Glossary · Hazards and harm
Hazardous zone
Also known as: danger zone, hazard zone
In machine safety, a hazardous zone is any space within or around machinery in which a person can be exposed to a hazard. ISO 12100 calls it a hazard zone or danger zone.
- Machine safety
- Risk assessment
- Technical documentation
In one sentence
The hazardous zone is the space in or around a machine where a person can be exposed to a hazard; guards and distances are laid out from it.
Example
The hazardous zone of a palletizing robot is the full reach of the arm plus its load; a perimeter fence and a light curtain at the pallet exchange keep people out while it moves.
How it applies
- Machine safety: The extent of the zone depends on the reach of moving parts, the load, the stopping behavior and anything that can be ejected. Guards and protective devices are positioned in relation to it using safe distances, as specified in ISO 13855 and ISO 13857.
- Integrated systems: In lines and robot cells, the zones of several machines overlap. Define them jointly and document the safety zoning and any shared safety zone.
- Technical documentation: Show the zone on layout drawings and in the operating manual, and state which tasks require entry, in which operating mode and with which measures.
- Evidence: Record how the zone boundary was determined, so it can be checked after changes to layout, speed or tooling.
Hazardous zone vs. hazard point
A hazard point is the specific place where harm can occur. The hazardous zone includes every position from which a person can reach it or be reached by it.