What is BS EN 13683 - Safety requirements for integrally powered shredders/chippers about?
BS EN 13683 is a standard that serves technical specifications for safety requirements for integrally powered shredders/chippers, ensuring operational safety and performance in gardening applications.
BS EN 13683 specifies safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of hand-fed shredders/chippers with an integral power source and with or without vacuum-assisted collection, which are designed primarily to reduce organic material to smaller pieces.
BS EN 13683 is only applicable to shredders/chippers that are designed for use outdoors in a stationary position by an operator standing on the ground.
BS EN 13683 applies to shredders/chippers with feed intake openings or segments, in this standard referred to as feed safety openings and being of any shape complying with the safety distance requirements of this standard with regard to contact with the cutting means, that in total will fit into a square of 250 mm × 250 mm measured at the plane of the opening.
Note: BS EN 13683 does not cover -
- Units driven by an external power source
- Mobile use of units which can be used in both stationary and mobile modes
- Units with powered discharge intended to broadcast material or load vehicles
- Units with separate mechanically powered feed intake or attachments
- Electrically powered and battery-powered shredders/chippers
- Environmental hazards and electromagnetic compatibility
Who is BS EN 13683 - Safety requirements for integrally powered shredders/chippers for?
BS EN 13683 on safety requirements for integrally powered shredders/chippers applies to:
- Manufacturers of integrally powered shredders/chippers
- Dealers and importers of integrally powered shredders/chippers
- Testing houses for integrally powered shredders/chippers
- Safety assurance services
Why should you use BS EN 13683 - Safety requirements for integrally powered shredders/chippers?
A shredder is meant to deal with all of the material cut from a tree or bush, whereas a chipper is designed to handle waste wood first and foremost. These gardening equipment are complex machines that facilitate heavy mechanical tasks, so ensuring their safety is important for operability and usability in gardening applications.
BS EN 13683 provides users with the methods of eliminating or reducing hazards arising from the use of shredders/chippers. In addition, it specifies the type of information to be provided by the manufacturer on safe working practices.
BS EN 13683 provides users guidance on safety requirements for integrally powered shredders/chippers, including access to power-driven components, hot exhaust surfaces, controls, protection from exhaust fumes, electrical requirements, and more, enabling the development of safety mechanisms for the protection of operators and equipment.
With obedience and compliance of BS EN 13683, users can develop and assess integrally powered shredders and chippers, ensuring operational stability, risk reductions and protection in gardening applications.