ISO 11806-2:2022

Overview

ISO 11806-2:2022 is an international safety standard for portable, hand‑held, powered brush‑cutters and grass‑trimmers that use a backpack‑mounted combustion engine power unit with mechanical power transmission to the cutting attachment. The document specifies safety requirements and verification measures for design, construction and information for use, and it applies to machines manufactured after the date of publication. It excludes whole‑body vibration measurement (no standardized test available at publication) and machines with multi‑piece metallic cutting attachments (e.g., pivoting chains or flail blades).

Key topics and technical requirements

Highlights of the standard’s technical content include:

• Machine scope and definition: Covers the complete assembly - backpack power unit, drive shaft/tube, cutting attachment, guard, handles and harness.
• Safety distances: Minimum straight‑line distance of 1 200 mm from the midpoint of the rear handle to the nearest unguarded point of the cutting attachment for machines with front and rear handles.
• Backpack handgrip: A handgrip must be provided for transport/handling; it must be fully grippable with gloves and at least 100 mm long, with specified shape and surface for sure grip.
• Harness requirements: Mandatory double shoulder harness that is adjustable, easy to remove or fitted with a quick‑release mechanism; additional requirements for waist belts and release points are specified.
• Throttle control: New requirements for throttle position, operation and latch for backpack power units (added/updated in this edition).
• Fuel tank integrity: Structural integrity requirements and verification tests for the fuel tank are included (new Annex B in this edition).
• Hydraulic/pneumatic lines: Routing, protection and verification requirements for hydraulic and pneumatic pipes/hoses where applicable.
• Verification and testing: Measurement, inspection and functional testing methods are specified for key safety features.

Applications and users

ISO 11806-2:2022 is used by:

• Manufacturers of backpack‑powered brush‑cutters and grass‑trimmers for product design, safety compliance and CE/market documentation.
• Regulators, market surveillance and safety bodies assessing conformity and consumer safety.
• Employers and professional users specifying safe equipment and work practices.
• Service and maintenance providers ensuring that repairs preserve required safety characteristics.

Practical benefits include reduced operator injury risk, clearer design targets for harnesses, controls and guards, and standard test methods for safety verification.

Related standards

This part is intended to be used with:

• ISO 11806-1:2022 (machines with integral combustion engine)
• ISO 12100:2010 (general machine safety and risk reduction)
• ISO 13857:2019 (safety distances)
• Normative references: ISO 4413, ISO 4414 for hydraulic/pneumatic safety

Keywords: ISO 11806-2:2022, backpack power unit, brush‑cutters, grass‑trimmers, safety requirements, testing, portable hand‑held machinery, harness, throttle control, fuel tank integrity.