Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 1: Terminology and general principles

This European Standard establishes the ergonomic principles to be followed during the process of design of machinery.
This European Standard applies to the interactions between operators and machinery when installing, operating, adjusting, maintaining, cleaning, dismantling, repairing or transporting equipment, and outlines the principles to be followed in taking the health, safety and well-being of the operator into account. This European Standard provides a framework within which the range of more specific ergonomics standards and other related standards relevant to machinery design should be applied.
The ergonomic principles given in this European Standard apply to all ranges of human abilities and characteristics to ensure safety, health and well-being and overall system performance. Information will need to be interpreted to suit the intended use.
NOTE   Although the principles in this European Standard are orientated towards machinery for occupational use, they are also applicable to equipment and machinery for private use.

Sicherheit von Maschinen - Ergonomische Gestaltungsgrundsätze - Teil 1: Begriffe und allgemeine Leitsätze

Diese Europäische Norm legt Grundsätze der Ergonomie fest, die während des Gestaltungsprozesses von Maschinen zu beachten sind.
Diese Europäische Norm gilt für die Interaktion von Bedienperson und Maschine bei Installation, Betrieb, Einstellung, Wartung, Reinigung, Abbau, Reparatur oder Transport von Maschinen. Sie enthält die Grundsätze, die zu befolgen sind, um Gesundheit, Sicherheit und das Wohlbefinden des Bedienungspersonals sicherzustellen. Diese Norm stellt einen Rahmen dar, der auch auf spezifische ergonomische Normen und sonstige Normen zur Gestaltung von Maschinen angewendet werden sollte.
Die in dieser Europäischen Norm enthaltenen ergonomischen Grundsätze gelten für alle Bereiche menschlicher Fähigkeiten und Eigenschaften, um Sicherheit, Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden sowie die Leistungsfähigkeit des Gesamtsystems sicherzustellen. Informationen sind so zu interpretieren, dass sie für den vorgesehenen Gebrauch geeignet sind.
ANMERKUNG   Die Grundsätze in der vorliegenden Europäischen Norm orientieren sich zwar an Maschinen, die für den gewerblichen Gebrauch bestimmt sind, gelten aber auch für die im privaten Gebrauch benutzten Geräte und Maschinen.

Sécurité des machines - Principes ergonomiques de conception - Partie 1: Terminologie et principes généraux

La présente Norme européenne donne les principes ergonomiques a suivre pendant le processus de
conception des machines.
La présente Norme européenne s’applique a l’interaction entre l’opérateur et la machine lors des opérations
d’installation, utilisation, réglage, maintenance, nettoyage, démontage, réparation ou transport dudit
équipement et énonce les principes a suivre pour prendre en compte la santé, la sécurité et le bien-etre de
l’opérateur. La présente Norme européenne fournit un cadre dans lequel il convient d'appliquer les normes
d'ergonomie plus spécifiques et autres normes associées traitant de la conception des machines.
Les principes ergonomiques donnés dans la présente Norme européenne s’appliquent a toute l’étendue des
capacités et caractéristiques humaines, afin d'assurer la sécurité, la santé et le bien-etre de l'opérateur, ainsi
qu'une bonne efficacité globale du systeme. Les informations nécessiteront une interprétation pour convenir a
l’usage envisagé.
NOTE Meme si les principes de la présente Norme européenne sont destinés aux machines a usage professionnel,
ils sont également applicables aux équipements et machines a usage privé.

Varnost strojev – Načela ergonomskega načrtovanja – 1. del: Terminologija in splošna načela

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Publication Date
30-Sep-2006
Withdrawal Date
11-Apr-2010
Technical Committee
Current Stage
9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
Start Date
06-Apr-2010
Due Date
29-Apr-2010
Completion Date
12-Apr-2010

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 614-1:2006
01-oktober-2006
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 614-1:1998
9DUQRVWVWURMHY±1DþHODHUJRQRPVNHJDQDþUWRYDQMD±GHO7HUPLQRORJLMDLQ
VSORãQDQDþHOD
Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 1: Terminology and general
principles
Sicherheit von Maschinen - Ergonomische Gestaltungsgrundsätze - Teil 1: Begriffe und
allgemeine Leitsätze
Sécurité des machines - Principes ergonomiques de conception - Partie 1: Terminologie
et principes généraux
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 614-1:2006
ICS:
01.040.13 Varstvo okolja in zdravja. Environment and health
Varnost (Slovarji) protection. Safety
(Vocabularies)
13.110 Varnost strojev Safety of machinery
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
SIST EN 614-1:2006 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 614-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2006
ICS 13.110; 13.180 Supersedes EN 614-1:1995
English Version
Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 1:
Terminology and general principles
Sécurité des machines - Principes ergonomiques de Sicherheit von Maschinen - Ergonomische
conception - Partie 1: Terminologie et principes généraux Gestaltungsgrundsätze - Teil 1: Begriffe und allgemeine
Leitsätze
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 9 March 2006.
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. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists 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 Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 614-1:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction.4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions.6
4 General principles.9
4.1 General .9
4.2 Accessible design for people with special requirements .9
4.3 Taking account of people's body dimensions, postures, body movements, and physical
strength .10
4.4 Taking account of people's mental abilities.13
4.5 Taking account of the influence of the physical work environment on people .14
5 Incorporating ergonomic principles into the design process of machinery .15
5.1 General .15
5.2 Ergonomics tasks to be performed during the design process of machinery.16
Annex A (informative) Guidelines for the use of the 3-zone rating system .20
A.1 Introduction.20
A.2 Definition and use of the 3-zone rating system .20
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 98/37/EC, amended by 98/79/EC.22
Bibliography.23

2

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
Foreword
This European Standard (EN 614-1:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 122
“Ergonomics”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2006, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by October 2006.
This European Standard supersedes EN 614-1:1995.
This European Standard 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(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this European
Standard.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.
3

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
Introduction
Ergonomically designed work systems enhance safety, improve human working and living conditions and
counteract adverse effects on human health. Also they usually improve the operator-machine system
performance and reliability. In this European Standard the term "ergonomics" refers to a multidisciplinary field
of science and its application. Applying ergonomics to the design of work systems, especially where the
design of machinery is concerned, ensures that human capabilities, skills, limitations and needs are taken into
account.
The work system includes operators, job design, work equipment (e.g. machinery), work space, work
environment, work process and the interactions between them. It can vary in complexity from a workshop with
a single operator using hand held equipment to a process plant and its operators. Good design takes into
account how the operator is expected to interact with the work equipment and how the work equipment fits
into the system as a whole. This is particularly important the more the work equipment is interdependent on
other components of the system. In its whole complexity, the working system is described in generic
standards (e.g. EN ISO 6385).
Compliance with harmonised standards prepared by CEN/CENELEC enables manufacturers and suppliers to
meet requirements of European legislation. EN ISO 12100-1 and EN ISO 12100-2 contain the concepts and
general principles to guide designers in achieving safety for machinery for occupational and private purposes.
Ergonomic principles can be incorporated into the design process by following this standard. In this way both
the technical design and ergonomic principles are considered at the same time. The aim to enhance the
health, safety and well-being of workers is reached by systematically minimising the risks according to EN
1050. EN 13861 provides information concerning applicable ergonomic B-type standards related to specific
hazards.
This standard is one of the European Standards covering specific topics identified in EN ISO 12100-1 and EN
ISO 12100-2 as important to the safety of machinery.
4

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard establishes the ergonomic principles to be followed during the process of design of
machinery.
This European Standard applies to the interactions between operators and machinery when installing,
operating, adjusting, maintaining, cleaning, dismantling, repairing or transporting equipment, and outlines the
principles to be followed in taking the health, safety and well-being of the operator into account. This
European Standard provides a framework within which the range of more specific ergonomics standards and
other related standards relevant to machinery design should be applied.
The ergonomic principles given in this European Standard apply to all ranges of human abilities and
characteristics to ensure safety, health and well-being and overall system performance. Information will need
to be interpreted to suit the intended use.
NOTE Although the principles in this European Standard are orientated towards machinery for occupational use, they
are also applicable to equipment and machinery for private use.
5

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this European Standard. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 894-3, Safety of machinery — Ergonomics requirements for the design of displays and control actuators
— Part 3: Control actuators
EN 1050, Safety of machinery — Principles for risk assessment
EN ISO 12100-1, Safety of machinery — Basic concepts, general principles for design — Part 1: Basic
terminology, methodology (ISO 12100-1:2003)
EN ISO 12100-2:2003, Safety of machinery — Basic concepts, general principles for design — Part 2:
Technical principles (ISO 12100-2:2003)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
allocation of functions
process of deciding how system functions shall be implemented, by humans, by equipment and/or hardware
and/or software
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.1]
3.2
design population
designated group of workers delimited as a percentile range of the general population, defined according to
relevant characteristics, e.g. gender, age, skill level, etc.
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.2]
3.3
ergonomics
study of human factors
scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among human and other elements of a
system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize
human well-being and overall system performance
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.3]
3.4
job
organization and sequence in time and space of an individual's work tasks or the combination of all human
performance by one worker within a work system
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.4]
3.5
system function
broad category of activity performed by a system
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.5]
6

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
3.6
well-being
condition perceived by the operator when using the machine as intended by reducing discomfort, fatigue and
psychological stress to the minimum possible due to ergonomic principles
NOTE Well-being is a part of good health according to the WHO.
3.7
work environment
physical, chemical, biological, organizational, social and cultural factors surrounding a worker
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.6]
3.8
work equipment
tools, including hardware and software, machines, vehicles, devices, furniture, installations and other
components used in the work system
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.7]
3.9
operator
worker
person or persons given the task of installing, operating, adjusting, maintaining, cleaning, repairing or
transporting, machinery
rd
[EU Directive 98/37/EC, Annex 1, 1.1.1, 3 subclause]
3.10
work fatigue
mental or physical, local or general non-pathological manifestation of excessive strain, completely reversible
with rest
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.9]
3.11
work organization
sequence and interaction of work systems fitted together to produce a specific result
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.10]
3.12
work process
sequence in time and space of the interaction of workers, work equipment, materials, energy and information
within a work system
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.11]
3.13
workstation
combination and spatial arrangement of work equipment, surrounded by the work environment under the
conditions imposed by the work tasks
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.12]
7

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
3.14
work strain
internal response of the worker to being exposed to work stress depending on his/her individual
characteristics (e.g. size, age, capacities, abilities, skills, etc.)
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.13]
3.15
work stress
external load
sum of those external conditions and demands in the work system which act to disturb a person's
physiological and/or psychological state
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.14]
3.16
workspace
volume allocated to one or more persons in the work system to complete the work task
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.15]
3.17
work system
system comprising one or more workers and work equipment acting together to perform the system function,
in the workspace, in the work environment, under the conditions imposed by the work tasks
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.16]
3.18
work task
activity or set of activities required by the worker to achieve an intended outcome
[EN ISO 6385:2004, 2.17]
3.19
accessible design
design focussed on principles of extending standard design to people with some type of performance
limitation to maximize the number of potential customers who can readily use a product, building or service
which may be achieved by
- designing products, services and environments that are readily usable by most users without any
modification,
- by making products or services adaptable to different users (adapting user interfaces), and
- by having standardized interfaces to be compatible with special products for persons with disabilities.
NOTE 1 Terms such as design for all, barrier-free design, inclusive design and transgenerational design are used
similarly but in different contexts.
NOTE 2 Accessible design is a subset of universal design where products and environments are usable by all people,
to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design.
[CEN/CENELEC Guide 6, 3.2]
8

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
4 General principles
4.1 General
Safety of machinery requires that ergonomic aspects are addressed. Risk reduction by design is required by
EN 1050 which includes the need to follow ergonomic principles. This European Standard describes these
ergonomic principles and gives a framework for incorporating them into the design process.
The observance of ergonomic principles applies to the intended use of machinery including its installation,
adjustment, maintenance, cleaning, repair, dismantling and transport.
The objective is to design the machinery in its context with the work system to be consistent with human
capabilities, limitations and needs. This requires an analysis of the work tasks that operators have to carry out
and the effect of any constraints that the design and its influence to the environment (e.g. noise, vibration) is
likely to have on the operators' health, safety and well-being.
Machinery shall be designed to take account of the variability in operators' characteristics. These include:
 body dimensions (see 4.3.2),
 posture (see 4.3.3),
 body movements (see 4.3.4),
 physical strength (see 4.3.5),
 mental abilities (see 4.4).
The effects of the combination of factors (for example the combined effects of frequency, body postures and
movements, the duration of operation and the total work duration) have to be taken into account.
The physical work environment will have an effect on the operator. This should be taken into account by
avoiding impairing effects and promoting facilitating effects as far as possible (see 4.5).
All elements of the operator-machine-system such as displays, signals and control actuators shall be
designed in such a way that clear and unambiguous interaction between the operator and the machine is
possible.
In particular, maintenance operators shall be taken into account because they may have to access specific
areas in which risk to health are particularly high.
Consideration of the above aspects allows the designer to identify and evaluate ergonomics related risk
factors and to ensure that the machinery design incorporates means for adequately controlling them. This will
improve health, safety, well-being and reliability of the operation and hence reduce the probability of errors at
all stages of machinery use.
4.2 Accessible design for people with special requirements
Where it is required, the designer should take account of people with special requirements and apply
ergonomic principles to accessible design and assistive technology in order to enable the use of machinery by
people with special requirements.
NOTE Special needs includes sensory abilities like vision, tactile and acoustic input, physical abilities like dexterity,
manipulation, movement, voice, strength and endurance, cognitive abilities like intellect, memory, language and literacy
and allergies like contact allergy and respiratory allergy. For further see CEN/CENELEC Guide 6.
9

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
4.3 Taking account of people's body dimensions, postures, body movements, and physical
strength
4.3.1 General
People’s ability to safely use machinery is very much dependent on their proportional and geometric
relationship to it. Information on population body dimensions allows the designer to take account of the
ergonomic relevant design of a machine (e.g. ensuring adequate reach or sufficient clearance for the
operator).
4.3.2 Body dimensions
Machinery shall be designed with proper regard to the body dimensions of the expected population of
operators, taking into account:
 body dimensions (both static and dynamic with appropriate clothing and/or personal protective
equipment) of adults and people with special needs,
 ranges of body dimensions and joint movements,
 safety distances, and
 dimensions for access (for use, installation, adjustment, maintenance, cleaning, repair, removal
and transport).
To help to avoid stressful postures and movements, the dimensions of machinery need to be compatible with
those of the operator. This can require providing facilities so that each operator can optimize his working
positions. The following principles shall be taken into account:
a) working height or other functional dimensions of machinery shall fit the operator and the type of work
being performed, for example by being adjustable;
b) type, location and adjustability of any seating provided shall be appropriate by considering the dimensions
of the operator, and to the tasks the operator performs;
c) sufficient space shall be provided for all the body parts, to allow the task to be performed with good
working postures and movements and to facilitate access and changes in posture;
d) handles and pedals of machinery shall suit the functional anatomy of the hand or foot and the dimensions
of the operator population. For hand held equipment, handles shall be designed to ensure that the
operator is able to grip the equipment correctly by adopting good postures and to perform the expected
movements;
e) frequently used control actuators, grips and pedals shall be placed within easy reach of the hands and/or
feet when the operator is in appropriate operating positions. Other important control actuators, e.g.
emergency stops, shall be within easy reach of the operator, whereas less frequently used control
actuators shall merely be within reach.
th th
When designing machinery to conform to the expected operator population, at least the 5 to 95 percentiles
shall be used. Where health and safety aspects are important, wider percentile ranges shall be used,
st th
according to the risk assessment, at least to the 1 and/or 99 percentiles. Since machinery is designed for
use by both men and women, the relevant percentiles of the combined operator population shall be used.
th
When determining clearance (e.g. leg room), 95 or greater percentile values shall be used. For reach (e.g.
th
operator reach), 5 or lower percentile values shall be used. Where the dimensions of machinery are
th th
adjustable, the range available shall cover the 5 to the 95 percentile.
10

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
NOTE EN 547-1, EN 547-2 and EN ISO 14738 provide fuller information on using anthropometric data for workspace
design, EN ISO 15537 gives information on methods for assessing dimensions using test persons.
EN ISO 15536-1 gives information on computer manikins and body templates which can be used for assessing designs.
Also see EN ISO 3411 and EN ISO 6682 provide information for minimum space envelope and operating zone for comfort
and reach.
4.3.3 Postures
Working postures shall be comfortable as far as possible and such that they promote easy working
movements and do not have any injurious effects on the individual.
In the design of machinery, the following principles shall be taken into account:
a) awkward postures, e.g. twisted, bent or inclined postures in prolonged activities leading to body fatigue
shall be avoided. Changes in posture shall be promoted;
b) machinery should enable occasional alterations in the operators working position between sitting and
standing. Sitting shall generally be preferred to standing as a main working position;
c) need for lying, kneeling and squatting positions should be restricted as far as possible (even in
maintenance work);
d) suitable body posture and appropriate support for the body shall be ensured. Supports shall be
dimensioned and positioned in order to avoid unbalanced postures;
e) force requirements shall be consistent with the body posture available. Technical aids shall be provided to
achieve sufficient leverage and prevent physical overload. To satisfy this requirement for hand-held
equipment, it is important that risky or unsuitable changes in grip during use are avoided by correct
positioning of the handles;
f) design of the working area at the machine should take into account the following factors:
 viewing angles,
 viewing distances,
 ease of visual discrimination,
 duration and frequency of task,
 any special limitation of the user group, e.g. wearing multifocal spectacles, and
 restrictions caused when wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
NOTE EN ISO 14738 describes ergonomic principles for deriving dimensions of workstations. EN 1005-4 gives
guidance on assessing and controlling health risks due to machinery related postures and movements. EN ISO 6682
describes zones of comfort and reach for controls for earth-moving machinery.
4.3.4 Body movements
Machinery shall be designed with regard to the work process to allow the body or parts of the body to move in
accordance with their natural paths and rhythms of motion. In particular it should be considered that the
operator is not required to make very frequent movements involving extreme joint angles, over a prolonged
period of time.
In the design of machinery, the following principles shall be taken into account:
a) machinery shall allow sufficient freedom of movement (to avoid static postures);
11

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
b) machinery shall be designed so that repetitive body movements that may lead to impairment, illness or
injury are avoided;
c) where there is an occasional need for working outside the normal arm reach the workstation shall allow
the body to bend forward or sideways; to reduce risk it should be possible for the worker to lean and
support their weight;
d) movements requiring high precision and accuracy shall require low force for their execution (see also
4.4);
e) where aids (such as hoists, rails, stops, jigs etc. to avoid excessive muscle activity) are needed the work
space shall have adequate dimensions to allow the movements necessary to use these aids;
f) twisting movements or extreme joint positions of the hand/arm involving the application of forces shall be
avoided.
NOTE EN ISO 14738 describes ergonomic principles for deriving dimensions of workstations. EN 1005-4 gives
guidance on assessing and controlling health risks due to machinery related postures and movements.
4.3.5 Physical strength
Actions during machinery operation which require the application of high force can cause strain to the
musculo-skeletal system. Unfavourable musculo-skeletal strain increases the risk of fatigue, discomfort and
musculo-skeletal disorders.
In the design of machinery, the following principles shall be taken into account:
a) mechanical aids shall be provided, where the necessary physical force to be applied cannot be kept to a
safe level;
b) prolonged static muscle tension (such as caused by arms and hands being held or lifted) shall be avoided.
The weight of hand-held equipment may be an important cause of muscle fatigue when prolonged
periods of use are required and its effects should be reduced, e.g. by supporting the equipment on a
suspension system;
c) application of physical force shall be minimised wherever possible by utilising measures such as balance
weights;
d) control actuators, grips, handles and pedals of machinery shall be designed, selected and arranged to
meet the requirements of EN 894-3;
e) depending on the force demands, size, shape and position of control actuators, uneven loading of the
body and limbs shall be avoided;
f) weight distribution of hand held and portable equipment shall ensure proper balance in relation to their
handles and support areas.
NOTE EN 1005-2 and EN 1005-3 describe how the designer of machinery can keep the required forces to
acceptable levels. They give methods for considering the weight, shape, size, weight distribution and position of the
objects being handled. The duration and frequency of force application, the operator’s posture (sitting or standing), the
rules and methods of working and the specific characteristics of the intended operator population (e.g. age, health) are
also addressed.
12

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EN 614-1:2006 (E)
4.4 Taking account of people's mental abilities
4.4.1 General
The machine and its associated elements (displays, signals, control actuators, instructions etc.) shall be
designed to suit not only the physical but also the mental abilities of the expected population of operators. The
term mental in this sense refers to cognitive, informational and emotional processes of the human being, as
specified in EN ISO 10075–1. Mental ability is associated with the operator’s ability to control the machinery
and perform the required tasks.
NOTE Poor compatibility between the operator’s mental abilities and the requirements for use results in unsafe
operation and leads to impairing effects on the operator’s health and well-being. Poor compatibility is also an obstacle to
learning and training.
4.4.2 Requirements for interaction between operator and machinery
Requirements and guidelines for ensuring controlled and safe operation of the machinery are given in EN ISO
7731, EN 842, EN 894-1, EN 894-2 and EN 981. Guidelines to help the designer avoid impairing effects on
the operator (over- or underload, fatigue, monotony, reduced vigilance, satiation; see EN ISO 10075–1) are
described in prEN ISO 9241-110 and EN ISO 10075-2 in detail. Principles for designing suitable operator’s
work tasks are described in EN 614-2:2000, 4.1. The following ergonomic principles shall be taken into
account:
a) machinery shall support the operator when performing recurrent tasks. The operator should be supported
in such a way that the operation does not overload nor underload the mental abilities (principle of
suitability for the task);
b) underlying process and the functioning of the machinery shall be easily understandable for the operator
(principle of self-descriptiveness);
c) operator shall have control over the machine and its components (principle of controllability);
d) machinery shall be, as far as poss
...

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