ISO 11680-2:2021

Overview

ISO 11680-2:2021 specifies safety requirements and verification measures for portable, hand‑held, pole‑mounted powered pruners that use a backpack power unit. It covers machines that transmit power via a shaft to cutting attachments such as a saw‑chain and guide bar, a reciprocating saw blade, or a single‑piece circular saw blade (maximum 205 mm outside diameter). The standard focuses on eliminating or reducing significant hazards during intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse, and it applies to machines manufactured after its publication (third edition, 2021).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and risk approach
  • Applies specifically to pole‑mounted powered pruners with backpack power units; uses ISO 12100 principles for design and risk reduction.
  • Excludes electric shock from overhead lines (except for required warnings) and whole‑body vibration measurement (no standardized test available at publication).
• Design and ergonomic requirements
  • Hand grip on the backpack unit: must be fully grippable with gloves, provide secure surface and minimum length (≥100 mm); verified by inspection, measurement and functional testing.
  • Harness: mandatory double‑shoulder harness, adjustable and designed for easy removal or equipped with a quick‑release mechanism operable deliberately and with one hand. Harness functionality and quick‑release are verified by inspection and functional load test (quick‑release tested under a vertical load of three times the dry weight of the backpack unit).
• Hydraulic and pneumatic safety
  • Systems must comply with ISO 4413 (hydraulic) and ISO 4414 (pneumatic). Pipes and hoses under >500 kPa must be shielded to prevent high‑pressure fluid discharge onto the operator; shielding verified by inspection.
• Information for use
  • Marking, warnings and instructions required per ISO 11680‑1:2021 (safe working practices, PPE guidance).
• Verification methods
  • Inspection, measurement and functional testing are specified for grips, harnesses and shielding.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 11680-2:2021 is intended for:

• Manufacturers of forestry machinery and pole‑mounted powered pruners (design, production and conformity assessment).
• Regulators and safety bodies setting equipment safety requirements and market surveillance.
• Employers, operators and service providers (maintenance, training) who need to understand safe use, harness function and maintenance requirements.
• Purchasers and procurement teams specifying compliant equipment for forestry, arboriculture and vegetation management.

Related standards

• ISO 11680-1:2021 - machines with integral combustion engine (relevant sections apply)
• ISO 12100:2010 - general machinery safety and risk reduction
• ISO 4413:2010 - hydraulic systems safety
• ISO 4414:2010 - pneumatic systems safety
• ISO 13857:2019 - safety distances for limbs

Keywords: ISO 11680-2:2021, pole‑mounted powered pruners, backpack power unit, forestry machinery safety, harness requirements, hydraulic and pneumatic safety.