This page decides
Which reach-path, aperture, stand-off, height and lower-edge information must be supplied for responsible guard design.
Guard geometry guide · no automatic calculation
Machine-Guarding Mesh Openings, Safety Distances & Floor Gaps
Connect openings, reach paths and hazard location before a guard panel or distance is approved.
Page responsibility
One page, one decision.
Use this guide for the stated decision, then move the result into the next project step.
This page does not decide
A universal safe opening, guard height, distance, floor gap, stopping distance or compliant layout for an unknown machine.
Carry forward
Issue the machine-specific hazard map and risk assessment to the integrator, then require a controlled drawing and evidence basis.
Direct answer
Opening and distance are one decision, not two catalogue fields.
A smaller aperture does not remove the need to locate the hazard and review every access path.
Safety distance depends on who may be exposed, the shape and size of the opening, whether reach is over, under, around or through the guard, the location of the hazard and the risk-reduction strategy. The lower edge, corners, cable penetrations, conveyor openings and interfaces with walls or machines can control the result even when the main panel looks suitable. Record the exact source table, edition, assumptions and responsible approval rather than publishing one generic mesh-and-distance pairing.
Input register
Measure the path a person can actually use.
Draw each condition; do not infer it from a product photograph.
| Input | Record | Supplier can coordinate | Responsible confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazard zone | Location, motion, energy, ejection and hazardous states. | Panel line, posts, penetrations and proposed interfaces. | Risk assessment and required risk reduction. |
| Reach path | Over, through, under, around, climbing or whole-body access. | Available guard geometry and detailed drawing. | Applicable safety-distance method and acceptance. |
| Openings | Mesh aperture, frame gaps, door clearances and service penetrations. | Manufacturing dimensions, tolerances and edge treatment. | Permitted opening and stand-off relationship. |
| Lower edge | Floor level, unevenness, drains, kerbs, cables and cleaning needs. | Bottom panel condition and adjustable interface options. | Allowed access, trip, hygiene and maintenance boundary. |
| Stopping / approach | Machine stopping behavior and foreseeable approach. | Space reservations and interface coordinates only. | Safeguard positioning and control-system response. |
Drawing method
Create a condition schedule instead of one nominal dimension.
Special bays and interfaces deserve their own IDs.
- 01
Mark the hazard envelope.
Use the approved machine and cell layout, including moving workpieces, tooling, conveyors and ejection paths.
- 02
Mark every foreseeable approach.
Include access during setup, cleaning, maintenance and fault recovery, not only the operator position during production.
- 03
Schedule openings and interfaces.
Give each mesh panel, door gap, floor gap, penetration and transition a reference that can be reviewed.
- 04
Freeze the evidence basis.
Record the governing documents, exact editions, approved assumptions, deviations and drawing revision before release.
Source map
Separate geometric reach from safeguard positioning.
Purchased standards and project-specific review control the final values.
official source
ISO 13857:2019
Safety-distance principles intended to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper and lower limbs.
Open →official sourceISO 13855:2024
Positioning safeguards with respect to approach of the human body; relevant where stopping and approach behavior enter the design.
Open →official sourceISO 14120:2015
Guard design and selection requirements for fixed and movable guards.
Open →official sourceOSHA machine guarding
Official overview of general guarding requirements and the need to prevent contact with dangerous moving parts.
Open →Next decisions
Carry geometry into access and controls.
A dimension schedule is incomplete until doors, abnormal tasks and restart behavior are coordinated.