Australian Standard AS4024 - Safeguarding of Machinery

A perimeter or fence guard is a stationary guard which completely surrounds a machine. It may incorporate part of the machine as part of the fence. Fence guards are often fitted with an interlocked gate or gates, interlocked to the control system.

• Safety distances between the hazard and the physical barrier should be maintained to prevent people from encroaching into the danger zone. Reaching over, reaching through and reacing under must be considered when implementing machine safety guards.
  (AS4024.1 Appendix A)



• Guarding shall be selected and arranged to provide a rigid and stable structure and to resist deformation.
  (AS4024.1 clause 8.3.2)



• Physical barriers shall only be able to be removed or adjusted with the use of tools not normally available to operators.
  (AS4024.1 clause 8.1)

Mesh Aperture

Safe Zone has a mesh aperture of 22mm x 22mm which allows the fence to be located right up to 120mm from the hazard.

Height and Distances

• Safe Zone has a panel height of 2000mm.
• Hazards between 2000mm and 2200mm above ground require a safety distance of 350mm.
• Hazards between 2200mm and 2400mm above ground require a safety distance of 100mm.

Clearances

Safe Zone provides a clearance of 200mm between the bottom of the panel and ground level for cleaning purposes. Where a hazard is located in the lower areas of the machine, the potential to reach under and around must be considered. Custom panels or the fence location can ensure correct safety distances.