John Ingram, Global Product Manager at Kee Safety, explains why contractors should be paying attention to the EN Standard for ‘Safety of Machinery – Permanent means of access to machinery’ and specifying self-closing safety gates.
Revised EN ISO 14122 standard
It is intended that this part of ISO 14122 be used with a relevant access-specific part of ISO 14122. The ISO 14122 series as a whole is applicable to both stationary and mobile machinery where fixed means of access are necessary. It is intended that this part of BS EN ISO 14122 is used with BS EN ISO 14122-1 to give the requirements for fixed ladder systems. NOTE: This part of BS EN ISO 14122 is not applicable to machinery manufactured before the date of its publication. Normserie NEN-EN-ISO 14122 herzien en gepubliceerd. De NEN-EN-ISO 14122 serie van normen: Veiligheid van machines - Permanente toegangsmiddelen tot machines is onlangs herzien en gepubliceerd. It is intended that this part of ISO 14122 be used with a relevant access-specific part of ISO 14122. The ISO 14122 series as a whole is applicable to both stationary and mobile machinery where fixed means of access are necessary.
In June 2016, the Standard for Safety of Machinery – Permanent means of access to machinery – Part 3: Stairs, stepladders and guard-rails (EN ISO 14122-3:2016) was updated. This revised standard defines the requirements for safe access to machines, applying to both stationary and mobile machinery where a fixed means of access is necessary. The standard specifies that when the height of a fall could exceed 500mm, a guard-rail should be installed, and the chosen system needs to meet several dimensional requirements. It also notes that a self-closing gate should be used.
It is intended that this part of ISO 14122 be used with ISO 14122-1 to give the requirements for walking platforms and walkways. The ISO 14122 series as a whole is applicable to both stationary and mobile machinery where fixed means of access are necessary.
Safe protection to openings
Maintenance and inspection teams require safe protection to openings such as on work platforms, around industrial machinery or as part of demarcation routes in warehouse and logistic centres, in addition to providing safe access and egress for ladders, walkways and rooftop guardrails.
For many years, chains, bars and sliding link tubes have been the method of protection for safe access. While these provide a simple safety solution, they are reliant on correct usage which isn’t reliable, as users can forget to replace the bar or chain, leaving a gap behind them.
Now, with this standard, there is a very clear set of requirements and dimensions for safety gates.
Updated standard requirements
The system should incorporate a knee rail that is 500mm from the top rail, and a lower bottom rail that is no more than 500mm from the floor level. The standard also states that the gate should not be locked, but held in closed position, and should be designed to open easily and closed with a firm stop, preventing users pushing against the gate and potentially falling through the opening.
Self-closing gates - the preferred method of protection
Not only does the new EN standard recommend the use of self-closing gates, but so does the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Both promote self-closing gates as the preferred method of protection because they automatically close behind the user to provide an added level of security, so overcoming the potential for human error.
Some systems, such as KEE GATE, are available in galvanised steel and if required can be powder coated in safety yellow. Available with standard 'U' bolts for fixing to uprights of 33.7, 42.4 and 48.3 mm diameter, the gate can be fixed quickly to existing supporting structures, posts or stringers. An additional fixing pack is provided which allows the gate to be fixed to square, flat or angle uprights. Easy to install or to retro-fit existing structures, such as galvanised handrails, KEE GATE is 1 metre wide. Designed to be trimmed on-site, this solution saves companies the time and money it takes to fabricate their own gates.
Specifying a self-closing gate that is in line with the requirements set out in EN ISO 14122-3:2016, presents contractors with a quicker, more cost-effective and easier to install solution that eliminates the possibility of human error.
EN ISO 14122-4: Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 4: Fixed ladders
The Standard EN ISO 14122-4 was published in Italy on October 2016, replaces the previous EN ISO 14122-4 of 2010 and is not applicable to machinery manufactured before the date of its publication.
This part of ISO 14122 gives requirements for fixed ladders which are a part of a stationary machine, and to the non-powered adjustable parts (e.g. foldable, slidable) and movable parts of fixed ladder systems..
The new standard, thanks to the use of images, allows to have a clearer idea of what are the requirements to be observed.
The new approach of EN 14122-4: 2016
En Iso 14122-2
While the previous EN 14122-4 shows a list of all the dimensions to be respected, the approach adopted by the new standard is to provide a guide for choosing the main features and the elements that the ladders will have.
Iso 14122 3
Guidelines are given for the choice of the type of ladder based on the available space and defining the spaces to be respected between the various elements of the ladder and any other fixed obstacle present in the area.
A guide is also given to the choice of personal protective equipment against falls from a height and for the assessment of risks related to the ladder, taking into account aspects such as effort, damage due to falling, frequency of use, etc.
En Iso 14122-1
Based on the total height, the new standard establishes which dimensions to comply with and which protection devices to adopt. It also establishes how rest platforms should be placed.
NB: The structures such as buildings and machine parts, may constitute a safety cage in themselves, provided that the dimensions obtained are the same as those established by the standard for the construction of safety cages.
Physical characteristics of the ladder and protection devices
The standard details the test to be performed, both with one or two stiles.
The test weights and the application points are established for the various elements of the ladder (rungs and stiles) and for any protection devices (safety cages or guard-rails).
The geometric features (design and construction) of all the elements that can form the ladder system, from rungs to safety cages, are detailed. This section specifies that the fall protection devices to be applied to the arrival area are independent of any other protection device applied to the ladder. Therefore, it is not possible to avoid other fall protection devices just because, for example, it is expected to use the fall arrester along the ladder.
Marking of Ladeder systems with fall arrester
At least the following shall be permanently marked at point of entry and exit to the ladder system:
- the Manufacturer;
- the Year of manufacture;
- the date of commissioning;
- a reference on standard for fall protection;
- a reference on standard of full body harness;
- the type of guided type fall arrester;
- the type of fall protection device;
- the notice: 'Use of personal protective equipment is mandatory'.