EN 1974:2020

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 1974:2000+A1:2010
Stroji za predelavo hrane - Stroji za rezanje na rezine - Varnostne in higienske
zahteve
Food processing machinery - Slicing machines - Safety and hygiene requirements
Nahrungsmittelmaschinen- Aufschnittschneidemaschinen - Sicherheits- und
Hygieneanforderungen
Machines pour les produits alimentaires - Trancheurs - Prescriptions relatives à la
sécurité et à l'hygiène
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1974:2020
ICS:
67.260 Tovarne in oprema za živilsko Plants and equipment for the
industrijo food industry
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 1974
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 67.260 Supersedes EN 1974:1998+A1:2009
English Version
Food processing machinery - Slicing machines - Safety and
hygiene requirements
Machines pour les produits alimentaires - Trancheurs - Nahrungsmittelmaschinen-
Prescriptions relatives à la sécurité et à l'hygiène Aufschnittschneidemaschinen - Sicherheits- und
Hygieneanforderungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 18 October 2020.

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 CEN-CENELEC Management Centre 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 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, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1974:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 List of significant hazards . 11
4.1 General . 11
4.2 Mechanical hazards . 12
4.2.1 General . 12
4.2.2 Slicing machine with automatic product feeding and a gauge plate . 12
4.2.3 Slicing machine with an automatic carriage . 12
4.2.4 Slicing machine with an automatic feature to handle the sliced product (stacker unit,
discharge conveyor, etc.) . 12
4.3 Electrical hazards . 12
4.4 Loss of stability hazards . 12
4.5 Hygiene hazards . 13
4.6 Hazards from neglecting ergonomic principles . 13
5 Safety requirements and/or protective measures . 13
5.1 General . 13
5.2 Mechanical hazards . 13
5.2.1 General . 13
5.2.2 Blade protection . 14
5.2.3 Requirements for blade sharpeners . 18
5.2.4 Product support . 21
5.2.5 Product support with clamping device . 21
5.2.6 Product support with pusher . 23
5.2.7 Product support with manual feed carriage . 24
5.2.8 Slicing machine with an automatic carriage . 24
5.2.9 Slicing machines with power-driven pusher . 25
5.2.10 Slicing machine provided with stacker unit . 26
5.2.11 Control system . 27
5.3 Electrical hazards . 27
5.4 Stability . 27
5.4.1 General . 27
5.4.2 Stability test . 27
5.5 Hygiene . 28
5.5.1 General . 28
5.5.2 Food area . 29
5.5.3 Splash area. 29
5.5.4 Non-food area . 29
5.5.5 Hygiene requirements . 30
5.6 Ergonomics . 30
6 Verification of safety requirements and/or measures . 31
7 Information for use . 32
7.1 General . 32
7.2 Instruction handbook . 32
7.2.1 General . 32
7.2.2 Information relating to the slicer itself . 32
7.2.3 Information relating to the installation of the slicing machine . 32
7.2.4 Information relating to transportation and storage of the slicing machine . 32
7.2.5 Information relating to the use of the slicing machine . 33
7.2.6 Information for maintenance . 34
7.2.7 Information on cleaning . 34
7.2.8 Information about the training of the operator . 35
8 Marking . 35
Annex A (normative) Principles of hygiene design of slicing machines . 36
A.1 Terms and definitions . 36
A.2 Materials of construction . 36
A.2.1 General . 36
A.2.2 Food area . 36
A.2.3 Splash area . 36
A.2.4 Non-food area . 36
A.3 Design . 36
A.3.1 General . 36
A.3.2 Food area . 36
A.3.3 Splash area . 38
A.3.4 Non-food area . 40
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC aimed to be covered . 41
Bibliography . 43

European foreword
This document (EN 1974:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 153 “Machinery
intended for use with foodstuffs and feed”, 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 May 2021, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2021.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 1974:1998+A1:2009.
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 2006/42/EC, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of
this document.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following major technical modifications have been made:
— the Scope and Terms and definitions have been updated;
— general redraft of the list of significant hazards;
— safety and/or protective measure cross reference added;
— improvement on blade protection requirements (blade guard, gauge plate, integrated blade
sharpener, product support, stacker unit and control system);
— improvement on the hygiene section;
— general redraft on the verification of safety requirements and/or measures;
— updating on the instruction handbook section, new requirements added.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
This document is a type-C standard as stated in EN ISO 12100.
This document is of relevance in particular for the following stakeholder groups, representing the market
players with regard to machinery safety:
— machine manufacturers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance, etc.).
Others can be affected by the level of machinery safety achieved with the means of the document by the
above-mentioned stakeholder groups:
— machine users/employers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— machine users/employees (e.g. trade unions, organizations for people with special needs);
— service providers, e.g. for maintenance (small, medium and large enterprises);
— consumers (in case of machinery intended for use by consumers).
The above-mentioned stakeholder groups have been given the possibility to participate at the drafting
process of this document.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events are
covered are indicated in the Scope of this document.
When requirements of this type-C standard are different from those which are stated in type-A- or type-
B-standards, the requirements of this type-C-standard take precedence over the requirements of the
other standards for machines that have been designed and built according to the requirements of this
type-C-standard.
1 Scope
This document specifies the safety and hygiene requirements for the design and manufacture,
installation, training, use, cleaning and maintenance of slicing machines which are fitted with a motor-
driven blade of more than 150 mm in diameter, provided with a product support. These types of slicing
machines are intended to be used in shops, restaurants, supermarkets, canteens, etc. to slice foodstuffs.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to slicing
machines, when they are used as intended by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
This document applies to the hazards arising during all the phases of the life of the machine as described
in EN ISO 12100:2010, 5.4.
Automatic industrial slicing machines covered by EN 16743:2016 are excluded from the scope of this
document.
This document covers the following types of slicing machines:
— horizontal feed slicing machine (see Figure 1);
— gravity feed slicing machine (see Figure 2).
Both types can have an either hand-operated or power-operated carriage to move the product towards
the blade. They both can be fitted with manual or automatic devices to receive and convey the slices away
from the machine. All these types can also be provided with a scale.
This document applies to machines which are manufactured after the date of issue of this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of 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 614-1:2006+A1:2009, Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 1: Terminology and
general principles
EN 1672-2:2005+A1:2009, Food processing machinery - Basic concepts - Part 2: Hygiene requirements
EN 60204-1:2006 , Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 1: General requirements
(IEC 60204-1:2005, modified)
EN 60529:1991 , Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) (IEC 60529:1989)
EN ISO 4287:1998 ,Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - Surface texture: Profile method - Terms,
definitions and surface texture parameters (ISO 4287:1997)
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery - General principles for design - Risk assessment and risk reduction
(ISO 12100:2010)
As impacted by EN 60204-1:2006/A1:2009 and EN 60204-1:2006/corrigendum Feb. 2010.
As impacted by EN 60529:1991/corrigendum May 1993, EN 60529:1991/A1:2000, EN 60529:1991/A2:2013,
EN 60529:1991/AC:2016-12 and EN 60529:1991/A2:2013/AC:2019-02.
As impacted by EN ISO 4287:1998/AC:2008 and EN ISO 4287:1998/A1:2009.
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 14119:2013, Safety of machinery - Interlocking devices associated with guards - Principles for
design and selection (ISO 14119:2013)
EN ISO 21469:2006, Safety of machinery - Lubricants with incidental product contact - Hygiene
requirements (ISO 21469:2006)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 12100:2010 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
slicing machine
machine with a blade used to cut food products into slices of varying thickness
Note 1 to entry: A slicing machine consists of a base, a blade, a blade cover, a blade guard, a blade sharpener, a
gauge plate, a product support, a carriage, a product pusher and electrical components.
3.2
blade
circular rotating disk provided with a sharp cutting edge
3.3
horizontal feed slicing machine
machine in which the product is fed horizontally to the blade

a) design with product support

b) design with sliding plate and clamping device c) design with sliding plate and pusher
Key
1 separated blade sharpener 9 pusher arm 17 gauge plate
2 blade guard 10 blade 18 thumb guard
3 integrated blade sharpener 11 slice support 19 sliding plate
4 blade cover 12 slice thickness control 20 clamping device
5 finger guard 13 indicator light 21 carriage
6 pusher guard 14 ON-switch 22 pusher handle
7 pusher 15 OFF-switch 23 carriage handle
8 product support 16 slice receiving surface 24 clamping handle
25 deflector
Figure 1 — Horizontal feed slicing machine (examples)
3.4
gravity feed slicing machine
machine in which the product to be cut is fed to the blade by gravity, where the product support is inclined
to the horizontal plane
Key
1 separated blade sharpener 8 product support 17 gauge plate
2 blade guard 10 blade 18 thumb guard
3 integrated blade sharpener 12 slice thickness control 21 carriage
4 blade cover 13 indicator light 22 pusher handle
5 finger guard 14 ON-switch 23 carriage handle
6 pusher guard 15 OFF-switch 25 deflector
7 pusher 16 slice receiving surface
Figure 2 — Gravity feed slicing machine (example)
3.5
blade guard
fixed annular ring mounted around the edge of that part of the blade which is not used for the cutting
operation
3.6
blade cover
removable cover for the blade which covers the blade on the product support side
3.7
gauge plate
plate parallel to the blade, extending from the cutting edge of the blade and covering the stroke of the
product support
Note 1 to entry: In most cases the gauge plate is used to adjust the slice thickness.
3.8
slice thickness control
control device by which the position of the gauge plate can be set in order to give the desired slice
thickness
3.9
blade sharpener
device provided with the slicing machine, equipped with abrasive wheels used to sharpen the blade edge
3.10
product support
support for the product to be sliced
Note 1 to entry: Some different kinds of support are used for sausages, ham, fresh meat, etc. The product support is
equipped with a pusher or a sliding plate and/or a clamping device.
3.11
carriage
device for the product support which allows the longitudinal movement of the product support
3.12
carriage handle
handle to move the carriage and feed the product against the gauge plate, either fitted on the carriage or
the product support and sliding plate
3.13
sliding plate
plate on which the product is placed and which slides on top of the product support to facilitate the
feeding of the product towards the blade
3.14
pusher
device used to hold and/or move the product along the product support against the gauge plate
3.15
automatic carriage
power driven carriage which allows the longitudinal movement of the product support
3.16
pusher guard
plate attached to the pusher to prevent access to the cutting edge of the blade
3.17
finger guard
plate mounted on (or part of) the product support which keeps the fingers of the operator's hand away
from the cutting edge of the blade
3.18
thumb guard
plate mounted on the product support parallel to the blade and extending from the finger guard, covering
the blade when the product support is in the backward position
3.19
clamping device
device which keeps the product positioned in the intended place on the sliding plate during the slicing
operation
3.20
slice support
device to support the product until it is fully cut
3.21
slice receiving surface
area on which the slices are laid after the cutting operation
3.22
stacker unit
device which removes slices cut by the blade and places them on a slice receiving surface
Note 1 to entry: The stacker unit consists of, for example, a depositing arm and transport device.
3.23
depositing arm
component of the stacker unit which removes the slices from the transport device to the slice receiving
surface
3.24
transport device
device which moves the slices from the blade to the depositing arm.
3.25
deflector
device that leads the slice away from the blade
3.26
automatic product feeding device
power driven device to move the product along the product support against the gauge plate.
3.27
power supply cord
electrical cord that supplies current to control devices and electrical equipment of the machine
3.28
stopping time
time from triggering the stop command to when the machine comes to an absolute stop
3.29
end stop position
non-cutting position where the gauge plate is closed and overlaps the blade
3.30
discharge conveyor
the discharge conveyor transports the slices away from the slice receiving surface
4 List of significant hazards
4.1 General
This clause contains all the significant hazards, hazardous situations and events in this document,
identified by risk assessment as significant for this type of machinery and which require action to
eliminate or reduce the risk.
4.2 Mechanical hazards
4.2.1 General
The mechanical hazards related to all slicing machines are the following:
— area around the blade: hazard of cutting or severing (e.g. fingers, hands, arms);
— handling the blade: hazard of cutting or severing parts of the body (e.g. fingers, hands, arms, feet);
— power supply cord: hazard of tripping over and falling.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.6, 5.2.7, 5.2.8, 5.2.9,
5.2.10, 5.2.11 and 7.2.3.
4.2.2 Slicing machine with automatic product feeding and a gauge plate
Trapping between product support and blade.
NOTE A slicing machine with an automatic feed mechanism driven by a hand wheel is considered to have
automatic product feeding.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.2.9.
4.2.3 Slicing machine with an automatic carriage
Trapping between the carriage and the frame of the machine (e.g. fingers, hands). Being struck by the
moving carriage.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.2.8.
4.2.4 Slicing machine with an automatic feature to handle the sliced product (stacker unit,
discharge conveyor, etc.)
Being caught or pierced by the gripper spikes (e.g. fingers, hands).
Trapping by the stacker unit (e.g. fingers, hands).
Trapping by the transport device (e.g. fingers, hands).
Trapping between the conveyor belt and the end rollers or tensioning roller (e.g. fingers, hands).
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.2.10.
4.3 Electrical hazards
The electrical hazards are the following:
— direct or indirect electrical contact with live parts;
— damage of electrical insulation, including mechanical or chemical damage of the power supply cord;
— insufficient or inappropriate electrical insulation.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.3.
4.4 Loss of stability hazards
Slipping or toppling of the machine.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.4.
4.5 Hygiene hazards
Hygiene hazards occurring from neglecting hygiene principles are the following:
— inability to clean food, splash and accessible non-food areas effectively and thoroughly;
— contamination of the food by undesirable materials including residues of food, dust coming from the
sharpening, cleaning and disinfecting agents;
— cleaning carried out with prohibited cleaning and disinfecting agents: hazard of damage to machine,
harmful effects on operator and contamination of the product.
NOTE The food, non-food and splash areas are specified as set out in Figure 15.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.5.
4.6 Hazards from neglecting ergonomic principles
Wrong operation, mental overload and/or repetitive strain injuries can occur either because of lack of
ergonomic in:
— the design, location or identification of control devices, indicators and visual display units;
— the design location and shape of the pusher handle;
or
— conditions of the workplace;
— lack of maintenance;
— lack of information about ergonomics.
For the safety and/or protective measures, see 5.2.6; Figure 11; 5.2.11 and 7.2.2.
5 Safety requirements and/or protective measures
5.1 General
Machinery shall comply with the safety requirements and/or protective measures of this clause. In
addition, the machine shall be designed according to the principles of EN ISO 12100:2010 for relevant,
but not significant hazards, which are not dealt with by this document.
5.2 Mechanical hazards
5.2.1 General
All moveable guards shall be associated with interlocking devices which shall comply with
EN ISO 14119:2013, 5.7.
The safety related parts of the control system shall comply with at least performance level “c” of
EN ISO 13849-1:2015.
Fixing systems of fixed guards shall remain attached to these parts or to the machine when the parts are
removed.
Mechanical hazards are described in 4.2.
5.2.2 Blade protection
5.2.2.1 The blade shall be provided with suitable protection which covers all the cutting edge of the
blade that is not necessarily exposed to enable the product to be cut.
5.2.2.2 Blade protection consists of:
a) a blade guard;
b) a gauge plate;
c) slice support, when provided;
d) a product support;
e) a blade sharpener (if integrated),
and may also include on some machines a blade cover.
5.2.2.3 The blade guard shall be non-removable. The part of the blade guard which in section is close
and perpendicular to the blade shall be ≥ 4 mm and shall protrude ≥ 1 mm in comparison with the cutting
edge (see Figure 3b) while the remaining section may be designed by the manufacturer.
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Requirements when 50 N testing force is b) Blade guard design requirements
applied
Key
1 blade guard
2 blade
Figure 3 — Blade guard
When a force of 50 N is applied from any position and any direction on the blade guard, the guard shall
not deflect to a distance less than 1 mm parallel to the axis of the blade in comparison to the cutting edge
(see Figure 3a).
The blade guard shall be non-removable.
5.2.2.4 Blade guard and blade cover interlocking device shall be in accordance with Table 1. A gap
between the blade guard and the cutting edge of the blade shall be ≤ 12 mm. Maximum stopping time
is 4 s.
Table 1 — Blade cover – gap, shape and interlocking device
Gap between the blade Blade Cover Blade Cover See Figure
guard and the cutting Interlocking Device
edge of the blade
gap ≤ 6 mm Not Required Not required Figure 4a)
6 mm < gap ≤ 12 mm 1. Required to reduce Required Figure 4b)
the gap between blade
and blade cover to
≤ 6 mm
2. When a force of 50 N
is applied from any
position and any
direction on the blade
cover, the cover shall
not deflect to a distance
less than 1 mm parallel
to the axis of the blade
in comparison to the
cutting edge.
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Blade guard with outside blade cover and b) Blade guard with blade cover interlocking
without interlocking device device
Key
1 blade guard
2 blade
3 blade cover
x gap
Figure 4 — Blade guard with and without interlocking device
5.2.2.5 In the end stop position the overlapping between the gauge plate and the blade guard shall
be at least 10 mm. Any gap between the gauge plate and the blade, and between the gauge plate and the
blade guard shall not exceed 6 mm when the gauge plate is in the end stop position (see Figure 5). The
machine shall not be capable of cutting slices more than 40 mm thick.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 gauge plate
2 blade guard
3 blade
4 blade cover
Figure 5 — Gauge plate and blade
5.2.2.6 When a force of 50 N is applied from any position and any direction to the gauge plate at its
end stop position, the gauge plate shall overlap the blade by at least 1 mm (see Figure 6a)).
The gauge plate and the slice support can be adjusted relative to the blade. No interlocking device is
needed for the gauge plate and slice support.
5.2.2.7 In case the slicing machine is provided with a slice support (see Figure 6b)), the slice support
shall meet the following requirements:
— have a maximum clearance of 6 mm both from the gauge plate and the blade guard;
— overlap the blade at least 1 mm when a force of 50 N is applied from any position;
— gap between the slice support and the blade shall not exceed 6 mm.
5.2.2.8 The segment of the exposed blade used for slicing shall be no more than 60° above the
horizontal centre line of the blade (see Figure 6a)).
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Gauge plate
b) Slice support
Key
1 gauge plate 4 product support
2 blade guard 5 slice support
3 blade 7 thumb guard
Figure 6 — Gauge plate and slice support
5.2.2.9 The gauge plate and slice support shall be fixed to the machine in such a way that they cannot
be removed from the machine without the use of tools.
5.2.3 Requirements for blade sharpeners
5.2.3.1 General
Sharpening of the blade shall be performed at a different time to cutting and shall be described in the
instruction handbook (see Clause 7).
The construction of the blade sharpener shall not allow the blade to be sharpened any further when the
gap between the blade and the blade guard exceeds 12 mm in the case of machines fitted with a blade
cover as shown in Figure 4b), and, in any other case, when the gap exceeds 6 mm (see Figure 8b)).
5.2.3.2 Blade sharpener integrated with the machine
5.2.3.2.1 The blade sharpener housing shall be made in such a way that during the normal use of the
machine it ensures a continuous cover over the blade in the same manner as the blade guard or the blade
cover.
5.2.3.2.2 In the sharpening position that part of the blade which is exposed shall not exceed a distance
of 6 mm on each side of the abrasive wheels used for grinding (see Figure 7a)).
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Maximum clearance on each side of the abrasive wheels

b) Sharpening area
Key
1 gauge plate
2 sharpening stone
3 honing stone
4 blade
Figure 7 — Integrated sharpening device
5.2.3.2.3 The blade sharpener shall be removable or tilted (e.g. for cleaning or for servicing). The
residual risk of the exposed part of the blade shall be mentioned in the instruction handbook (see
Clause 7).
The part of the blade guard corresponding to the sharpening area shall meet the following requirements
(see Figure 7b)):
— having a length of its non-covered section ≤ 60 mm;
— exposing the blade for a distance ≤ 6 mm.
5.2.3.3 Separate blade sharpener
The blade sharpener, when fixed (e.g. with a locating device) to the gauge plate or to the product support,
shall be fitted with a sharpener guard protecting the exposed part of the blade used for sharpening.
The clearance between the sharpener guard and either the blade guard or the slice support, when fitted,
shall not be greater than 6 mm. Any gap between the abrasive wheels used for grinding and any fixed
guard shall not exceed 6 mm (see Figure 8a)).
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Separate sharpening device
b) Maximum allowable sharpening
Key
1 gauge plate
2 blade guard
3 blade
4 sharpener guard
5 sharpening stone
6 honing stone
Figure 8 — Gap between the abrasive wheels and any fixed guard
The blade sharpener shall be provided by the manufacturer and identified for use with the respective
machine types. The instruction handbook shall state that a blade sharpener shall only be used with the
machine types for which it was provided.
5.2.4 Product support
5.2.4.1 The product support shall be equipped with a thumb guard so that it covers all parts of the
blade not otherwise protected. When the carriage is at the back position, the thumb guard shall be
≥ 10 mm (see Figure 9) towards to the gauge plate from the cutting edge of the blade not otherwise
covered. The gap between the thumb guard and the cutting edge shall be ≤ 6 mm (see Figure 6a)).
5.2.4.2 The finger guard shall be fixed to the product support and shall be non-removable. The finger
guard shall have at least the same height of the cutting part of the blade and extend at least 150 mm from
the blade. The radius at the corner of the finger guard shall not exceed 30 mm (see Figure 9).
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 finger guard
2 thumb guard
3 blade
Figure 9 — Finger and thumb guard
5.2.4.3 For hygiene reasons, the product support shall be dismounted or tilted for cleaning. It shall not
be possible to remove or to lift the product support unless the gauge plate is in the end stop position. It
shall not be possible to adjust the gauge plate when the product support has been removed or lifted from
the carriage.
This may be achieved by the use of an interlocking device.
5.2.5 Product support with clamping device
5.2.5.1 When a clamping device is provided to keep the product firmly fixed to the sliding plate
during the slicing operation, it may not be practicable to fit a thumb guard and finger guard as described
in 5.2.4.1 and 5.2.4.2. When no such guards are fitted, the edge of the handle on the product support or
sliding plate of the machine shall be at least 80 mm from the plane of the blade. The handle shall also be
fitted with a plate which extends at least 30 mm from the handle to ensure that a thumb cannot reach the
blade (see Figure 10). If the handle is placed at more than 150 mm from the cutting edge of the blade, the
plate is not necessary.
5.2.5.2 The upstand of the product support shall not exceed a height of 15 mm.
5.2.5.3 Any clamping device shall be so arranged that any handle to position or release the clamping
device is not between the device and the blade. At any position of the clamping device, either a guard or
the pusher shall extend at least 50 mm from the end of the handle (see Figure 10b)).
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Product support
b) Clamping device
Key
1 blade 6 clamping handle
2 gauge plate 7 sliding plate
3 product support 8 carriage handle plate
4 pusher 9 carriage handle
5 clamping device
Figure 10 — Product support with clamping device
5.2.5.4 The sliding plate shall be so constructed that it is not possible to remove it from the product
support.
5.2.6 Product support with pusher
5.2.6.1 Unless the pusher or the pusher guard covers the whole cutting area of the blade, when the
pusher is placed at its nearest position to the blade, the distance between the blade and the handle shall
be at least 150 mm.
The handle shall be at least 100 mm long and have a diameter (A) of at least 30 mm and be fitted with a
collar having a diameter (B) of at least double the diameter (A) of the handle (see Figure 11).
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 pusher handle A handle diameter
2 blade B collar diameter
Figure 11 — Pusher handle
5.2.6.2 It shall not be possible to leave the pusher in a raised position unless the gap between the
pusher and the blade is at least 60 mm.
5.2.6.3 It shall not be possible to remove the pusher arm completely or to swing it clear of the
carriage.
5.2.6.4 On gravity feed slicing machines which are inclined to the horizontal by 38° or more, 5.2.6.1,
5.2.6.2 and 5.2.6.3 do not apply provided that the finger guard conforms to the dimensions shown in
Figure 12.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 product support 4 finger guard
2 carriage X height of the finger guard
3 blade guard
Figure 12 — Gravity feed slicing machine – Finger guard
5.2.7 Product support with manual feed carriage
Sliding plates which can be raised for cleaning shall fall by gravity to the normal working position.
The sliding plate shall be provided with a handle meeting the requirements respectively of 5.2.5.1 for the
product support equipped with a clamping device, see Figure 10, and the requirements of 5.2.6.1 for the
product support with pusher, see Figure 11.
5.2.8 Slicing machine with an automatic carriage
In addition to the requirements of 5.2.2.6, the gauge plate shall extend beyond the stroke of the product
support by at least 10 mm. Any gaps between moving parts of the power-driven carriage and the machine
framework shall be so designed that either it is not possible for a finger to enter the gap (i.e. a gap of 6 mm
or less) or the gap is sufficiently large to prevent trapping and crushing (i.e. a gap of 25 mm or more) (see
Figure 13).
In order to minimise the danger of the operator being struck by the carriage, manufacturer shall provide
information in the instruction handbook (see 7.2.3).
The machine shall be designed to avoid automatic movement of the carriage during the sharpening
operation.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 13 — Permissible gaps for automatic carriages
5.2.9 Slicing machines with power-driven pusher
Slicing machines with power-driven pusher shall have an automatic carriage.
When the gauge plate is not used to adjust the slice thickness, it shall not be possible for the gauge plate
to be moved for a greater distance than the maximum slice thickness plus 3 mm.
The provisions of 5.2.4.1, 5.2.4.2, 5.2.5.2, 5.2.6 and 5.2.7 shall not be applied if the machine can only be
used with automatic product feeding, provided that the location of the operator is away from the
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