Packaging machines are common in modern manufacturing; however, how to effectively protect packaging machines and what standards require for protection are not widely known. EN 415-10 Safety of Packaging Equipment—General Requirements provides ample explanations and answers.
When there is an opening between the protective shield and the ground for cleaning or removing products or packaging, the following requirements must be met:
If the opening is 20 mm or less, the safe distance from the nearest hazardous area must meet EN ISO 13857:2008, Table 4.
If the opening is greater than 20mm and less than or equal to 40mm, the safe distance from the nearest danger zone needs to be greater than 550mm. If personnel entry is unpredictable, the safe distance can be reduced to 130mm.
If the opening is greater than 40mm and less than or equal to 240mm, the safe distance from the nearest hazardous area must meet the following requirements:
1. The minimum safe distance is 850mm. If the distance between the lowest danger zone and the lowest edge of the protective shield is less than or equal to 300mm...
2. The minimum safe distance is 550mm. If the distance between the lowest danger zone and the lowest edge of the protective shield is greater than 300mm...
If the opening is larger than 240mm, a fixed protective device or a movable interlocking protective device, or a protective device with holes, is required.
The protective device is designed with openings for loading products and changing packaging components. These openings are designed to prevent personnel from accessing dangerous areas or entering the equipment. If it is not possible to prevent personnel from entering, then it is necessary to block the entire body from entering as much as possible.
The required safe distance to prevent personnel from accessing a hazardous area through an opening varies depending on the size of the opening, the height of the opening from the nearest accessible platform, the shape of the protective enclosure around the opening, and whether a conveyor belt is present inside the opening.
The diagram below defines the three main types of openings.
Small openings, designated "S", require safe distances according to EN ISO 13857 Tables 3, 4, and 6.
Medium-sized openings, named "Ma)," "Mb)," and "Mb," with safety distance requirements shown in the diagram below:
A large opening, named "L".
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