What is BS EN 1870-9 – Safety requirements for double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting about?
BS EN 1870 is a European Standard that discusses the safety of woodworking machines. The main aim of the BS EN 1870 series is to provide manufacturers with the best industry requirements that help minimize the risk of occupational hazards that may occur while operating woodworking machines.
BS EN 1870-9 is the ninth part of the BS EN 1870 series of standards deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations, and events which are relevant to double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting with an integrated feed of the saw units and with manual loading and/or unloading, hereinafter referred to as 'machines'. These are machines designed to cut solid wood, chipboard, fibreboard, and plywood, and also these materials when covered with plastic edging and/or plastic/light alloy laminate, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer including reasonably foreseeable misuse.
Note 1: BS EN 1870-9 does not apply to:
- Machines for cross cutting logs
- Double blade up-cutting cross-cut sawing machines
Note 2: BS EN 1870-8 is not applicable to machines manufactured before its date of publication as EN.
Who is BS EN 1870-9 - Safety requirements for double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting for?
BS EN 1870-9 on double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting is useful for:
- Double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting 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 1870-9 - Safety requirements for double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting?
Double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting 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 1870-9 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 1870-9 provides the best industry guidance on safety requirements and measures to minimize occupational risks and hazards associated with operating double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting.
BS EN 1870-9 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 double blade circular sawing machines for cross-cutting, compliance with BS EN 1870-9 can ensure 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.
