What is BS 7121-2-4:2025 - Code of practice for the safe use of loader cranes about?
BS 7121-2-4:2025 provides recommendations for the pre-use checks, in-service inspection, maintenance, thorough examination, and supplementary testing of loader cranes. It applies both to lorry loaders and loader cranes used in other contexts, and includes attachments and interchangeable equipment such as brick grabs, augers, clamshells, pallet forks, fly jibs, and manipulators.
Please note, the standard does not cover stability testing and certification immediately after installation on vehicles or static locations (which is addressed in BS EN 12999) nor does it apply to loader cranes used on marine or water-borne vessels.
Who is BS 7121-2-4:2025 - Code of practice for the safe use of loader cranes for?
The standard is aimed at organizations and individuals who have responsibility for, or involvement in, the use and management of loader cranes, including:
- Maintenance and inspection managers.
- Health and safety specialists.
- Crane operators and testers of crane equipment.
- Site and project managers.
- Construction managers.
- HSE inspectors.
- Industry associations such as the Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and
- Importers (ALLMI), Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA), Safety Assessment
- Federation (SAFed), and the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA).
It is particularly relevant to sectors such as:
- Transport and haulage.
- Plant and equipment hire.
- Plant and equipment maintenance.
- Insurance and risk management.
Previous purchasers include fleet owners, hauliers, engineering consultancies, repair and maintenance companies in the renewable energy sector, and infrastructure providers.
What does BS 7121-2-4:2025 - Code of practice for the safe use of loader cranes cover?
The scope of BS 7121-2-4:2025 includes:
- Pre-use checks of loader cranes.
- In-service inspection and scheduled maintenance.
- Thorough examinations in service and following exceptional circumstances.
- Supplementary testing, such as non-destructive testing and performance tests.
- Use of attachments and interchangeable equipment, e.g. brick grabs, pallet forks, manipulators.
It provides practical guidance for ensuring compliance with best practice and HSE expectations, and supports the creation of policies, procedures, documents, and checklists.
Why should you use BS 7121-2-4:2025 - Code of practice for the safe use of loader cranes?
- Ensures compliance with HSE guidance: While other industry guidance exists (e.g. ALLMI/CPA), HSE specifically refers to BS 7121, giving it a regulatory advantage.
- Provides up-to-date best practice, incorporating recent technological advancements such as stability monitoring systems, swing-up stabilisers, and remote controls.
- Improves clarity on inspection, testing, and terminology, supporting safer operations and reducing ambiguity for duty holders.
- Helps organizations create robust safety management systems, reducing risk of incidents and supporting insurance and liability considerations.
- Brings loader crane practice into alignment with the rest of the BS 7121 series, ensuring consistency across crane-related standards.
What's changed?
The 2025 revision incorporates several key updates to reflect industry developments and clarify best practice:
- Structural component replacement guidance.
- Greater clarity on non-destructive testing (NDT).
- A review and clarification of the performance test requirements.
- Clearer use of the term “static.”
- Emphasis on the importance of operator familiarization.
- Integration of content from BS 7121-4, including inspection, maintenance, and testing requirements.
- Updates reflecting technological advancements, such as stability monitoring systems, swing-up stabilisers and remote controls.
- Clarification of guidance on overload testing, tag axles, NDT, performance testing, and terminology.
- Revised to align with the rest of the BS 7121 series.
