TCVN 7387-2:2007 (ISO 14122-2:2001) is an important standard for ensuring safety when accessing machinery and industrial equipment. This standard specifies the safety requirements for walkways, working platforms, and permanent means of access such as stairways and stepladders, with the objective of minimizing the risk of occupational accidents.

Importance for Employers

Compliance with Legal Requirements and Safety Standards

Complying with this standard enables employers to satisfy legal requirements and occupational safety regulations, thereby avoiding penalties arising from violations of workplace safety legislation.

Reducing the Risk of Occupational Accidents

Properly designed access systems help reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls, ensuring safe access when working at height.

Improving Productivity

A safe working environment enables employees to perform their duties with greater confidence while reducing operational interruptions caused by workplace accidents.

Protecting Corporate Assets and Reputation

Reducing losses resulting from occupational accidents while enhancing the company's reputation for its commitment to workplace safety.

Importance for Employees

Protecting Life and Health

Safe access systems help minimize the risk of falls, thereby protecting workers' health throughout their work activities.

Easy Access to Work Areas

Appropriate design allows workers to move conveniently without creating obstacles during work.

Promoting Safe Work Practices

Helping workers recognize the importance of using designated access routes in accordance with regulations and avoiding unsafe means of access.

Improving Working Conditions

Safe infrastructure contributes to a more professional, comfortable, and safer working environment.

The Standard Includes the Following:

NATIONAL STANDARD

TCVN 7387-2:2007 (ISO 14122-2:2001)

Safety of Machinery – Permanent Means of Access to Machinery – Part 2: Working Platforms and Walkways

1 Scope

This standard applies to all machinery, both stationary and mobile, that incorporates permanent means of access.

This standard applies to working platforms and walkways that form part of the machinery.

This standard also applies to working platforms and walkways that form part of the building or workshop in which the machinery is installed, where their function is to provide access to the machinery.

NOTE: This standard may also be used for means of access outside the scope of this standard. In such cases, relevant national regulations and other applicable requirements should also be taken into consideration.

This standard also applies to working platforms and walkways designed specifically for machinery but not permanently attached to it, which may be removed or moved aside during certain machine operations (for example, changing tools on a large press).

This standard does not apply to passenger lifts, mobile elevating platforms, or other devices specifically designed to raise persons between two levels.

For the significant hazards addressed by this standard, refer to Clause 4 of TCVN 7387-1:2004.

2 Normative References

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this standard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition, including any amendments, applies.

• TCVN 6720:2000 (ISO 13852) – Safety of Machinery – Safety Distances to Prevent Hazard Zones from Being Reached by the Upper Limbs.
• TCVN 7383-1:2004 (ISO 12100-1) – Safety of Machinery – Basic Concepts, General Principles for Design – Part 1: Basic Terminology and Methodology.
• TCVN 7383-2:2003 (ISO 12100-2) – Safety of Machinery – Basic Concepts, General Principles for Design – Part 2: Technical Principles.
• TCVN 7387-1:2004 (ISO 14122-1) – Safety of Machinery – Permanent Means of Access to Machinery – Part 1: Choice of Fixed Means of Access Between Two Levels.
• ISO 14122-3:2001 – Safety of Machinery – Permanent Means of Access to Machinery – Part 3: Stairs, Stepladders and Guardrails.
• EN 547-1 – Safety of Machinery – Human Body Measurements – Part 1: Principles for Determining the Dimensions Required for Openings for Whole-Body Access into Machinery.
• EN 547-2 – Safety of Machinery – Human Body Measurements – Part 2: Principles for Determining the Dimensions Required for Access Openings.
• EN 547-3 – Safety of Machinery – Human Body Measurements – Part 3: Anthropometric Data.
• EN 1070 – Safety of Machinery – Terminology.

3 Terms and Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in TCVN 7387-1:2004 (EN ISO 14122-1), EN 1070, and the following definitions apply.

3.1 Flooring

An assembly of components forming the floor surface of a walkway or working platform that is in direct contact with footwear.

3.2 Walkway

A level surface used for moving from one location to another.

3.3 Working Platform

A level surface intended for operation, maintenance, inspection, repair, sampling, and other activities associated with machinery.

3.4 Slip-Resistant Surface

A flooring surface designed to improve the grip between footwear and the walking surface.

4 General Requirements

Walkways and working platforms shall comply with the following general safety requirements.

4.1 General Provisions

Working platforms and walkways shall be designed, manufactured, installed, and, where necessary, protected so that operators can safely gain access to the working platform and, while on the platform, safely operate, adjust, monitor, inspect, repair, or perform other tasks related to the machinery.

4.1.1 Construction and Materials

Working platforms and walkways shall be designed, manufactured, and constructed from materials capable of withstanding the intended conditions of use. At a minimum, the following shall be taken into consideration:

a) The dimensions and selection of components (including fasteners, connecting elements, supporting members, and foundations) shall ensure adequate strength, rigidity, and stability.

b) Resistance to environmental influences (such as weather conditions, chemicals, and corrosive atmospheres), for example by using corrosion-resistant materials or suitable protective coatings.

c) Structural elements shall be positioned so that water cannot accumulate, for example at joints.

d) Suitable materials shall be used to minimize electrochemical effects or differences in thermal expansion.

e) The dimensions of walkways and working platforms shall be based on anthropometric data (see 4.2.2 of this standard and EN 547-1 and EN 547-3).

f) Walkways and working platforms shall be designed and constructed to prevent hazards caused by falling objects. For guardrails and toe boards, see Clause 7 of ISO 14122-3:2001; for openings in flooring, see 4.2.4.4 of this standard.

g) The removal of any machine component shall not require the removal of guardrails, flooring panels, or other permanently installed protective barriers.

4.1.2 Operator Safety

Walkways and working platforms shall be designed and constructed to ensure safe use. At a minimum, the following shall be considered:

a) All parts that may come into contact with the operator shall be designed and assembled to protect the operator from injury.

b) Walkways and working platforms shall be designed and assembled so that walking surfaces provide durable slip resistance.

c) Machine parts on which operators are required to walk or stand shall be designed and assembled to prevent persons from falling from those parts (see ISO 14122-3).

d) Working platforms and access to working platforms shall be designed and installed so that operators can quickly leave the workplace in the event of danger, or be readily assisted and evacuated when necessary.

e) Handrails, guardrails, and other supporting elements shall be designed and installed so that they can be used naturally and instinctively by the operator.

4.2 Specific Requirements

4.2.1 Location

Walkways and working platforms shall be located as far as practicable from sources of emissions of harmful materials or substances.

Walkways and working platforms shall also be located away from accumulations of materials such as soil or other substances that may create slipping hazards.

Appropriate safety distances in accordance with TCVN 6720:2000 shall be maintained from moving parts, unprotected hot surfaces, unprotected live electrical equipment, and similar hazards.

Working platforms shall be positioned to enable personnel to work in a comfortable position, preferably between 500 mm and 1,700 mm above the platform surface.

4.2.2 Dimensions

The clear length and width of walkways and working platforms used for operation, maintenance, and servicing shall be determined according to:

a) The work requirements, such as operating positions, the nature and speed of movement, the application of force, etc.

b) Whether tools or spare parts are carried.

c) The frequency and duration of tasks and the use of walkways and working platforms.

d) The number of operators using the walkway or platform at the same time.

e) The possibility of operators passing one another.

f) Whether additional equipment is worn or carried, such as protective clothing or personal protective equipment (PPE).

g) The presence of obstructions.

h) The evacuation of injured persons.

i) Whether the walkway terminates in a dead end.

j) Walls or partitions that could damage or snag operators' clothing.

k) The need for unrestricted movement while working and adequate space for the intended tools.

According to the values specified in EN 547-1 and EN 547-3, unless exceptional circumstances exist, the minimum clear headroom above working platforms and walkways shall be 2,100 mm.

NOTE 1: Where justified by technical reasons based on a risk assessment and constraints imposed by the machinery or its environment, the clear headroom may be reduced to not less than 1,900 mm, provided that:

• the working platform or walkway is used only occasionally; or
• the reduced headroom extends only over a short distance.

Unless exceptional circumstances exist, the minimum clear width of a walkway shall be 600 mm, although 800 mm is recommended.

Where the walkway is frequently used or where several persons may use it simultaneously, the width should be increased to 1,000 mm.

Walkways serving as emergency escape routes shall comply with the applicable regulations governing escape routes.

NOTE 2: Where technically justified by a risk assessment and constraints imposed by the machinery or its environment, the clear width may be reduced to not less than 500 mm, provided that:

• the working platform or walkway is used only occasionally; and
• the reduced width extends only over a short distance.

Where obstructions on walls or ceilings reduce the required width or height, suitable protective measures shall be provided.

Additional protective devices, such as padding to prevent injury, should also be installed where appropriate. Warning signs should likewise be considered.

4.2.3 Protective Means and Equipment

Guardrails complying with ISO 14122-3 shall be provided wherever there is a risk of falling from walkways or working platforms at a height of 500 mm or more.

Guardrails shall also be provided wherever there is a risk of falling or collapsing into hazardous areas (for example, access walkways to rooftop extraction units).

Suitable lifting or handling equipment shall be provided for moving heavy objects without having to roll or place them on working platforms.

4.2.4 Flooring

4.2.4.1 Hazards Due to the Accumulation of Liquids

Flooring shall be designed so that any liquid spilled onto the surface can drain away immediately.

Where this cannot be achieved for special reasons, appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent or minimize slipping hazards and other dangers caused by the accumulated liquid.

4.2.4.2 Hazards Due to the Accumulation of Materials

Flooring shall be designed so that dirt, snow, ice, or other materials cannot accumulate on the walking surface.

For this reason, permeable flooring, such as grating or cold-formed perforated plates, is advantageous.

Where permeable flooring cannot be used, suitable means shall be provided for removing accumulated materials whenever necessary.

4.2.4.3 Tripping Hazards

To prevent tripping hazards, the maximum difference in height between adjacent flooring surfaces shall not exceed 4 mm.

4.2.4.4 Hazards Arising from Falling Objects

a) Flooring

Risk assessment will normally result in the selection of open flooring for working platforms and walkways.

• Flooring for working platforms or walkways shall have openings no larger than those through which a 35 mm diameter sphere cannot pass.
• Flooring located above areas where persons normally work, rather than areas that are only occasionally occupied, shall have openings no larger than those through which a 20 mm diameter sphere cannot pass, unless an equivalent level of safety is provided by other appropriate measures.

Where the risk assessment concludes that hazards caused by objects or materials falling through the flooring are greater than the hazards associated with slipping or falling, flooring shall have no openings.

b) Junctions

Where the gap between the edge of the flooring and adjacent structural members, or between the flooring and components such as pipes, hoppers, or support columns, exceeds 30 mm, toe boards shall be provided.

4.2.4.5 Hazards Due to Flooring Failure

Where flooring consists of removable sections, for example to permit maintenance of equipment installed beneath the flooring:

• any hazardous movement of the flooring sections shall be prevented, for example by suitable fastening devices;
• fastening devices shall be capable of being inspected for corrosion, loosening, or any hazardous displacement.

4.2.4.6 Slip Hazards

Flooring shall have a surface finish designed to reduce the risk of slipping.

Pending the publication of standards specifying slip resistance levels, reference should be made to Annex A.

4.2.5 Design Loads

The design loads for working platforms and walkways shall be specified in their technical specifications.

The minimum working loads shall be:

• 2 kN/m² uniformly distributed load acting on the structure;
• 1.5 kN concentrated load applied at the most unfavorable position over a loaded area of 200 mm × 200 mm on the flooring.

Under the design load, the deflection of the flooring shall not exceed 1/200 of the flooring span, and the difference in level between the loaded flooring and the adjacent unloaded flooring shall not exceed 4 mm.

The structural strength and safety of walkways and working platforms shall be verified by calculation or testing.

5 Assembly Instructions

The assembly instructions shall include all information necessary for installation, particularly information relating to positioning and fastening.