Overview
SIST EN ISO 16093:2017 (ISO 16093:2017) - "Machine tools - Safety - Sawing machines for cold metal" - specifies safety requirements for sawing machines whose primary intended use is sawing cold metal (ferrous and non‑ferrous). The standard addresses all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4) and applies to (metal) sawing machines manufactured after the document’s publication. It is aligned with the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and supersedes EN 13898:2003+A1:2009.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Scope and definitions: Types of sawing machines covered are defined (Clause 3); scope and limits of applicability are in Clause 1 and Clause 4.
- Risk-based safety requirements (Clause 5): Guarding, modes of operation, control system requirements, and type‑specific safeguards for:
- Band‑sawing machines
- Circular sawing machines
- Hack‑sawing machines (horizontal‑pivot type)
- Mechanical hazards: Power transmission elements, workholding and clamping devices, loading/unloading systems, swarf/chip containment and preventive maintenance.
- Electrical, thermal and ergonomic hazards: Requirements to reduce electrical risks, burns, unhealthy postures, repetitive strain and poor control layout.
- Noise and vibration: Addresses noise hazards and includes normative annexes for noise measurement (Annex A, B) - note it does not provide a complete noise test code (planned for future revision).
- Material hazards: Handling of fluids, gases, mists, fumes and dusts; metalworking fluid hygiene; swarf cleanability.
- Unexpected start/overrun and verification: Measures against unexpected starts, control failures, energy restoration and verification/testing of safety measures.
- Information for use (Clause 6): Markings, instruction handbook requirements and noise declaration.
- Supporting annexes: Normative and informative annexes (noise measurement, test conditions, example guards, performance level examples, bibliography).
Practical Applications and Who Uses It
- Machine manufacturers use ISO 16093:2017 to design and build safe sawing machines and to achieve a presumption of conformity with EU Machinery Directive requirements where applicable.
- Safety engineers and compliance officers apply the standard for risk assessment, guard design, and control system validation.
- Plant managers and maintenance teams use the guidance for installation, maintenance planning, preventive maintenance and operator information.
- Notified bodies and conformity assessment organizations reference the standard for equipment evaluation and regulatory compliance.
Related Standards and Notes
- Supersedes: EN 13898:2003+A1:2009.
- Relationship to EU Directive 2006/42/EC: Annex ZA maps the standard’s clauses to essential requirements; compliance gives a presumption of conformity when the standard is cited in the Official Journal.
- Limitations: The standard does not include full noise test code nor fire/explosion requirements (these are intended to be addressed in future revisions).
Keywords: SIST EN ISO 16093:2017, ISO 16093:2017, sawing machines safety, machine tools, cold metal, band saw, circular saw, hack saw, Machinery Directive, guarding, noise measurement.