RR754 - Evaluation of EN 60745 series of test codes: BS EN 60745-2-11:2003 reciprocating saws
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has an ongoing programme of research with the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to investigate the relationship between manufacturers' declared vibration emission, HSL measured emission and vibration measured during simulated real, or real use for different categories of tool.
The work described in this report assesses the standard test defined in BS EN 60745-2-11:2003 as amended by A11:2007 (Amd. No 17266) for usability and reproducibility. The tools encompassed under the standard are sabre saws and jigsaws. The vibration emission values obtained according to the provisions of the test code were compared with vibration magnitudes measured under simulated real operating conditions.
The report concludes that the standard is not capable of producing vibration emission values which represent the upper quartile of in-use vibration magnitudes. Duty holders should be advised that manufacturers' data according to BS EN 60745-2-11:2003 as amended by A11:2007 (Amd. No 17266) provides an underestimate of magnitude for the purposes of risk assessment.
Since the testing was carried out at HSL, a draft revision for public comment has been issued for BS EN 60745-2-11:2003, which proposes some changes to the current test code. Further work may be necessary to evaluate the effect of these changes.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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