What is BS 7121-2-4 - Safe use of cranes about?
BS 7121-2-4 is a part of a multi-series of British standards relating to crane safety, specifically loader cranes, permanently or temporarily installed in a work environment.
BS 7121-2-4 gives recommendations for the pre-use checks, in-service inspection, maintenance, thorough examination (in service and following exceptional circumstances), and supplementary testing of loader cranes.
BS 7121-2-4 also covers lifting accessories, attachments, and interchangeable equipment that may be used in conjunction with loader cranes, such as brick grabs, muck grabs, augers, clamshells, pallet forks, wire rope hoists, fly jibs, magnets, vacuum lifters, manipulators, integrated man baskets and spreaders.
Note: BS 7121-2-4 does not cover the stability testing and certification immediately following installation of loaders cranes on vehicles, or in static locations. This is covered by BS EN 12999. BS 7121-2-4 is not applicable to lorry loaders or loader cranes on marine and other water-borne vessels.
Who is BS 7121-2-4 - Safe use of cranes for?
BS 7121-2-4 on codes of practice for the safe use of cranes is relevant to:
- Crane operators
- Construction managers
- Health and safety executives
- Site project managers
- Testers of crane equipment
Why should you use BS 7121-2-4 - Safe use of cranes?
Loader cranes have traditionally been used to load and unload vehicles on which they are mounted, these vehicles, complete with the crane, are referred to as “lorry loaders”. Increasingly loader cranes are being used in place of mobile or overhead cranes. Loader cranes can be installed in a static location, for instance on a quay, in a factory or on the roof of a building.
BS 7121-2-4 gives recommendations for pre-use checks, in-service inspection, maintenance, thorough examination (in service and following exceptional circumstances), and supplementary testing of loader cranes.
BS 7121-2-4 also covers lifting accessories, attachments, and interchangeable equipment that may be used in conjunction with loader cranes, such as brick grabs, muck grabs, augers, clamshells, pallet forks, wire rope hoists, fly jibs, magnets, vacuum lifters, manipulators, integrated man baskets and spreaders. Use of the guidance given in BS 7121-2-4 for inspection, maintenance, and testing of loader cranes, can help protect the safety of crane operators and also be taken as an indication of good practice on site.
