Overview
ISO 19225:2017 - "Underground mining machines - Mobile extracting machines at the face - Safety requirements for shearer loaders and plough systems" - specifies safety requirements to minimize hazards throughout the lifecycle of shearer loaders and plough systems in underground mining. The standard covers assembly, use, maintenance, repair, decommissioning, disassembly and disposal when machines are used as intended or under reasonably foreseeable misuse. It is a type‑C machinery standard and takes precedence over more general type‑A/B standards for machines designed to its requirements. Note: explosive atmospheres are excluded (see ISO/IEC 80079‑38) and the standard does not apply to machines manufactured before its publication date.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 19225:2017 organizes safety requirements across technical domains. Major areas include:
- Hazard identification and risk reduction - list of significant hazards (Clause 4) and verification (Clause 6).
- Control devices and systems - design, safety, reliability, emergency stop, protection against inadvertent movements, remote and radio control, automatic control (Clause 5.4).
- Mechanical and structural safety - stability, contact surfaces (sharp edges, hot surfaces), chains and gearboxes, load attachment points (Clauses 5.2–5.9).
- Hydraulic, water and electrical systems - safety of hydraulic systems, power supply failure modes, cable protection, bonding and lighting (Clauses 5.8, 5.10).
- Environmental and operational risks - falling objects, ejected material, dust control and suppression, noise (Clauses 5.5–5.7).
- Fire protection, maintenance, repair and verification - safe servicing, guarding, maintenance access, and procedures for decommissioning (Clauses 5.11–5.13, 6).
- Information for use and marking - operator instructions, signals, warning devices, documentation for transport, assembly, operation, maintenance and emergencies (Clause 7).
Practical applications - who uses ISO 19225:2017
- Manufacturers and designers of shearer loaders and plough systems - to design compliant, safe machines and components.
- Mine operators and safety managers - to specify equipment procurement, operational controls and maintenance regimes.
- Maintenance personnel and service providers - for safe repair, commissioning and decommissioning practices.
- Regulators, conformity assessors and certifiers - to evaluate machine safety and compliance.
- Technical writers and trainers - to prepare user instructions, safety manuals and training materials aligned with the standard.
Related standards
ISO 19225:2017 references and aligns with key standards, including:
Using ISO 19225:2017 helps reduce workplace injuries, supports regulatory compliance, and provides a structured framework for safe design and lifecycle management of mobile extracting machines at the face.