Industrial machinery safety standards define the rules, requirements, and best practices that manufacturers, integrators, and end-users must follow to protect workers and meet legal and market expectations. These standards cover machine design, risk assessment, guarding, controls, electrical systems, signage, and functional safety of control systems. Compliance reduces accidents, improves productivity, and helps businesses enter global markets.

Categories of Safety Standards

Safety standards for industrial machinery generally fall into several interconnected categories:

1. Design and Risk Assessment Standards These set principles for designing machinery with safety in mind from the earliest concept phase.

2. Machine-Specific Safety Standards Standards tailored to particular types of machinery such as presses, saws, or conveyors.

3. Operational and Guarding Requirements Regulations focused on safeguarding workers during machine operation and maintenance.

4. Functional Safety of Control Systems Standards ensuring that safety-related control functions perform reliably under expected conditions.

5. Signage and Information Standards Requirements for hazard warnings and labels on equipment.

6. Electrical and Fire Safety Standards Standards for electrical systems integrated into industrial machinery.

Key International Standards

ISO Machinery Safety Series

• ISO 12100 – Safety of Machinery — Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction Provides a structured approach to identify hazards and apply protective measures throughout the machine lifecycle.

• ISO 13849 – Safety-Related Parts of Control Systems Defines design principles for safety functions in machinery control systems and guidelines for validating performance levels.

• ISO 14119 – Interlocking Devices Associated with Guards Specifies principles for selecting and designing interlocking safety guards to prevent access to hazardous zones.

• ISO 14123 – Reduction of Risks from Hazardous Substances Gives principles for reducing exposure to hazardous emissions from machinery.

Regional and National Standards

United States

OSHA Regulations

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212 – General Requirements for Machine Guarding Covers guarding of point-of-operation hazards, rotating parts, and nip points to protect operators and others in the machine area.

• OSHA Subpart O – Machinery and Machine Guarding Includes detailed requirements for woodworking machinery, power presses, abrasive wheels, and more.

OSHA standards are enforceable federal requirements that apply in industrial workplaces. Compliance often references consensus standards (ANSI/NFPA) to meet the regulatory intent.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

ANSI develops voluntary consensus safety standards widely recognized and often referenced by regulators:

• ANSI B11 Series – Safety of Machinery Includes foundational and machine-specific standards covering general principles, safeguarding criteria, and specific equipment types such as presses, shears, and forming machines.

• ANSI Z535 – Safety Signage and Communication Defines how to present safety warnings, hazard signage, and information to operators and maintenance personnel.

NFPA Standards

• NFPA 79 – Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery Provides electrical safety guidelines for industrial machines operating up to certain voltages, covering wiring, grounding, control reliability, and protective devices.

Functional Safety Standards

IEC and Machinery Sector Standards

• IEC 62061 – Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Control Systems Machinery-specific implementation of general functional safety principles, with requirements for safety integrity levels (SIL).

• IEC 61508 – Functional Safety of Safety-Related Systems A broad international standard establishing core requirements for functional safety across industries; applicable to industrial control and safety systems.

These standards guide how control systems must operate to maintain safety functions predictably and reduce risk to acceptable levels.

Machine Guarding and Operational Safety

Machine guarding standards are critical for preventing operator contact with hazardous areas:

• Mechanical Guards and Safety Devices Barriers, interlocks, two-hand control devices, fixed guards, and light curtains are specified to prevent access to dangerous moving parts.

• Task-Based Guarding Practices Standards such as ANSI B11 provide frameworks to analyze tasks, identify hazards, and implement appropriate safeguards.

Integrating Standards into Practice

Risk Assessment and Lifecycle Approach

Safety standards emphasize conducting a thorough risk assessment before commissioning new machinery, modifying existing equipment, or integrating automated systems. This assessment identifies hazards, assesses severity and likelihood, and determines necessary safeguards to reduce risk.

Documentation and Verification

Complying with safety standards requires documentation of design choices, risk assessment results, control system performance levels, and verification activities demonstrating that protective measures meet defined criteria.

Summary of Notable Standards

Adhering to these standards helps manufacturers and operators build safe machines, protect personnel, comply with legal obligations, and compete effectively in global markets. Regular review of applicable standards and updates is essential as technology and regulatory landscapes evolve.