BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

294:1992
Reprinted,
incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Safety of machinery —
Safety distances to
prevent danger zones
being reached by the
upper limbs

The European Standard EN 294:1992 has the status of a

British Standard

UDC 614.8:331.456:62.06-783.61
BS EN 294:1992

Cooperating organizations

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN), under whose supervision

this European Standard was prepared, comprises the national standards
organizations of the following countries:

Austria Oesterreichisches Normungsinstitut

Belgium Institut belge de normalisation
Denmark Dansk Standardiseringsraad
Finland Suomen Standardisoimisliito, r.y.
France Association française de normalisation
Germany Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.
Greece Hellenic Organization for Standardization
Iceland Technological Institute of Iceland
Ireland National Standards Authority of Ireland
Italy Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
Luxembourg Inspection du Travail et des Mines
Netherlands Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut
Norway Norges Standardiseringsforbund
Portugal Instituto Portuguès da Qualidade
Spain Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación
Sweden Standardiseringskommissionen i Sverige
Switzerland Association suisse de normalisation
United Kingdom British Standards Institution

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Machinery and
Components Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Board and comes
into effect on
Amendments issued since publication
15 September 1992
Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 10-1998
7655 March 1993 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference MCE/3
Draft for comment 89/78125 DC

ISBN 0 580 21142 8

 BS EN 294:1992

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 294 3
National annex NA (informative) Committees responsible Inside back cover
National annex NB (informative) Cross-reference Inside back cover

© BSI 10-1998 i
BS EN 294:1992

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Machinery
and Components Standards Policy Committee and is the English language
version of EN 294:1992 Safety of machinery — Safety distances to prevent danger
zones being reached by the upper limbs, published by the European Committee for
Standardization (CEN). EN 294 was produced as a result of international
discussions in which the United Kingdom took an active part.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 10, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 10-1998
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 294
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 1992

UDC 614.8:331.456:62.06-783.61

Descriptors: Safety of machinery, accident prevention, hazardous areas, distance, safety, dimensions

English version

Safety of machinery — Safety distances to prevent danger

zones being reached by the upper limbs

Sécurité des machines — Distances de sécurité Sicherheit von Maschinen —

pour empêcher l’atteinte des zones Sicherheitsabstände gegen das Erreichen von
dangereuses par les membres supérieurs Gefahrstellen mit den oberen Gliedmaßen

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1992-06-19. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© CEN 1992 Copyright reserved to CEN members Ref. No. EN 294:1992 E

EN 294:1992

Foreword Contents
At its constituent meeting in June 1985 Technical Page
Committee CEN/TC 114 “Safety of machinery” Foreword 2
decided to set up WG 2 “Safety distances”,
0 Introduction 3
Secretariat: DIN.
1 Scope 3
Based upon several national documents, especially
CEN/TC 114 N 12 (French Standard NF E 09-010), 2 Normative references 3
N 13 (German Standard DIN 31 001-1) and 3 Definitions 3
N 23 (Finnish general recommendations for 3.1 Protective structure 3
machines) and upon available reliable surveys of
anthropometric data, the group has prepared a draft 3.2 Safety distance 4
proposal and submitted it in July 1988 to the 4 Values for safety distances 4
Technical Committee. 4.1 General 4
The proposal takes into account machinery for 4.2 Reaching upwards 4
occupational and private purposes. It contains two 4.3 Reaching over protective structures 5
sets of figures for reaching upwards and reaching
down/reaching over distances. The latter led to 4.4 Reaching round 6
several comments and a long discussion at the 3rd 4.5 Reaching through openings 6
CEN/TC 114 meeting in November 1988 whether 5 Effect of additional protective
the two sets are needed and how they should be used structures on safety distances 10
for differing levels of safety. Figure 1 5
At the request of CEN/TC 114 delegates the group Figure 2 5
formulated a relevant covering statement at its 8th
meeting on December 6/7, 1988. Thus it was Figure 3 9
authorized to pass the document including the Table 1 4
statement to CEN/CS for the inquiry procedure. Table 2 5
At its 4th plenary meeting CEN/TC 114 authorized Table 3 7
WG 2 to revise prEN 294 with regard to the Table 4 8
comments received and to pass the modified version
in the three official languages to CEN/CS for formal Table 5 9
vote. Table 6 10
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
December 1992, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 1992.
According to the common CEN/CENELEC Rules,
being part of the Internal Regulations of CEN, the
following countries are bound to implement this
European Standard:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

2 © BSI 10-1998

0 Introduction
This standard has been prepared to be a
harmonized standard in the sense of the Machinery
Directive and associated EFTA regulations.
According to EN 292-1, in general machinery is said
to be safe if it is probable that the machinery can
continue to be operated, adjusted, maintained,
dismantled and disposed of under the conditions of
its intended use1) without causing injury or
damaging human health. Ways of achieving this
include
— risk reduction by design
— safeguarding measures
— information for use (signals, signs,
instructions)
— personal protective equipment
— safety measures taken by the users (safe
working procedures, organizational means
with respect to safety).
Means and measures to achieve safety have to
reflect the balance between
— the benefit of reduced risk
— the loss of other benefits needed to achieve
this.
The balance should provide an adequate level of
safety for the particular risk.
One method of eliminating or reducing risks caused
by machinery is to make use of safety distances
preventing danger zones from being reached by the
upper limbs.
In specifying safety distances a number of aspects
have to be taken into consideration, such as
— reach situations occurring when machinery is
being used,
— reliable surveys of anthropometric data,
taking into account ethnic groups likely to be
found in European countries,
— bio-mechanical facts, such as compression and
stretching of parts of the body and limits of
joint rotation,
— technical and practical aspects.
If these aspects are further developed the current
state of the art, reflected in this standard, may be
improved.
1) Definition of the term “Intended use” see EN 292-1.
© BSI 10-1998
EN 294:1992
1 Scope
This standard establishes values for safety
distances to prevent danger zones being reached by
the upper limbs of persons of 3 years of age and
above. The distances apply when adequate safety
can be achieved by distances alone.
NOTE These safety distances will not provide sufficient
protection against certain hazards, for example radiation and
emission of substances. For such hazards, additional or other
measures need to be taken.
The safety distances protect those persons who try
to reach danger zones without additional aid and
under the conditions specified for the different
reaching situations.
This standard need not be applied to machinery
which is covered by certain electrical standards in
which specific testing procedures are laid down,
e.g. using the test finger.
For certain applications there are justifiable
reasons to deviate from these safety distances.
Standards dealing with these applications shall
indicate how an adequate level of safety can be
achieved.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or
undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited
at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to or revisions
of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by
amendment or revision. For undated references the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
EN 292-1, Safety of machinery — Basic concepts,
general principles for design — Part 1: Basic
terminology, methodology.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the following
definitions apply in addition to the definitions given
in EN 292-1.
3.1
protective structure
a physical obstruction, e.g. guard, part of a machine,
which restricts the movement of the body and/or a
part of it
3
EN 294:1992

3.2 — No aids such as rods or tools are used to extend

safety distance the natural reach of the upper limbs.
the minimum distance a protective structure shall 4.1.2 Risk assessment
be placed from a danger zone Selection of the appropriate safety distances for
reaching upwards (see 4.2) or reaching over
4 Values for safety distances protective structures (see 4.3) shall be dependent on
4.1 General a risk assessment (for risk assessment
4.1.1 Assumptions see EN 292-1). The risk assessment shall be based
on the probability of occurrence of an injury and the
The safety distances have been derived by making foreseeable severity of that injury. An analysis of
the following assumptions: the technical and human elements on which the risk
— The protective structures and any openings in assessment is dependent is essential to achieve the
them retain their shape and position. appropriate selection from this standard.
— Safety distances are measured from the Example 1:
surface restricting the body or the relevant Where there is a low risk from a friction or abrasion
part of the body. hazard, Table 1 shall at least be used (see 4.3.2.1).
— That persons may force parts of the body over Example 2:
protective structures or through openings in
Where there is a high risk from an entanglement
an attempt to reach the danger zone.
hazard, Table 2 shall be used (see 4.3.2.2).
— The reference plane is a level at which persons
4.2 Reaching upwards (see Figure 1)
would normally stand but need not necessarily
be the floor, e.g. a working platform could be 4.2.1 If there is a low risk from the danger zone then
the reference plane. the height of the danger zone h shall be 2500 mm or
— No aids such as chairs or ladders are used to more.
change the reference plane.
Table 1
Dimensions in millimetres
Height of danger Height of protective structure b a
zone
a 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2500
Horizontal distance to danger zone c
2500b — — — — — — — — —
2400 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 —
2200 600 600 500 500 400 350 250 — —
2000 1100 900 700 600 500 350 — — —
1800 1100 1000 900 900 600 — — — —
1600 1300 1000 900 900 500 — — — —
1400 1300 1000 900 800 100 — — — —
1200 1400 1000 900 500 — — — — —
1000 1400 1000 900 300 — — — — —
800 1300 900 600 — — — — — —
600 1200 500 — — — — — — —
400 1200 300 — — — — — — —
200 1100 200 — — — — — — —
0 1100 200 — — — — — — —
a
Protective structures less than 1000 mm height are not included because they do not sufficiently restrict movement of the body.
b
For danger zones above 2500 mm refer to 4.2.

4 © BSI 10-1998
 EN 294:1992

Table 2
Dimensions in millimetres
Height of Height of protective structure b a
danger zone
a 1000 1200 1400c 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2500 2700
Horizontal distance to danger zone c
2700b — — — — — — — — — —
2600 900 800 700 600 600 500 400 300 100 —
2400 1100 1000 900 800 700 600 400 300 100 —
2200 1300 1200 1000 900 800 600 400 300 — —
2000 1400 1300 1100 900 800 600 400 — — —
1800 1500 1400 1100 900 800 600 — — — —
1600 1500 1400 1100 900 800 500 — — — —
1400 1500 1400 1100 900 800 — — — — —
1200 1500 1400 1100 900 700 — — — — —
1000 1500 1400 1000 800 — — — — — —
800 1500 1300 900 600 — — — — — —
600 1400 1300 800 — — — — — — —
400 1400 1200 400 — — — — — — —
200 1200 900 — — — — — — — —
0 1100 500 — — — — — — — —
a Protective structures less than 1000 mm height are not included because they do not sufficiently restrict movement of the body.
b
For danger zones above 2700 mm refer to 4.2.
c
Protective structures lower than 1 400 mm should not be used without additional safety measures.

4.3 Reaching over protective structures

4.3.1 Symbols
The following symbols are used (see Figure 2):
a Height of danger zone
b Height of protective structure
c Horizontal distance to danger zone

Figure 1

4.2.2 If there is a high risk (see 4.1.2) from the

danger zone, then
— either the height of the danger zone h
shall be 2700 mm or more,
— or other safety measures shall be used. Figure 2

© BSI 10-1998 5
EN 294:1992
4.3.2 Values
4.3.2.1 If there is a low risk (see 4.1.2) from a danger
zone the values given in Table 1 shall at least be
used.
There shall be no interpolation of the values in this
table (see 4.3.3). Consequently when the known
values of a, b or c are between two values in the
table, the values to be used are those which provide
the higher level of safety.
4.3.2.2 If there is a high risk (see 4.1.2) from a
danger zone, then
— either the values in Table 2 shall be used,
— or other safety measures shall be used.
There shall be no interpolation of the values in this
table (see 4.3.3). Consequently, when the known
values of a, b or c are between two values in the
table, the values to be used are those which provide
the higher level of safety.
4.3.3 Use of Table 1 and Table 2 with
intermediate values
The following examples explain the use of Table 1
and Table 2 when values other than those given in
the tables have to be used. For the purposes of the
examples the values of Table 1 are used.
Example 1:
To determine the height b of the protective structure
with a and c known.
The height a of the danger zone is 1500 mm and its
horizontal distance c from the proposed protective
structure is 700 mm.
Using Table 1 the height b of the protective
structure shall at least be 1800 mm.
Example 2:
To determine the horizontal distance c of the danger
zone with a and b known.
The height b of the protective structure is 1300 mm
and the height a of the danger zone is 2300 mm.
Using Table 1 the horizontal distance c of the
protective structure from the danger zone shall at
least be 600 mm.
6 © BSI 10-1998
Example 3:
To determine the height a of the danger zone with b
and c known.
The height b of the protective structure is 1700 mm
and the horizontal distance c from the danger zone
is 550 mm.
Using Table 1 the height a of the danger zone shall
not be between 1200 mm and 2200 mm.
4.4 Reaching round
Table 3 shows fundamental movements for persons
of 14 years of age and above (see also clause 5).
4.5 Reaching through openings
4.5.1 Regular openings for persons of 14 years
of age and above
Table 4 gives safety distances sr for regular
openings for persons of 14 years of age and above.
The dimensions of openings e correspond to the side
of a square opening, the diameter of a round opening
and the narrowest dimension of a slot opening.
For openings > 120 mm, safety distances in
accordance with 4.3 shall be used.
4.5.2 Regular openings for persons of 3 years of
age and above
Table 5 considers the smaller dimensions of the
thickness of the upper limbs and the behaviour of
persons of 3 years of age up to 14 years of age.
Persons above 14 years of age are also protected by
using this table.
The dimensions of openings e correspond to the side
of a square opening, the diameter of a round opening
and the narrowest dimension of a slot opening.
For openings >100 mm, safety distances in
accordance with 4.3 shall be used.
NOTE Measures for children’s protection against strangulation
are not the subject of this standard.
 EN 294:1992

Table 3
Dimensions in millimetres
Limitation of movement Safety distance sr Illustration
Limitation of movement only ≥850
at shoulder and armpit

Arm supported up to elbow ≥550

Arm supported up to wrist ≥230

Arm and hand supported up ≥130

to knuckle joint

A: range of movement of the arm.

1) Either the diameter of a round opening, or the side of a square opening, or the width of a slot opening.

© BSI 10-1998 7
EN 294:1992

Table 4
Dimensions in millimetres

Part of body Illustration Opening Safety distance sr

Slot Square Round

Fingertip e≤ 4 ≥ 2 ≥ 2 ≥ 2

4<e≤ 6 ≥ 10 ≥ 5 ≥ 5

Finger up to 6<e≤ 8 ≥ 20 ≥ 15 ≥ 5
knuckle joint
8<e≤ 10 ≥ 80 ≥ 25 ≥ 20

10 < e ≤ 12 ≥ 100 ≥ 80 ≥ 80

12 < e ≤ 20 ≥ 120 ≥ 120 ≥ 120

or
20 < e ≤ 30 ≥ 850a ≥ 120 ≥ 120

Hand

Arm up to 30 < e ≤ 40 ≥ 850 ≥ 200 ≥ 120

junction with
shoulder 40 < e ≤ 120 ≥ 850 ≥ 850 ≥ 850

a If the length of the slot opening is ≤65 mm the thumb will act as a stop and the safety distance can be reduced to 200 mm.

8 © BSI 10-1998
 EN 294:1992

Table 5
Dimensions in millimetres

Part of body Illustration Opening Safety distance sr

Slot Square Round

Fingertip e≤ 4 ≥ 2 ≥ 2 ≥ 2

4<e≤ 6 ≥ 20 ≥ 10 ≥ 10

Finger up to 6<e≤ 8 ≥ 40 ≥ 30 ≥ 20
knuckle joint
8 < e ≤ 10 ≥ 80 ≥ 60 ≥ 60

10 < e ≤ 12 ≥ 100 ≥ 80 ≥ 80

12 < e ≤ 20 ≥ 900a ≥ 120 ≥ 120

or

Hand

Arm up to junction 20 < e ≤ 40 ≥ 900 ≥ 550 ≥ 120

with shoulder
30 < e ≤ 100 ≥ 900 ≥ 900 ≥ 900

a
If the length of the slot opening is ≤ 40 mm the thumb will act as a stop and the safety distance can be reduced to 120 mm.

4.5.3 Irregular openings

In case of irregular openings the following steps
shall be carried out:
a) Determine first
— the diameter of the smallest round opening
and
— the side of the smallest square opening and
— the width of the narrowest slot opening
into which the irregular opening can be
completely inserted (see Figure 3).
b) Select the corresponding three safety distances
according to either Table 4 or Table 5.
c) The shortest safety distance of the three values
selected in b) may be used.
Figure 3

© BSI 10-1998 9
EN 294:1992

5 Effect of additional protective Protective structures and surfaces upon which the
structures on safety distances arm can rest may be inclined at any angle.
In Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 (1st illustration),
Table 4 and Table 5 the protective structures
referred to are located in one plane. It should be
borne in mind that additional protective structures
or surfaces which function as such can reduce the
free movement of the arm, the hand or the fingers
and can increase the zone where danger points can
be admissible. Examples of how this may be
achieved are shown in Table 3 and Table 6.

Table 6
Dimensions in millimetres
Limitation of movement Safety distance sr Illustration
Limitation of movement at sr1 ≥ 230
shoulder and armpit, two sr2 ≥ 550
separate protective structures, sr3 ≥ 850
one permits movement from
the wrist, the other permits
movement from the elbow

Limitation of movement at sr3 ≥ 850

shoulder and armpit, one sr4 ≥ 130
separate protective structure
which permits movement from
the fingers up to the knuckle
joint

10 © BSI 10-1998
 BS EN 294:1992

National annex NA (informative)

Committees responsible
The United Kingdom participation in the preparation of this European Standard was entrusted by the
Machinery and Components Standards Policy Committee (MCE/-) to Technical Committee MCE/3 upon
which the following bodies were represented:

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Institute

Agricultural Engineers Association
Association for Consumer Research (ACRE)
British Cable Makers Confederation
British Compressed Air Society
British Federation of Printing Machinery and Supplies Ltd.
British Rubber Manufacturers’ Association Ltd.
British Textile Machinery Association
Consumer Policy Committee of BSI
Department of Trade and Industry
Engineering Employers’ Federation
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association
Federation of Bakers
Health and Safety Executive
Institute of Materials Management
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Loss Prevention Council
METCOM
Machine Tool Technologies Association
Machinery Safety Equipment Manufacturers’ Association
Ministry of Defence
Society of Laundry Engineers and Allied Traders Limited
Trades Union Congress

National annex NB (informative)

Cross-reference
Publication referred to Corresponding British Standard
EN 292-1:1991 BS EN 292 Safety of machinery — Basic concepts, general principles for design
Part 1:1991 Basic terminology, methodology

© BSI 10-1998 11
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI Ð British Standards Institution
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It
|
| presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
| incorporated by Royal Charter.
|
|
| Revisions
|
|
| British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
|
| should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
|
|
| It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services. We
|
| would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
| British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
|
| the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover. Tel: 020 8996 9000.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7400.
|
|
| BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures that
|
| subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
|
|
| Buying standards
|
| Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
|
| addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
|
|
| In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the BSI
|
| implementation of those that have been published as British Standards, unless
|
| otherwise requested.
|
|
| Information on standards
|
| BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and international
|
| standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters Service. Various
|
| BSI electronic information services are also available which give details on all its
|
| products and services. Contact the Information Centre. Tel: 020 8996 7111.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7048.
|
|
| Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments and
| receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details of
|
| these and other benefits contact Membership Administration. Tel: 020 8996 7002.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7001.
|
|
| Copyright
|
|
| Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the UK, of
|
| the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as permitted
| under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced,
|
| stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means ± electronic,
|
| photocopying, recording or otherwise ± without prior written permission from BSI.
|
|
| This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of
|
| necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
|
| details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
| written permission of BSI must be obtained.
|
|
| If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing
|
| agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
|
| Tel: 020 8996 7070.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI |
|
389 Chiswick High Road |
|
London |
|
W4 4AL |
|
|
|
|
|
|