What is BS EN 1808 - Safety requirements for suspended access equipment about?
BS EN 1808 includes information that building designers, structural engineers, and contractors need to consider before specific suspended access equipment (SAE) manufacturers/suppliers are appointed.
BS EN 1808 has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 98 “Lifting platforms”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
BS EN 1808 specifies the requirements, test methods, marking and information to be provided by the manufacturer/supplier for suspended access equipment (SAE). BS EN 1808 is applicable to both permanent and temporary equipment which can be powered or hand-operated and which are defined in Clause 3. BS EN 1808 is not applicable to SAE which is manufactured before the date of its publication as an EN.
The following are not covered in BS EN 1808:
- Operation in severe and special conditions (e.g., extreme environmental conditions, corrosive environments, strong magnetic fields)
- Operation subject to special rules (e.g., potentially explosive atmospheres, work on live overhead electrical lines)
- Transportation of passengers from one level to another
- Handling of loads that could lead to a dangerous situation (e.g., molten metal, acids/bases, radioactive materials)
- Working platforms suspended by cranes
- Silo access equipment
- SAE using chains for the direct suspension of a platform
- SAE using fibre ropes for the suspension of a platform
- SAE intended to be used underground
- SAE intended to be used in shafts
- SAE directly powered by combustion engines
Who is BS EN 1808- Safety requirements for suspended access equipment for?
BS EN 1808 on safety requirements for suspended access equipment is useful for:
- Civil engineers
- Architects
- Construction builders
- Construction workers
- Stability testing agencies
Why should you use BS EN 1808- Safety requirements for suspended access equipment?
BS EN 1808 deals with significant hazards pertinent to SAE when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer. BS EN 1808 specifies appropriate technical measures to eliminate or reduce risks arising from the significant hazards.
The requirements of BS EN 1808 include the rails, tracks, and other support systems on which SAE depends for their integrity and safety as well as taking into account all associated loads and fixings to the building structure. All SAE shall comply with the safety requirements and/or protective measures in Clause 6 to Clause 14 of BS EN 1808. In addition, the machine shall be designed according to the principles of EN ISO 12100 for relevant but not significant hazards, which are not dealt with by BS EN 1808.
During the design of SAE appropriate provisions were made for their safe use. These provisions shall include recommendations for rescue. The design calculations defined in BS EN 1808 are carried out in accordance with the permissible stress method.
