ISO 21815-3:2023 PDF

Overview

ISO 21815-3:2023 - "Earth-moving machinery - Collision warning and avoidance - Part 3: Risk area and risk level for forward/reverse motion" specifies requirements for collision warning systems (CWS) and collision avoidance systems (CAS) that address forward and reverse motion on earth‑moving, road‑construction and mobile underground mining machinery. The standard defines how to assess collision risk areas and risk levels, calculate required detection/action distances (CxS distance), and specify system responses (speed reduction, stopping, inhibiting motion). It is intended as an operator‑assistance safety standard; responsibility for safe operation remains with the machine operator.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to machines defined in ISO 6165, ISO 19296 and ISO 22242; excludes machine height beyond travel position and does not apply retroactively to systems installed before publication.
• Performance requirements: Detection, determination and action timing; system functionality for both CWS and CAS; human‑machine interface and intervention indicators.
• CxS distance and timing: Defines points and intervals (detection → determination → action → machine stopping → safe distance) used to size detection sensors and to demonstrate that warning or avoidance actions complete before collision.
• Collision risk level determination: Methodology for assigning risk levels for forward/reverse motion (normative Annex A).
• Collision avoidance actions: Limited to reducing speed, stopping, or inhibiting motion - excludes automatic manoeuvring (steering).
• Guidance and examples: Time/distance calculation guidance, example calculations for surface and underground machines, limitations of use, and configuration approaches (informative annexes).
• Documentation: Requirements for operator’s manual content and system information (see ISO 6750‑1 and ISO 21815‑1 references).

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it:
  • Machine manufacturers (design, verification and documentation of CWS/CAS)
  • Collision‑system suppliers and integrators (system configuration and validation)
  • Safety regulators, test bodies and procurement teams (specifying performance criteria)
  • Fleet operators, maintenance teams and training providers (operational limits and manuals)
• Use cases:
  • Designing sensor coverage and action logic to meet minimum CxS distances
  • Validating that a CWS provides sufficient operator reaction time or that a CAS can intervene safely
  • Preparing operator manuals, safety declarations and maintenance procedures
  • Specifying contract requirements for machine and system procurement

Related standards

• ISO 21815‑1 (general requirements)
• ISO 6165, ISO 19296, ISO 22242 (machine definitions)
• ISO 12100, ISO 6750‑1 (safety and operator manual guidance)
• References in field: ISO 16001, ISO 17757 (visibility and autonomous systems)

Keywords: ISO 21815-3:2023, collision warning, collision avoidance, earth-moving machinery, CWS, CAS, CxS distance, risk level, forward reverse motion, machine safety.