What is BS EN 1870-5 – Safety requirements for circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines about?
BS EN 1870 is a European Standard that discusses safety of woodworking machines. The main aim of the BS EN 1870 series is to provide manufacturers with best industry requirements that help minimize the risk of occupational hazards that may occur while operating woodworking machines.
BS EN 1870-5 is the fifth part of the BS EN 1870 series of standards deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events which are relevant to circular saw benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines, hereinafter referred to as “machines”, designed to cut solid wood, chipboard, fibreboard, plywood and also these materials if (where) they are covered with plastic edging and/or plastic/light alloy laminates when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer including reasonably foreseeable misuse.
Note: BS EN 1870-5 does not apply to:
- Hand-held motor-operated electric tools or any adaptation permitting their use in a different mode, i.e. Bench mounting
- Machines set up on a bench or a table similar to a bench, which is intended to carry out work in a stationary position, capable of being lifted by one person by hand
Who is BS EN 1870-5 - Safety requirements for circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross cut sawing machines for?
BS EN 1870-5 on circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines is useful for:
- Circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines manufacturers and their authorized representatives
- Machine designers
- Importers
- Accident and hazard prevention organizations
- Quality control and testing authorities
- Safety departments
Why should you use BS EN 1870-5 - Safety requirements for circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines?
Circular saw bench/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machine are widely used tools for any workshop or woodworking factory that imparts high level of precision while cutting wood. While only skilled persons are entrusted with using such machines, it is also important for the manufacturer to ensure the equipment itself does not pose any risks to the operator, such that accidents and damage to the machine can be minimized. In this regard, BS EN 1870-5 has been prepared to be a harmonized standard to provide one means of conforming to the essential safety requirements of the Machinery Directive and associated EFTA regulations.
BS EN 1870-5 provides the best industry guidance on safety requirements and measures to minimize occupational risks and hazards associated with operating circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines.
BS EN 1870-5 covers measures and requirements for protection against mechanical and non-mechanical hazards. It also contains all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events identified by risk assessment as significant for the machines and which require action to eliminate or reduce the risk. The significant hazards and guidance on mitigating the same, include but are not limited to:
- Electrical hazards
- Hazards generated by noise and radiation
- Hazards from unexpected start-up, unexpected overrun/overspeed
- Failure of the power supply
- Hazards generated by neglecting ergonomic principles in machinery design
As a result, if you are a manufacturer of circular saw-benches/up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines, compliance with BS EN 1870-5 can ensure of the safety and protection of people working with these machines by preventing or minimizing the incidence of accidents. Ultimately, this can enable businesses to optimize operational safety thereby successfully completing tasks and projects in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
