What is this standard about?
It provides recommendations for the safe use of mobile cranes that are used for a wide variety of lifting operations in numerous locations.
Who is this standard for?
It will be actively used by anyone planning and carrying out lifting operations with mobile cranes in the UK and applies to all UK mobile crane users, owners and operators.
Why should you use this standard?
It provides recommendations for dealing with the hazards caused by mobility and the diversity of locations of mobile crane lifting operations. It also supplies in depth guidance on complying with the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and is used by both the Health and Safety Executive and the courts as an indication of good practice.
What’s changed since the last update?
The use of mobile cranes has changed significantly since this standard was first published in 2000 and since then, its companion standards have also been revised:
- BS 7121-1: Code of practice for the safe use of cranes. General
- BS 7121-2 series: Code of practice for the safe use of cranes. Inspection, maintenance and thorough examination
There have also been some significant changes to how risk based planning ismo applied. Specifically, the 2017 version of BS 7121-3 includes:
- Additional requirements for multiple lifting
- Additional detail on ground conditions and the loads imposed on the ground by mobile cranes
- Layout revisions which group planning issues together and improve readability
NOTE: This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with BS 7121-1:2016 which gives general recommendations for all types of cranes and BS 7121-2:2012 which gives general guidance on inspection, testing and examination of all types of cranes.
