This document establishes values for safety distances in both industrial and non-industrial
environments to prevent machinery hazard zones being reached. The safety distances are appropriate
for protective structures. It also gives information about distances to impede free access by the lower
limbs (see Annex B).
This document covers people of 14 years and older (the 5th percentile stature of 14-year-olds is
approximately 1 400 mm). In addition, for upper limbs only, it provides information for children older
than 3 years (5th percentile stature of 3-year-olds is approximately 900 mm) where reaching through
openings needs to be addressed.
NOTE 1 It is not practical to specify safety distances for all persons. Therefore, the values presented are
intended to cover the 95th percentile of the population.
Data for preventing lower limb access for children is not considered.
The distances apply when sufficient risk reduction can be achieved by distance alone. Because safety
distances depend on size, some people of extreme dimensions will still be able to reach hazard zones
even when the requirements of this document are met.
Compliance with the requirements in this document will prevent access to the hazard zone. Nevertheless
the user of this document is advised that it does not provide the required risk reduction for every
hazard (e.g. hazards related to machine emissions such as ionizing radiation, heat sources, noise, dust).
The clauses covering lower limbs apply on their own only when access by the upper limbs to the same
hazard zone is not foreseeable according to the risk assessment.
The safety distances are intended to protect those persons trying to reach hazard zones under the
conditions specified (see 4.1.1).
NOTE 2 This document is not intended to provide measures against reaching a hazard zone by climbing over
(see ISO 14120:2015, 5.18).Cross References:ISO 12100:2010ISO/TR 14121-2:2012ISO 7250 (all parts)ISO 13855ISO/TR 20218-2ISO 14738ISO 13732-1ISO 14120ISO 14119All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.