Overview
SIST EN ISO 22291:2022 (ISO 22291:2022) specifies safety requirements and verification methods for wetlaid‑nonwoven machinery. It covers the full wetlaid process chain - approach flow systems, headbox, wire section and jet head, hydroentangling units, dryers, finishing, quality control systems (QCS), winders, drives and control systems - and identifies significant hazards, hazardous situations and hazard events when machines are used as intended and under foreseeable conditions. The standard excludes pressure hazards in steam‑heated drying cylinders, machines for explosive atmospheres, and machines manufactured before the publication date.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard addresses practical safety measures across the machine lifecycle, including:
- Risk assessment and design/risk minimization for wetlaid processes and components.
- Guards and interlocking movable guards to prevent access to moving parts.
- Control systems and actuators, including safety‑related control measures and selection of operating modes.
- Start/stop, emergency stop and braking requirements to prevent unexpected movements and enable safe shutdown.
- Isolation of energy sources and prevention of unexpected start‑up (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic).
- Access, walkways and maintenance provisions for elevated operating positions and servicing points.
- Measures for cleaning, removal of broke and escape/rescue of trapped persons.
- Specific equipment topics: electric drives, power transmission, mobile handling devices, floor/overhead rails, QCS interfaces.
- Hazard‑specific requirements: noise control, static electricity, hot surfaces, fire/explosion prevention, and marking/instructions.
- Verification and information: requirements for warnings, instructions and conformity assessment relevant to machinery directives.
Practical applications - who uses this standard
SIST EN ISO 22291:2022 is used by:
- Machine manufacturers and designers to develop safe wetlaid‑nonwoven machinery and integrate protective measures.
- Safety and compliance engineers to demonstrate conformity with essential requirements of the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) - Annex ZA maps clauses to the Directive.
- Plant managers, maintenance teams and operators for safe installation, operation, servicing and cleaning procedures.
- Procurement and certification bodies for specification, acceptance testing and safety verification of new equipment.
- System integrators and OEMs when integrating QCS, drives and automation into wetlaid lines.
Typical use cases include designing guards and interlocks, specifying emergency stop systems, documenting lockout/tagout and energy isolation, preparing technical files for CE marking, and developing safe maintenance/access procedures.
Related standards and references
- EN ISO 22291:2022 is the CEN‑adopted version of ISO 22291:2022 and includes Annex ZA relating the standard to Directive 2006/42/EC (Machinery Directive).
- Prepared by ISO/TC 72 and CEN/TC 214, it complements other machinery safety standards and sector‑specific guidance for textile and nonwoven machinery.
Keywords: wetlaid‑nonwoven, ISO 22291:2022, safety requirements, nonwoven machinery safety, wetlaid machinery, machine guarding, emergency stop, risk assessment, Machinery Directive.