Overview
EN ISO 8437-2:2021 (ISO 8437-2:2019) specifies safety requirements and test procedures for combustion engine powered pedestrian-controlled snow throwers. It is a Type‑C machinery safety standard (per ISO 12100) and is intended to be used together with ISO 8437‑1 and ISO 8437‑4 to achieve the full set of requirements and means of verification for pedestrian‑controlled snow throwers. Endorsed by CEN as EN ISO 8437‑2:2021, the document addresses significant hazards and foreseeable hazardous situations when these machines are used as intended.
This standard does NOT apply to electrically or battery powered snow throwers, hand‑held units, airport/highway snow removal machines, machines for potentially explosive atmospheres, or machines manufactured before its publication.
Key Topics and Requirements
The standard focuses on practical safety and test items for pedestrian‑controlled snow throwers, including:
- Controls
- General control design and layout
- Engine stopping and starting controls
- Collector and impeller control requirements
- Requirements for self‑propelled pedestrian machines
- Guards, shields and housings
- Protection for moving parts and impellers
- Hot surfaces and engine exhaust guarding
- Snow clean‑out tool guidance
- Fuel system safety
- Fuel tank overfill test
- Fuel line axial pull test
- Electrical equipment (battery circuits up to 42 V)
- Insulation of cables, battery installation, overload protection and terminal protection (note: battery circuits >42 V and magneto grounding circuits are outside the scope)
- Power drives and mechanical safety
- Drive system safety requirements to reduce entanglement and crushing hazards
- Validation and tests
- Probe tests (procedure and acceptance)
- Electromagnetic immunity, noise and vibration considerations
- Information for use
- Instruction handbook, markings and safety warnings (Annex A provides requirements for the instruction handbook)
The standard explicitly excludes hazards related to electromagnetic compatibility, working environment, mains‑connected starting motors and other specified items.
Applications and Who Should Use It
EN ISO 8437‑2:2021 is aimed at stakeholders involved in the design, manufacture, testing, sale and regulation of pedestrian‑controlled snow throwers:
- Machine manufacturers and designers - to design combustion‑engine snow throwers that meet recognized safety and testing criteria.
- Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies - to perform standardized safety tests and verification.
- Health & safety regulators and market surveillance - to assess compliance and reduce accident risks.
- Maintenance providers and technical writers - to prepare safe service procedures and compliant user manuals.
- Procurement/specifiers - to define safety and test requirements in tenders and specifications.
Practical uses include product development risk mitigation, pre‑market testing, creating compliant instructions and labels, and supporting market surveillance activities.
Related Standards
Keywords: EN ISO 8437-2:2021, ISO 8437-2, snow throwers safety, pedestrian-controlled snow throwers, safety requirements, test procedures, combustion engine snow throwers, CEN.