Overview
ISO 19224:2017 - Continuous surface miners (CSM) - Safety requirements - is an international, type‑C machinery safety standard that specifies common safety requirements for the design and construction of continuous surface miners. It focuses on protecting workers from accidents and health hazards during operation, loading, transport and maintenance, and addresses foreseeable misuse. The standard identifies significant hazards (see Annex A) and prescribes technical measures to eliminate or reduce risk. Note: ISO 19224:2017 is not applicable to CSM manufactured before its publication date.
Key topics
ISO 19224:2017 covers a broad range of safety and risk‑reduction topics relevant to continuous surface miners, including:
- Risk reduction and verification - Identification of significant hazards and verification methods to ensure effectiveness of protective measures.
- Operator protection - Requirements for operator stations, cabins, seats, controls and indicators, emergency stop and stopping systems.
- Structural protection - Roll‑over protective structures (ROPS), falling‑object protective structures (FOPS) and guarding of hazardous parts.
- Operation & handling - Safe steering, braking, uncontrolled movement prevention, retrieval, lifting, towing and storage facilities.
- Cutting system safety - Cutting drum guards, cutting tool replacement procedures and associated stopping/interlock requirements.
- Pressurized systems & fluids - Safety for hydraulic and pneumatic systems, hoses, tanks and related components.
- Electrical & electronic systems - Degree of protection, over‑current devices, battery safety and auxiliary starting aids.
- Conveyors & material handling - Safe conveyor design and protection measures during loading and transport.
- Environmental hazards - Requirements addressing fire protection, hot components, dust, noise, vibration and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
- Information for use - Instructions, marking and operator manuals to support safe use and maintenance.
Applications and users
ISO 19224:2017 is intended for practical use by:
- Machine manufacturers designing and building continuous surface miners, to meet internationally recognized safety requirements.
- Health & safety regulators and accident prevention bodies assessing equipment compliance.
- Mine operators and employers selecting safe mining equipment and implementing safe operating procedures.
- Maintenance and service providers implementing safe maintenance, lifting and access practices.
- Design engineers integrating ROPS/FOPS, guarding, hydraulic and electrical safety into CSM.
Adoption of ISO 19224:2017 helps reduce workplace incidents, supports conformity assessment, and improves operator safety and machine reliability.
Related standards
ISO 19224:2017 references several earth‑moving and machinery safety standards (e.g., ISO 2860, ISO 2867, ISO 3449, ISO 3471) for access dimensions, ROPS/FOPS tests, guards and operator space - useful for manufacturers and safety assessors to consult alongside ISO 19224:2017.
