What is this standard about?
This British Standard is one in series giving recommendations on the safe use of different types of crane. This part covers the safe use of tower cranes. The standard is cited by the HSE as good practice guidance to meeting the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, so its use helps improve safety and helps crane owners and operators comply with their legal duties.
Who is this standard for?
- Plant hire companies
- Trade bodies
- Health and safety specialists
- Construction businesses
- Crane owners and operators
- Training organizations
- Those responsible for managing the safe use of tower cranes
- Those responsible for managing the maintenance and inspection of tower cranes
- Appointed persons planning lifting operations with tower cranes
- Crane supervisors supervising lifting operations with tower cranes
- Slingers and signallers
- HSE inspectors
- Lifting Equipment Engineers Association
- Insurers
- Universities
Why should you use this standard?
This part of BS 7121 gives recommendations for the safe use of tower cranes, including self‑erecting tower cranes other than mobile self-erecting tower cranes (which are covered in BS 7121-3).
Subjects covered include: safe systems of work, selection, erection, extension (including climbing), dismantling, maintenance, inspection, thorough examination (including testing), operation, and the planning and management of lifting operations.
It also covers the appropriate selection and training of personnel involved in the safe installation and use of tower cranes.
NOTE: This part of BS 7121 is intended to be read in conjunction with BS 7121-1 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that lifting operations are carried out safely.
What’s changed since the last update?
This is a full revision of the standard to align it with BS 7121-1:2016 and address the causes of incidents that have occurred since the last edition was published. It includes new and additional recommendations in a number of areas. The major revisions are:
- Changes to lift categories and other changes in BS 7121-1:2016
- Revision and expansion of Clause 13 on climbing, in line with the CPA's Best Practice Guide on Climbing of Tower Cranes published in 2011
- Erecting tower cranes alongside railways and other hazardous sites
- Revision of Clause 12 on erecting, dismantling and alteration of height
- Additional recommendations on in-service and out-of-service wind
- Additional recommendations on leaving tower cranes out of service
- Additional recommendations on base and tie design and installation, in line with the forthcoming revision of CIRIA C654
- Additional recommendations for ensuring the safe access of tower crane operators on site
- Additional recommendations for tower crane power supplies, earthing arrangements and lightning protection
- Recommendations for rescue of personnel from height
- Additional recommendations for operating tower cranes in the vicinity of aerodromes, notification and enroute obstacle lighting
- Additional recommendations for the selection of tower cranes, taking account of anticipated utilization
- Recommendations for the attachment of accessories to tower cranes
- Recommendations for lifting inside the load curve of luffing jib tower cranes
- Recommendations on tower crane related fire hazards
- Recommendations on preventing objects falling from tower cranes
- Full coverage of self-erecting tower cranes
