Overview - What ISO 13855:2010 covers
ISO 13855:2010, "Safety of machinery - Positioning of safeguards with respect to the approach speeds of parts of the human body," defines how far protective devices must be located from machine hazard zones so people cannot reach danger before the hazardous function is terminated. The standard specifies parameters and a methodology based on human approach speeds (walking and upper-limb movement) to calculate minimum distances between a detection zone (or actuating device) and the hazard zone. It is a type‑B standard for machinery safety and applies to common safeguards such as electro‑sensitive protective equipment, pressure‑sensitive mats, two‑hand controls and interlocking guards without guard locking.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Approach speeds and anthropometry: Uses empirically validated approach speed values (walking and upper‑limb movement) and intrusion distances (symbol C) to model realistic human movement.
- Minimum distance calculation: Provides a methodology and equations to determine the minimum distance (S) required to prevent reaching the hazard before the machine is made safe, taking into account the overall system stopping performance (T) and detection capability (d).
- Safeguards considered:
- Electro‑sensitive protective equipment (ESPE) - light curtains/grids (AOPDs), laser scanners (AOPDDRs), vision‑based systems
- Pressure‑sensitive mats and floors
- Two‑hand control devices
- Interlocking guards without guard locking
- Special considerations: Guidance for direct and indirect approaches, possible circumventing (reaching over/through detection zones), combinations of safeguards, and steps for calculating distances for different detection zone geometries (orthogonal, parallel, angled).
- Limitations: Does not cover approaches such as running, jumping or falling, children-specific data, mobile safeguards that can be moved closer without tools, or hazards from emissions, radiation or electricity.
Practical applications - Who uses ISO 13855:2010
- Machine designers and OEMs applying safe‑by‑design principles
- Safety engineers performing risk assessments and specifying guard placement
- System integrators installing ESPEs, light curtains, laser scanners and pressure mats
- Compliance officers and machinery safety auditors verifying conformity with international safety practices
Use cases include positioning light curtains on presses, setting safety distances for robotic cells, and selecting placement for pressure mats at access points.
Related standards and integration
ISO 13855:2010 is intended to be used alongside:
- ISO 12100 (basic concepts and risk assessment)
- ISO 14121‑1 (risk assessment principles)
- ISO 13857 (safety distances to prevent reach)
- IEC 61496 (electro‑sensitive protective equipment)
Use ISO 13855 when a machine‑specific type‑C standard does not specify distances; where a type‑C exists, its requirements take precedence.
Keywords: ISO 13855:2010, safety of machinery, minimum distances, safeguards positioning, approach speeds, electro‑sensitive protective equipment, pressure‑sensitive mats, two‑hand control, detection zone, hazard zone.