Overview
ISO 23125:2015 - Machine tools - Safety - Turning machines is the type‑C international standard that specifies safety requirements and protective measures for turning machines and turning centres used primarily to shape metal by cutting. The second edition (published 2015, corrected 2016) covers the significant hazards for four machine groups:
- Group 1: Manual turning machines without numerical control
- Group 2: Manual turning machines with limited NC capability
- Group 3: Numerically controlled (NC) turning machines and turning centres
- Group 4: Single- or multi‑spindle automatic turning machines
The standard also applies to integral ancillary devices (tooling, clamping, handling, chip removal) and machines integrated into automated lines where hazards are comparable.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 23125:2015 organizes safety requirements across the machine lifecycle and includes:
- Hazard identification and main hazard zones (Clause 4) - lists significant mechanical, electrical, noise, radiation and ergonomic hazards specific to turning operations.
- Safety requirements / protective measures (Clause 5) - general requirements plus group‑specific provisions for guards, clamping, modes of operation, optional equipment, and failure conditions (unexpected start‑up, over‑speed, power or control failures).
- Verification and testing - procedures for verifying protective measures and safety functions; Annex A provides an impact test method for guards with supporting informative annexes for test equipment, energy calculations and checklists.
- Information for use (Clause 6) - mandatory marking, user instructions (tooling, clamping, restart, residual risks, installation and cleaning) and safety‑related documentation that manufacturers must supply.
- Special topics - noise emission testing, ejected fluids/objects, extinguishing and extraction system examples, performance level determination for interlocked guards.
Practical applications
ISO 23125:2015 is used to:
- Guide safe design and risk reduction for turning machines and turning centres
- Define guarding, interlocks and protective measures for machine manufacturers
- Support risk assessments and CE conformity with machinery directives for importers and suppliers
- Inform machine safety verification, commissioning and operator documentation
- Ensure safe integration of turning machines into automated production lines or cells
Who should use this standard
- Machine designers and manufacturers (machine tools, turning centres)
- Safety engineers, compliance officers and machine builders
- Integrators of automated production lines and cell designers
- Maintenance and workshop managers responsible for safe operation and documentation
Related standards
- ISO 12100 (General machine safety / risk assessment)
- ISO 13849‑1 and EN 954‑1 (safety control performance levels / categories)
- IEC 60204‑1 (Electrical equipment of machines)
- ISO 230‑5 (Noise emission testing)
Keywords: ISO 23125:2015, turning machines safety, turning centres, machine tools safety, guards, risk reduction, NC turning machines, machine safety standard.