prEN 415-4

Safety of packaging machines - Part 4: Palletizers and depalletizers and associated equipment

This standard specifies the safety requirements for the design, manufacture and information for safe use of palletisers, depalletisers, and stackers/unstackers of empty pallets integrated or not into a (de)palletiser as defined in 3.1. In many respects palletisers and depalletisers present the same risks. In this text they are referred to together as (de)palletisers. For manipulating industrial robots used in (de)palletiser applications this standard and EN 775 apply. These safety requirements apply to automatic and semi-automatic (de)palletisers. They take into account the hazards which may occur during setting, commissioning and decommissioning, adjustment, use according to the information given by the manufacturer, maintenance (both preventive and repair) and cleaning. This standard does not cover the following hazards which can occur on (de)palletisers in certain circumstances: - Heat; - Noise; - Radiation; - Fumes, gas, dust; - Vibration; - Ergonomics (see EN 614-1:1995). Furthermore this standard does not cover hazards arising from contents of the load (e.g. toxic or flammable materials). Linked equipment, before and after the (de)palletiser, which is not an integral part of (de)palletising machinery, (for example pallet load securing) is not covered by this standard. This standard applies primarily to the machines which are manufactured after the date of issue of the standard (see EN 415-4:1997)

Sicherheit von Verpackungsmaschinen - Teil 4: Palettierer und Depalettierer und zugehörige Ausrüstungen

Dieses Dokument gilt für die folgenden Gruppen von Maschinen, Hilfseinrichtungen und Kombinationen daraus:
-   Palettierer;
-   Depalettierer;
-   Hilfseinrichtungen, die in Palettierer und Depalettierer integriert oder mit deren Arbeitsprozess verbunden sind;
-   Fördersysteme, die Bestandteil von Palettierern oder Depalettierern sind.
Die einzelnen Maschinen sind in 3.2 beschrieben. Hilfseinrichtung ist in 3.3 beschrieben.
Für alle Verpackungsmaschinen im Anwendungsbereich dieses Dokuments gilt auch EN 415 10. EN 415 4 beschreibt die zusätzlichen oder spezifischen Gefahren für Palettierer und Depalettierer. Die Anforderungen dieses Dokuments haben Vorrang vor den Anforderungen in EN 415 10.
Dieses Dokument befasst sich mit den Sicherheitsanforderungen für die Konstruktion, den Transport, die Installation, die Inbetriebnahme, den Betrieb, dase Einrichten, die Instandhaltung und die Reinigung von Palettierern, Depalettierern, Hilfseinrichtungen und Fördersysteme, die Teil der Palettierer oder Depalettierer sind. Der Umfang, in dem Gefährdungen, Gefährdungssituationen und Ereignisse abgedeckt sind, ist in Abschnitt 4 angegeben.
ANMERKUNG   Die Gefährdungen an einer bestimmten Maschine können je nach deren Funktionsprinzip, dem Typ, Größe und Masse des Produkts, dem Verpackungsmaterial, den mit der Maschine verbundenen Hilfseinrichtungen und der Umgebung, in der die Maschine eingesetzt wird, variieren. Wenn von der Maschine Gefährdungen ausgehen, die nicht von diesem Dokument oder EN 415 10 abgedeckt sind, ist beabsichtigt, dass der Hersteller diese Gefährdungen bewertet und Maßnahmen nach den in EN ISO 12100 angegebenen Grundsätzen ergreift.
Ausschlüsse:
Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für die folgenden Maschinen:
-   Maschinen, bei denen die Lage manuell auf der Palette oder der Palettenladung ohne Lagenbildung und Lagentransfer aufgebaut wird;
-   Maschinen, die vor dem Datum der Veröffentlichung dieses Dokuments durch CEN hergestellt wurden;
-   Förderbänder, die Palettierer und Depalettierer mit Maschinen verbinden, die nicht Teil dieses Dokuments sind.
Förderbänder im Geltungsbereich dieses Dokuments fallen ebenfalls unter den Geltungsbereich von EN 619. Diese Norm beschreibt die zusätzlichen oder spezifischen Gefährdungen für Förderbänder, die in Palettierern und Depalettierern eingebaut sind, daher haben die Anforderungen dieses Dokuments Vorrang vor den Anforderungen von EN 619.
Dieses Dolument berücksichtigt nicht die folgenden Gefährdungen:
-   die Nutzung von Palettierern und Depalettierern in explosionsgefährdeten Atmosphären;
-   Gesundheits-, Sicherheits- oder Hygienegefährdungen in Verbindung mit den Produkten, die in der von Palettierern und Depalettierern gehandhabten Ladeeinheit enthalten sind, außer im Hinblick auf mögliche Fehlfunktionen, die zum Verschütten gefährlicher Substanzen führen können.

Sécurité des machines d'emballage - Partie 4 : Pallettiseurs, dépalettiseurs et équipement associé

Le présent document s’applique aux groupes de machines suivants, ainsi qu'aux équipements auxiliaires et à leurs combinaisons :
-   palettiseurs ;
-   dépalettiseurs ;
-   équipements auxiliaires intégrés ou associés aux opérations des palettiseurs et des dépalettiseurs ;
-   systèmes de convoyage faisant partie de palettiseurs ou de dépalettiseurs.
Les machines individuelles sont décrites en 3.2. Les équipements auxiliaires sont décrits en 3.3.
Pour toutes les machines d’emballage entrant dans le domaine d’application du présent document, l’EN 415-10 s’applique également. L’EN 415-4 décrit les phénomènes dangereux supplémentaires ou spécifiques associés aux palettiseurs et aux dépalettiseurs. Les prescriptions du présent document prévalent sur les prescriptions stipulées dans l’EN 415-10.
Le présent document traite des prescriptions de sécurité applicables à la conception des machines, au transport, au montage, à la mise en service, à l’exploitation, à l’entretien et au nettoyage des palettiseurs, dépalettiseurs, équipements auxiliaires et systèmes de convoyage faisant partie des palettiseurs ou des dépalettiseurs. L’étendue des phénomènes, situations et événements dangereux couverts est indiquée à l’Article 4.
NOTE   Les phénomènes dangereux d’une machine spécifique peuvent varier en fonction de son principe de fonctionnement, du type, des dimensions et de la masse du produit, du matériau d’emballage, des équipements auxiliaires fixés à la machine et de l’environnement dans lequel la machine est utilisée. Si la machine présente des phénomènes dangereux qui ne sont pas couverts par le présent document ou par l’EN 415-10, il est prévu que le fabricant évalue ces phénomènes dangereux et prenne des mesures dans le respect des principes décrits dans l’EN ISO 12100.
Exclusions :
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux machines suivantes :
-   machines dans lesquelles la couche est constituée manuellement sur la palette ou la charge palettisée sans formation de couches ni transfert de couche ;
-   machines fabriquées avant la date de publication du présent document par le CEN ;
-   convoyeurs qui relient des palettiseurs et des dépalettiseurs à des machines qui n’entrent pas dans le domaine d’application du présent document.
Les convoyeurs couverts par le présent document entrent également dans le domaine d’application de l’EN 619.
Le présent document décrit les phénomènes dangereux supplémentaires ou particuliers associés aux convoyeurs montés sur des palettiseurs et des dépalettiseurs, et, par conséquent, les prescriptions du présent document prévalent sur celles de l’EN 619.
Le présent document ne traite pas des phénomènes dangereux suivants :
-   l’utilisation de palettiseurs et dépalettiseurs dans des atmosphères explosives ;
-   les phénomènes dangereux pour la santé, la sécurité ou l’hygiène qui sont associés aux produits contenus dans la charge unitaire manipulée par des palettiseurs et dépalettiseurs, sauf en ce qui concerne un dysfonctionnement possible d’une machine provoquant le déversement de substances dangereuses.

Pakirne naprave - Varnost pakirnih naprav - 4. del: Stroji za nakladanje in razkladanje palet ter pripadajoča oprema

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 24-Aug-2020
• Withdrawal Date: 24-Feb-2021
• ICS: 55.200 - Packaging machinery
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 146 - Packaging machines - Safety
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 146/WG 3 - Palletizing machines - Particular requirements for safety
• Current Stage: 4098 - Decision to abandon - Enquiry
• Start Date: 13-Mar-2020
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2025
• Directive: 2006/42/EC - Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)
• Mandate: M/396 - Mandate to CEN and Cenelec for standardisation in the field of machinery
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 415-4:2019 - Safety of packaging machines - Part 4: Palletizers and depalletizers and associated equipment

Relations

• Revises: EN 415-4:1997 - Safety of packaging machines - Part 4: Palletisers and depalletisers
• Effective Date: 05-Mar-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2019
3DNLUQHQDSUDYH9DUQRVWSDNLUQLKQDSUDYGHO6WURML]DQDNODGDQMHLQ
UD]NODGDQMHSDOHWWHUSULSDGDMRþDRSUHPD
Safety of packaging machines - Part 4: Palletizers and depalletizers and associated
equipment
Sicherheit von Verpackungsmaschinen - Teil 4: Palettierer und Depalettierer und
zugehörige Ausrüstungen
Sécurité des machines d'emballage - Partie 4 : Pallettiseurs, dépalettiseurs et
équipement associé
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 415-4
ICS:
55.200 Pakirni stroji Packaging machinery
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
January 2019
ICS 55.200 Will supersede EN 415-4:1997
English Version
Safety of packaging machines - Part 4: Palletizers and
depalletizers and associated equipment
Sécurité des machines d'emballage - Partie 4 : Sicherheit von Verpackungsmaschinen - Teil 4:
Pallettiseurs et dépalettiseurs et èquipement associé Palettierer und Depalettierer und zugehörige
Ausrüstungen
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 146.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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 CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 415-4:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 9
3.1 Definitions . 9
3.2 Description of palletizers and depalletizers . 10
3.3 Description of auxiliary equipment . 11
3.4 Definition of zones . 12
4 Hazards on palletizers, depalletizers and auxiliary equipment . 14
4.1 General . 14
4.2 Semiautomatic stripper plate palletizer . 16
4.3 Automatic low level palletizer or depalletizer . 17
4.4 High level palletizer and depalletizers. 19
4.5 Pick and place palletizer and depalletizer and colunm pick and place palletizer or
depalletizer . 23
4.6 Robot palletizer or depalletizer . 25
4.7 Case packer palletizer . 27
4.8 Multi station palletizing system . 28
4.9 Mechanical gripping head . 31
4.10 Vacuum gripping head . 32
4.11 Magnetic gripping head . 33
4.12 Gripping head with roller curtain . 34
4.13 Pallet stacker /destacker . 36
4.14 Pallet changer . 37
4.15 Grouping and ungrouping unit . 38
4.16 Device for loading or unloading of layer pads . 40
4.17 Pallet size/weight checker. 41
4.18 Pallet condition checker . 42
5 Safety requirements and/or protective measures for palletizers, depalletizers and
associated equipment . 43
5.1 General requirements . 43
5.2 Safety requirement for semiautomatic stripper plate palletizer . 56
5.3 Safety requirements for an automatic low level palletizer or depalletizer . 56
5.4 Safety requirement for high level palletizer or depalletizer . 57
5.5 Safety requirement for automatic column pick and place palletizer and depalletizer . 58
5.6 Safety requirements for a robot palletizer or depalletizers . 58
5.7 Requirement for a case-packer palletizer . 59
5.8 Requirements for multi station palletizer served by AGV . 59
5.9 Requirements for a mechanical gripping head . 63
5.10 Requirements for vacuum gripping head. 64
5.11 Requirements for a magnetic gripping head. 64
5.12 Requirement for a roller curtain . 65
5.13 Requirements for a pallet stacker/destacker . 65
5.14 Requirements for a pallet changer . 68
5.15 Requirements for pallets grouping and ungrouping machines . 69
5.16 Requirements for device to insert or remove layer sheet . 70
5.17 Requirements for a pallet size or weight checker . 71
5.18 Requirements for a pallet condition checker . 71
6 Verification of safety requirements and measures . 71
6.1 General . 71
6.2 Verification procedures . 72
7 Information . 74
7.1 General . 74
7.2 Instruction . 74
Annex A (informative) Method for assessing the stability of loads staked on a pallet . 75
A.1 General . 75
A.2 Prevention of slipping . 75
A.3 Prevention of overturn . 76
A.4 Evaluation of the horizontal forces (inertia effects). 77
Annex B (normative) Noise test code . 78
B.1 Introduction. 78
B.2 Terms and definitions . 78
B.3 General . 78
B.4 Determination of emission sound pressure level at the work station . 78
B.5 Determination of the sound power level . 78
B.6 Alternative method for very large machines . 79
B.7 Installation and mounting conditions . 79
B.8 Operating conditions . 79
B.9 Information to be recorded . 79
B.10 Information to be reported . 79
B.11 Declaration and verification of noise emission values . 80
B.12 Typical measuring positions for sound pressure level . 81
Annex C (informative) Design criteria for the safety of multi station palletizer served by
AGV . 83
Annex D (informative) Safety aspects for integrated palletizing system . 84
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC aimed to be covered . 86
Bibliography . 89

European foreword
This document (prEN 415-4:2018) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 146 “Packaging
machines - Safety”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 415-4:1997.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC.
For relationship with EU Directive, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
This document is part of the series EN 415, Safety of packaging machines, which consists of the following
parts:
— Part 1: Terminology and classification of packaging machines and associated equipment;
— Part 2: Pre-formed rigid container packaging machines;
— Part 3: Form, fill and seal machines;
— Part 5: Wrapping machines;
— Part 6: Pallet wrapping machines;
— Part 7: Group and secondary packaging machines;
— Part 8: Strapping machine;
— Part 9: Noise measurement methods for packaging machines, packaging lines and associated
equipment, grade of accuracy 2 and 3;
— Part 10: General requirements.
Introduction
This document is a type C standard as defined in the introduction of ISO EN 12100:2010.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and events are covered
are indicated in the scope of this European Standard.
When provisions of this type C standard are different from those that are stated in type A or B standards,
the provisions of this type C standard take precedence.
1 Scope
This document applies to the following groups of machines, auxiliary equipment and their combinations:
— palletizers;
— depalletizers;
— auxiliary equipment incorporated in or linked to the operations of palletizers and depalletizers;
— conveying system which are part of palletizers or depalletizers.
The individual machines are described in 3.2. Auxiliary equipment is described in 3.3.
For all packaging machines within the scope of this document, EN 415-10 also applies. EN 415-4 describes
the additional or specific hazards for palletizers and depalletizers. The requirements of this document
will take precedence over the requirements set out in EN 415-10.
This document deals with safety requirements for machine design, transport, installation,
commissioning, operation, adjustment, maintenance and cleaning of palletizers, depalletizers, auxiliary
equipment and conveying systems which are part of palletizer or depalletizer. The extent to which
hazards, hazardous situations and events are covered are indicated in Clause 4.
NOTE The hazards on a specific machine can vary depending on its working principle, the type, size and mass
of the product, the packaging material, auxiliary equipment attached to the machine and the environment in which
the machine is used. If the machine presents hazards that are not covered by this document or EN 415-10, it is
intended that the manufacturer will assess these hazards and take measures by using the principles detailed in
EN ISO 12100.
Exclusions:
This document is not applicable to the following machines:
— machines where the layer is built manually on the pallet or pallet load without layer forming and
layer transfer;
— machines that were manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN;
— conveyors that connect palletizers and depalletizers with machines that are not in the scope of this
document.
Conveyors in the scope of this document also fall in the scope of EN 619.
This document describes the additional or specific hazards for conveyors fitted into palletizers and
depalletizers and so the requirements of this document take precedence over the requirements of
EN 619.
This document does not consider the following hazards:
— the use of palletizers and depalletizers in potentially explosive atmospheres;
— the health, safety or hygiene hazards associated with the products that are contained in the unit load
handled by palletizers and depalletizers except with regard to possible malfunction of a machine
causing spillage of hazardous substances.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 415-1:2014, Safety of packaging machines - Part 1: Terminology and classification of packaging
machines and associated equipment
EN 415-9:2009, Safety of packaging machines - Part 9: Noise measurement methods for packaging
machines, packaging lines and associated equipment, grade of accuracy 2 and 3
EN 415-10:2014, Safety of packaging machines - Part 10: General Requirements
EN 619:2002+A1:2010, Continuous handling equipment and systems - Safety and EMC requirements for
equipment for mechanical handling of unit loads
EN 1005-3:2002+A1:2008, Safety of machinery - Human physical performance - Part 3: Recommended
force limits for machinery operation
EN 13155:2003+A2:2009, Cranes - Safety - Non-fixed load lifting attachments
EN 60204-1:2016, Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 1: General requirements
(IEC 60204-1:2016)
EN 61496-1:2013, Safety of machinery - Electro-sensitive protective equipment - Part 1: General
requirements and tests (IEC 61496-1:2012)
EN 61496-2:2013, Safety of machinery - Electro-sensitive protective equipment - Part 2: Particular
requirements for equipment using active opto-electronic protective devices (AOPDs) (IEC 61496-2:2013)
EN 62061:2005, Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and
1)
programmable electronic control systems (IEC 62061:2005)
EN ISO 3744:2010, Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources
using sound pressure - Engineering methods for an essentially free field over a reflecting plane (ISO
3744:2010)
EN ISO 3746:2010, Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources
using sound pressure - Survey method using an enveloping measurement surface over a reflecting plane (ISO
3746:2010)
EN ISO 3747:2010, Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources
using sound pressure - Engineering/survey methods for use in situ in a reverberant environment (ISO
3747:2010)
EN ISO 4871:2009, Acoustics - Declaration and verification of noise emission values of machinery and
equipment (ISO 4871:1996)
1) This document is impacted by the amendments EN 62061:2005/A1:2013 and EN 62061:2005/A2:2015.
EN ISO 9614-2:1996, Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound intensity
- Part 2: Measurement by scanning (ISO 9614-2:1996)
EN ISO 10218-1:2011, Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots - Part 1:
Robots (ISO 10218-1:2011)
EN ISO 10218-2:2011, Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots - Part 2: Robot
systems and integration (ISO 10218-2:2011)
EN ISO 11201:2010, Acoustics - Noise emitted by machinery and equipment - Determination of emission
sound pressure levels at a work station and at other specified positions in an essentially free field over a
reflecting plane with negligible environmental corrections (ISO 11201:2010)
EN ISO 11202:2010, Acoustics - Noise emitted by machinery and equipment - Determination of emission
sound pressure levels at a work station and at other specified positions applying approximate environmental
corrections (ISO 11202:2010)
EN ISO 11204:2010, Acoustics - Noise emitted by machinery and equipment - Determination of emission
sound pressure levels at a work station and at other specified positions applying accurate environmental
corrections (ISO 11204:2010)
EN ISO 11161:2007, Safety of machinery - Integrated manufacturing systems - Basic requirements (ISO
2)
11161:2007)
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery - General principles for design - Risk assessment and risk reduction
(ISO 12100:2010)
EN ISO 12001:2009, Acoustics - Noise emitted by machinery and equipment - Rules for the drafting and
presentation of a noise test code (ISO 12001:1996)
EN ISO 13849-1:2015, Safety of machinery - Safety-related parts of control systems - Part 1: General
principles for design (ISO 13849-1:2015)
EN ISO 13855:2010, Safety of machinery - Positioning of safeguards with respect to the approach speeds of
parts of the human body (ISO 13855:2010)
EN ISO 13857:2008, Safety of machinery - Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper
and lower limbs (ISO 13857:2008)
EN ISO 14122-2:2016, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 2: Working
platforms and walkways (ISO 14122-2:2016)
EN ISO 14122-3:2016, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 3: Stairs,
stepladders and guard-rails (ISO 14122-3:2016)
ISO 7010:2011, Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Registered safety signs

2) This document is impacted by the amendment EN ISO 11161:2007/A1:2010.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in Clause 3 of EN ISO 12100:2010,
EN 415-1:2014, EN 415-10:2014 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1
to palletize
operation of placing one or more unit loads on a pallet or similar support
3.1.2
to depalletize
separation of a palletized load into individual unit loads
3.1.3
layer
arrangement of unit loads in a horizontal plane
3.1.4
layer sheet
(layer pad or intermediate layer) sheet of material placed between layers to stabilize a pallet load
3.1.5
layer pattern
disposition of the unit loads in a layer
3.1.6
pallet
rigid horizontal platform designed to be handled by pallet trucks, fork-lift trucks or other appropriate
handling equipment, and used as a base for assembling, loading, storing, handling, stacking, transporting,
or displaying goods and loads.
Note 1 to entry: The pallet may be constructed with, or fitted with, a superstructure.
3.1.7
pallet load
arrangement of unit loads placed on a pallet or slip sheet
3.1.8
porous vacuum plate
plate made of porous material which holds a product by means of a vacuum
3.1.9
row
horizontal line of unit loads
3.1.10
slip sheet
thin flat piece of material used to support a pallet load
3.1.11
stack
vertical column of unit loads
3.1.12
integrator
entity who designs, provides, manufactures or assembles an integrated manufacturing system and is in
charge of the safety strategy, including the protective measures, control interfaces and interconnections
of the control system.
Note 1 to entry: The integrator may be a manufacturer, engineering company or the user.
3.1.13
integrated palletizing system
group of machines working together in a coordinated manner, linked by material handling system, and
interconnected by controls for the purpose of palletize or depalletize pallets
3.2 Description of palletizers and depalletizers
3.2.1 General
This clause describes the working principles of typical configurations of palletizers and depalletizers.
Variations of these typical assemblies also exist.
3.2.2 Semi-automatic stripper plate palletizer
An operator forms the unit loads into the layer pattern on a stripper plate manually and then presses a
start button. The machine then transfers the layer on to the pallet, the stripper plate retracts, deposits
the layer on the pallet and then returns to the layer forming position automatically.
3.2.3 Automatic low-level stripper plate palletizer or depalletizer
Layers of products are formed at one level, either at low or high level, transferred by pushing onto a
stripper plate which raises or lowers to the appropriate level and transfers the layers onto the pallet. The
pallet remains at one level while the pallet load is formed. For depalletizers, layers of packages are
gripped and swept onto a stripper plate which moves to the level of a receiving table where the layer is
deposited. The pallet remains in a fixed position while the pallet load is being dismantled.
3.2.4 Automatic high-level palletizer or depalletizer
Layers of packages are formed at one level usually a high level and transferred onto the pallet which is
raised and then lowered as the pallet forms. A depalletizer operates in reverse: layers of packages are
gripped and moved from a pallet onto a receiving table, usually positioned at high level. The height of the
pallet is raised as the pallet is dismantled.
3.2.5 Pick and place palletizer or depalletizer (Gantry type)
Palletizer in which products are gripped, lifted, transferred to the loading position and then lowered onto
the pallet load with linear movements and a rotation of the end effector.
NOTE The pallet/load remains at one level while it is being loaded.
3.2.6 Pick and place palletizer or depalletizer (Column type)
Pick-and-place palletizer in which the product lifting device is supported on a column and can move up
and down the column or rotate around the column. A rotation of the end effector may also exist.
NOTE Column palletizers can pick up packages one at a time, or a row at a time, or a layer at a time. Unit loads
are generally conveyed to the machine at low level but certain designs have an input of unit loads at high level.
Typically, there is a spacing conveyor, an orientation device and a raw or layer preparation table for unit loads. The
column palletizer is suitable for systems where more than one pallet are loaded from one or more sources. Pallets
are transported through the machine by a conveyor. The machine may combine the loading and unloading in a single
compact installation.
3.2.7 Stack palletizer
Palletizer which creates stacks of packages, e.g. crates which are then transferred to the pallet as a group.
3.2.8 Robot palletizer and depalletizer
Palletizer or depalletizer which uses an industrial robot to perform some or all sequential operations for
palletizing or depalletizing unit loads.
Robot palletizers can pick up products one at a time, a row at a time or a layer at a time. In some
installations the robot also positions the pallet or the layer sheets
3.2.9 Case-packer-palletizer
A machine which combines the operations of case-packing and palletizing in one machine.
3.2.10 Multi-station palletizing system
Palletizer in which two or more pallet loads of products are formed in the same machine.
NOTE The pallet loads are loaded and/or unloaded by an industrial truck, e.g. AGV or fork lift truck or directly
to a conveyor system.
3.3 Description of auxiliary equipment
3.3.1 General
This clause describes the working principle of typical auxiliary equipment used in palletizers and
depalletizers.
3.3.2 Mechanical gripper
These have mechanical elements which support or clamp the unit load, set of products, empty pallet or
layer sheet. The clamping action may employ the following methods:
a) positive action;
b) friction between the fingers or plates and the loads;
c) friction between the loads;
d) pressure by an inflatable element.
3.3.3 Vacuum gripping head
Product is lifted by several suction cups or by a porous vacuum plate which applies a vacuum to the
surface of the product.
3.3.4 Magnetic gripping head
Products made of magnetic material are lifted using electromagnetic force.
3.3.5 Gripping head with roller curtain
Products are transferred onto a roller curtain which is then lifted and moved over a pallet. The roller
curtain is then retracted leaving the products on the pallet.
3.3.6 Pallet stacker/pallet destacker
The machine dispenses empty pallets from a stack or accepts single empty pallets and places them in a
stack.
3.3.7 Pallet changer
The machine removes a pallet load from a pallet so that it can be placed on another pallet.
3.3.8 Pallets grouping and ungrouping units
Pallets are fed by a forklift truck onto a roller conveyor which stores, sorts and delivers the pallets to
various loading stations. Pallets may turn and move in all directions. The system may handle empty or
full pallets.
3.3.9 Device for insertion or removal of layer sheets
Machine or attachment which places layer sheets onto layers of products or the pallet; as the pallet load
is formed or removes layer sheets as a pallet load is dismantled.
NOTE The layer sheet magazine can be inside the interior zone or in a separate control zone.
3.3.10 Pallet checkers
3.3.10.1 Pallet size/weight checker
This equipment may consist of a roller conveyor with load cells for weighing pallets, or another control
station, usually equipped with photoelectric equipment, to check the size of the palletized load.
NOTE This equipment is often combined with a labelling machine or devices for the selection and sorting of
the pallets. It is normally part of a palletizing system.
3.3.10.2 Pallet condition checker
This equipment checks various attributes of the pallet, e.g. presence of boards, free space or stringers in
bad condition.  If a pallet does not meet the quality requirements, it is rejected.
3.4 Definition of zones
The zones of a palletizer or depalletizer are classified in Figure 1 but may differ in the real situations. The
zones are defined in the instruction manual and the inside zone shall be made evident with warning
signals placed on the machine.
For the description of the safety measures it is useful to define the relevant zone of typical palletizer or
depalletizer which, in general, are:
1) Open space (circulation zone): it is the space around the palletizers where the operators may be
present, even not very often;
2) Operative zone (working zone): it is the space where the operators are present during normal
operations (e.g. operator panel) and which is not safeguarded;
3) Part of the safeguarded zone which is not affected by hazards of zone 4 and is separated from zone 4
where operators, under safe condition, may have regular access for operations;
4) Safeguarded zone: it is the zone where the machine operates and where the major risks are present,
and the operators are not present during normal operation. This zone may be divided in two or more
sub-zones in order to establish requirement for safe access in a sub-zone while the others are in
operation. This zone is also called “hazard zone”. The safeguarded zone is defined by perimeter
safeguards including ESPE;
5) Infeed zone: it is the space where the products enter in the inside zone. It may be more than one;
6) Outfeed zone: it is the space where the products exit the inside zone. It may be more than one.

Key
1 open space (circulation zone)
2 operative zones (working zone)
3 part of the safeguarded zone
4 safeguarded zone (interior zone)
5 infeed zone
6 outfeed zone
Figure 1 — Typical zones of palletizers
4 Hazards on palletizers, depalletizers and auxiliary equipment
4.1 General
This clause lists all the significant hazards together with hazardous situations and events which occur on
palletizers, depalletizers and auxiliary equipment in the scope of this standard and described in Clause 3.
Hazards which are common to all machines in the scope of this standard are described in Table 1.
Hazards that are specific to the machines defined in 3.2 and to the auxiliary equipment defined in 3.3 are
described in 4.2 to 4.18.
The relevant phases of the machine life cycle, hazardous situations and events considered are as follows:
— installation, assembly, dismantling;
— operation (e.g. automatic mode, manual feeding, process intervention);
— changeover;
— fault finding, trouble-shooting, setting, adjustment;
— cleaning;
— maintenance.
— hazardous situations, events:
— unintended contact with moving parts;
— exposure to noise, release of hazardous substances, ejection of parts;
— staying in the vicinity, e.g. for loading or unloading materials;
— machine in operation;
— unexpected start-up;
— malfunction, e.g. dangerous failure of safety related control function;
— work underneath a load.
Particular situations are described within the tables for specific machines. When a palletizer or
depalletizer incorporates auxiliary equipment, the specific hazards of the auxiliary equipment shall be
taken into account.
Table 1 — Significant hazards which are common for most palletizers and depalletizer, auxiliary
equipment and conveying systems which are part of palletizers or depalletizers.
Source of hazards, hazardous Hazards, Reference to safety
elements requirement of this
standard
Mechanical hazards
moving machine or moving Mechanical hazards according to 4.2, 5.1.2
parts of the machine, cutting 4.16.5 or 4.16.6 of EN 415-10:2014
5.1.4
equipment, handles or hand
5.1.5
wheels
moving, falling, ejected Mechanical hazards according to 4.2, 5.1.16
product 4.9.1 d) and 4.9.2 c) of EN 415-10:2014
5.1.29
broken or damaged product, cutting or stabbing e.g. according to 4.9 5.1.15
packaging material of EN 415-10:2014

Pneumatic equipment or Mechanical hazards, ejections of air, 5.1.10
hydraulic equipment whiplash of pipes and slipping or

falling, noise according to 4.3 of
EN 415-10:2014
loss of stability of the Mechanical hazards and slipping, 5.1.9
machine or machine parts tripping and falling hazards according

to 4.2.3 of EN 415-10:2014
Pallet conveyors Hazards according to 4.16.4 of 5.1.14
EN 415-10:2014
Electrical hazards
electrical equipment, Electric shock according to 4.4 of 5.1.12
EN 415-10:2014
conductive parts of the
machine
Noise
machine, parts of the machine, Noise according to 4.7 of 5.1.13
product, equipment associated to EN 415-10:2014
the machine
Chemical hazards
emission of harmful substances Hazards to health, chemical burn e.g. 5.1.33
according to 4.9, 4.16.2, 4.16.7 of
EN 415-10:2014
Fire explosion hazards
product, substances used with the Fire, explosion, e.g. according to 4.9, 5.1.33
machine 4.16.2, 4.16.7 or 4.16.8 of
EN 415-10:2014
4.2 Semiautomatic stripper plate palletizer
Figure 2 shows the hazard zones on a typical semiautomatic stripper plate. The significant hazards on
this machine are listed in Table 2.

Key
1 crushing, impact ergonomic hazards
2 drawing-in hazards
3, 4, 5 crushing, shearing impact hazards
Figure 2 — Hazard zones on a typical semi-automatic stripper plate palletizer
Table 2 — Significant hazards and hazardous situations on semiautomatic stripper plate
palletizer
Hazardous situation - Reference to
Hazard Source of Hazards
Zone hazards phase of life cycle safety
requirement
of this
standard
1 Mass of product Crushing, impact Phase of life cycle: 5.2.1
ergonomic hazard
- operation
Situations:
- manual feeding, falling
product while lifted
- person in the vicinity
struck by product falling
when layers are transferred
to the pallet
2 Interface between Drawing-in Phase of life cycle: 5.2.2
conveyor and
- operation,
grouping table
3 - 4 Moving stripper Crushing, shearing Phase of life cycle: 5.2.2
plate, moving impact
- operation 5.2.3
cross bar
- changeover, fault finding, -
- maintenance and cleaning
Situations:
- unexpected start up
person, e.g. operator of the
machine or operator of fork
lift truck) in hazard zone, e.g.
because of lack of attention
5 Layer lifting unit Crushing, shearing, Phase of life cycle: 5.2.1
impact - operation
5.2.2
-maintenance and cleaning
5.2.3
Situations:
unexpected start up
lowering of layer lifting unit
while standing underneath
driven or unexpected, e.g. by
gravity)
4.3 Automatic low level palletizer or depalletizer
Figure 3 shows the hazard zones on a typical low level palletizer or depalletizer. The significant hazards
on this machine are listed in Table 3.
Key
1, 2 mechanical hazards
Figure 3 — Hazard zones on a typical automatic low level palletizer
Table 3 — Significant hazards and hazardous situations on automatic low level palletizer
Hazard Source of hazards Hazards Hazardous situation Reference to
- phase of life cycle safety
zone
requirement
of this
standard
1 Load lifting device Mechanical hazards Phases of life cycle: 5.3.1
- operation 5.3.2
Situations:
- unexpected start up
- movement of load
lifting devices in all
phases, e.g. lowering
by gravity
2 Mass of unit load Mechanical hazards Phases of life cycle: 5.3.1
- operation 5.3.2
- maintenance
- cleaning
- setting
- removal of jam
Situations:
- falling of load
4.4 High level palletizer and depalletizers
Figure 4 shows the hazard zones on a typical high level palletizer and depalletizer. The significant hazards
on this machine are listed in Table 4.
Key
1 mechanical/friction/drawing in/falling products/persons hazards
2 mechanical/drawing in/crushing/falling products/persons hazards
3 mechanical/drawing in/crushing/shearing/falling products/ persons hazards
4 tripping, slipping, falling hazards
5 mechanical/crushing /shearing hazards
6 hazard zones for pallet destaker are listed in 4.13
Figure 4 —Hazard zones on a high level palletizer

Table 4 — Significant hazards and hazardous situations on for high level palletizer and
depalletizer
Source of hazards Hazards Hazardous Reference to
Hazard
zone situation / safety
phase of life requirement of
cycle this standard
1 Product conveyor Mechanical Phase of life 5.4.1
hazards/friction/ drawing cycle:
5.4.2
in/falling products/ persons
- operation
- changeover
- fault finding
- cleaning
- maintenance
Situation:
- unexpected
start up
- access during
operation
2 Turning device Mechanical Phases of life 5.4.1
hazards/drawing cycle:
5.4.2
in/crushing/falling
- operation
products/ persons
- changeover
- fault finding
- cleaning
maintenance
- setting
- removal of jam
Situation:
- access during
operation
- falling of load
3 Layer forming Mechanical Phases of life 5.4.1
hazards/drawing cycle:
5.4.2
in/crushing/shearing/falling
- operation
products/persons
- changeover
- fault finding
- cleaning
maintenance
Situation:
- access during
operation
Hazard Source of hazards Hazards Hazardous Reference to
zone situation / safety
phase of life requirement of
cycle this standard
4 High level access Tripping, slipping, falling Phases of life 5.4.1
point cycle:
- operation
- changeover
- fault finding
- cleaning
maintenance
Situation:
- access to high
points
5 Mass of pallet in the Mechanical Phases of life 5.4.1
stack hazards/crushing /shearing cycle:
5.4.2
operation
changeover
fault finding
cleaning
maintenance
Situation:
access during
operation
6 Pallet load lifting Mechanical Phases of life 5.4.2
device hazards/crushing cycle:
- operation
- changeover
- fault finding
- cleaning
maintenance
Situation:
- access during
operation
- movement of
load lifting
devices in all
phases, e.g.
lowering by
gravity
NOTE Hazards for pallet stacker and destacker are listed in 4.13.
4.5 Pick and place palletizer and depalletizer and colunm pick and place palletizer or
depalletizer
Figure 5a) shows the hazard zones on a typical pick and place palletizer or depalletizers; Figure 5b)
shows an example of column palletizer or depalletizers. The significant hazards on these machines are
listed in Table 5.
a)Hazard zone on a typical automatic pick and place palletizer or depalletizer (Gantry type)

b) Hazard zones on a ty
...