Ticket machines, household appliances, computer keyboards: any device intended for use by human beings should be not only safe, but also easy to reach and use. Irrespective of the environment in which it is used (work, home, leisure), the underlying ergonomic principles are always the same. These principles have now been summarized for the first time for all applications in a single standard: EN ISO 26800, published in November 2011.

Engineers should not regard the ergonomic design of machines as an optional extra, but should automatically consider it an inherent aspect of design. A supplement which explains the ergonomic requirements in greater detail was recently added to the European Commission’s Guide to application of the 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive.

A test finger can be used to test whether the enclosures of machines and installations are designed such that persons are not able to come into contact with dangerous parts. An assessment commissioned by KAN has found however that test fingers to EN 60529 do not always guarantee this protection.

In 2011, in response to an initiative by the employers’ liaison office at the KAN Secretariat, the Working Party “Standardization” was set up at the European Commission’s Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work (ACSH). A special committee therefore now exists at European level in which the state, employees and employers discuss issues of standardization policy.

Accidents occur on machines used for the cutting of firewood. In order to reduce the accident rate even further, the standards governing these machines must also be improved. At several meetings held between 2009 and 2011 and moderated by the KAN Secretariat, experts discussed how machine operators and any other persons assisting them could be prevented from reaching into the sawing or splitting area.

Since September 2011, the post of Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) in Bilbao has been held by the Austrian Dr Christa Sedlatschek. Dr Sedlatschek reports on the Agency’s current projects and focus of its work.