Permanent means of access to machinery
Procter Machine Guarding has published a new White Paper that explains the requirements laid down in the 2016 edition of BS EN ISO 14122, Safety of machinery – Permanent means of access to machinery, Parts 1 to 4.
BS EN ISO 14122 part 1 covers the choice of fixed means of access and the general requirements, while part 2 relates to working platforms and walkways, part 3 is stairs, stepladders and guard-rails, and part 4 addresses fixed ladders. All four parts have been updated in 2016 and were Harmonised to the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC on 9 September 2016. Their predecessors cease to provide a presumption of conformity to the relevant essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Directive on 31 December 2016.
Procter’s new BS EN ISO 14122 free download is a White Paper explaining the requirements for permanent means of access to machinery |
Procter’s new ISO 14122 White Paper introduces the standard and explains how it relates to machine guarding and machine safety. All four parts of ISO 14122 are Type-B standards and are therefore potentially applicable to all types of machinery – though, as the White Paper explains, Part 1 must be used in conjunction with at least one of Parts 2, 3 or 4. While not mandatory, it is highly recommended that the relevant parts of the standard are referred to, whether the intention is to use custom-designed or modular access systems manufactured from steel, stainless steel, aluminium or another material. Note that BS EN ISO 14122 parts 1 to 4 are published by BSI as the UK version of the International and European Harmonised standard, not BS 14122 as the standard is occasionally referred to erroneously.
Rather than presenting a line-by-line analysis of the standard, the 11-page White Paper provides an explanation for some of the concepts and technical details that are not immediately obvious when reading the standard. It will, therefore, help readers to understand and interpret the machinery access standard, whether they are new to designing permanent means of access or have designed them before but using the previous edition of the standard. Procter Machine Guarding believes that its new White Paper is the most comprehensive guide to ISO 14122 parts 1 to 4 that has been published to date, and certainly the 2016 versions.
In addition to providing a wealth of information about BS EN ISO 14122, the White Paper lists useful resources and sources of further information. These will be helpful for readers who need to know more about topics such as risk assessments, safety distances or machine guarding standards, or who want to review relevant guidance from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) or the European Commission.
Anyone responsible for specifying or designing machines or permanent means of access, including building or civil constructions where the main function is to provide access to a machine or process, should download or request a copy of the new White Paper. Furthermore, although the standard is not applicable retrospectively, anyone who is concerned about the adequacy and safety of an existing permanent means of access will also benefit from reading the White Paper.
PDF copies of the White Paper BS EN ISO 14122, Safety of machinery – permanent means of access, are available free of charge from the Downloads section or it can be read online. Alternatively, request a copy by telephoning or email info@machinesafety.co.uk.
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