DIN EN ISO 13854:2020-01

Preventing crushing hazards on machinery through safe minimum gaps

DIN EN ISO 13854 specifies minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body. It helps machinery manufacturers, designers and safety professionals identify crushing zones on machinery and effectively mitigate them by providing suitable gaps. The standard is an important basis for machinery safety and helps reduce risks in the design of machinery and equipment.

What is DIN EN ISO 13854 about?

The standard defines minimum gaps between moving and stationary machinery parts to prevent the crushing of parts of the human body. It describes a methodology for assessing crushing zones and specifies minimum values for different body parts. It takes into account anthropometric data, the accessibility of hazard zones and the requirements for risk assessment in accordance with ISO 12100.

Particular attention is given to the body, head, legs, feet, toes, arms, hands and fingers, for which specific minimum gaps are defined. The standard can be applied where these gaps provide an adequate level of safety.

Topics covered

• Minimum gaps to avoid crushing
• Assessment and identification of crushing zones
• Risk assessment in accordance with ISO 12100
• Minimum gaps for different parts of the human body
• Consideration of anthropometric data
• Use of protective structures with restricted openings
• Additional protective measures for increased risks
• Relationship with safety distances in accordance with ISO 13857

Practical relevance

Crushing zones are among the most common hazards associated with machinery and can cause serious injuries. DIN EN ISO 13854 helps manufacturers and designers implement suitable protective measures during the design phase and systematically reduce risks.

The specified minimum gaps for individual parts of the human body are particularly relevant, providing a clear and standards-compliant basis for designing safe machinery and protective equipment. The standard is frequently applied in conjunction with ISO 12100 and ISO 13857.

Changes compared with DIN EN 349:2008-09

In the current edition, the former DIN EN 349 has been transferred to the international standards series. The main changes include:

• complete editorial revision of the standard
• transfer of the former EN 349 to the international standard EN ISO 13854

Target group

• Machinery manufacturers
• Designers and development engineers
• Machinery safety specialists
• Safety engineers
• CE marking and conformity professionals
• Testing bodies and technical experts
• Operators of machinery and equipment
• Occupational health and safety professionals

Conclusion

DIN EN ISO 13854 provides a key basis for preventing crushing hazards on machinery. Its specified minimum gaps support the safe design of machinery and complement risk assessment and other machinery safety standards.

This document replaces DIN EN 349 Berichtigung 1:2009-01 , DIN EN 349:2008-09 .