards and for protective devices.

The fifth indent of section 1.4.1 requires guards and protective devices to be situated at an adequate distance from the danger zone.

Adequate distances for protective devices are given in standard EN 999. For guards with openings, safety distances with respect to the dimensions and shape of the openings are given in standard EN ISO 13857.

The location of setting, adjustment and other maintenance points outside the danger zones can avoid the need to remove guards for routine maintenance operations – see §239: comments on section 1.6.1.

The sixth indent of section 1.4.1 requires guards and protective devices to be designed and constructed, as far as possible, so that they do not constitute an obstacle for operators by obstructing the view of the production process. Failure to take this aspect into account increases the risk that guards and protective devices will be defeated or removed by the operators. The visibility of the work process can be improved, for example, by fitting transparent guards, CCTV or, where there are no risks due to ejected objects or emissions, by fitting guards with openings or protective devices – see §221: comments on section 1.4.3.

The seventh indent of section 1.4.1 states that the design and construction of guards and protective devices must take account of the need for access to the danger zones, whether during normal operation of the machinery or for maintenance purposes. The guards and protective devices must restrict access to the area where the work has to be carried out. The location of setting, adjustment and maintenance points outside the danger zones can avoid the need to remove guards for routine operations – see §239: comments on section 1.6.1.

The second paragraph of section 1.4.1 underlines that guards can often provide protection against several hazards simultaneously and must be designed and constructed accordingly – see §169: comments on section 1.1.1 (f).

approach speeds of parts of the human body.

by upper and lower limbs (ISO 13857:2008).

Guards and protective devices designed to protect persons against moving parts involved in the process on the machinery, when independently placed on the market, are safety components – see §42: comments on Article 2 (c), §389: comments on Annex V and §411: comments on when safety fences are safety components.