What is BS EN 280‑1 - Safety requirements of Mobile Elevating Work Platform about?
BS EN 280 is a series on mobile elevating work platforms. Mobile elevating work platforms is a mobile machine. BS EN 280‑1 specifies safety requirements and measures for all types and sizes of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP, see 3.1) intended to move persons to work positions where they are carrying out work from the work platform (WP) with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis.
BS EN 280‑1 is applicable to the structural design calculations and stability criteria, construction, safety examinations and tests before MEWPs are first put into service. It identifies the hazards arising from the use of MEWPs and describes methods for the elimination or reduction of these hazards.
Note 1: BS EN 280‑1 does not cover the hazards arising from:
- Use in potentially explosive atmospheres
- Work from the platform on external live electric systems
- Use of compressed gases for load-bearing components
- Getting on and off the work platform at changing levels
- Specific applications (e.g., railways, ships) are covered by national or local regulations
Note 2: BS EN 280‑1 document does not apply to:
- Machinery serving fixed landings (see e.g., EN 81-20:2020 and EN 81-50:2020, EN 12159:2012)
- Firefighting and fire rescue appliances (see e.g., EN 1777:2010)
- Unguided work cages suspended from lifting appliances (see e.g., EN 1808:2015)
- Elevating operator position on rail dependent storage and retrieval equipment (see EN 528:2021)
- Tail lifts (see EN 1756-1:2021 and EN 1756-2:2004+A1:2009)
- Mast climbing work platforms (see EN 1495:1997+A2:2009)
- Fairground equipment
- Lifting tables (see EN 1570-1:2011+A1:2014 and EN 1570-2:2016)
- Aircraft ground support equipment (see e.g., EN 1915-1:2013 and EN 1915-2:2001+A1:2009)
- Elevating operator positions on industrial trucks (see EN ISO 3691-3:2016)
Who is BS EN 280‑1 - Safety requirements of Mobile Elevating Work Platform for?
BS EN 280‑1 on safety requirements of Mobile Elevating Work Platform is useful for:
- Mobile elevating work platforms manufacturers
- Transport trucks manufacturers
- Design engineers
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 280‑1 - Safety requirements of Mobile Elevating Work Platform?
Mobile elevating work platforms is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height. The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and hazardous events are covered are indicated in the scope of BS EN 280‑1. When provisions of this type C standard are different from those which are stated in type A or B standards, the provisions of this type C standard take precedence over the provisions of the other standards, for machines that have been designed and built according to the provisions of this type C standard. The object of BS EN 280‑1 is to define rules for safeguarding persons and objects against the risk of accidents associated with the operation of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms. It is assumed that Mobile Elevating Work Platforms are used only by qualified and trained operators. It is also assumed that Mobile Elevating Work Platforms are checked for function daily by the operator before the start of work and are not put into operation unless all required control and safety devices/functions are available and in working order.
If a Mobile Elevating Work Platform is seldom used, the checks may be made before the start of work. As far as possible BS EN 280‑1 set out only the requirements that materials and equipment need to meet in the interest of safety, and it is assumed that persons operating MEWPs are adequately trained. Where for clarity an example of a safety measure is given in the text, this does not need to be considered as the only possible solution. Any other solution leading to the same risk reduction is permissible if an equivalent level of safety is achieved. As no satisfactory explanation could be found for the dynamic factors used for stability calculations in previous national standards, the results of the tests carried out by the former CEN/TC 98/WG 1 to determine a suitable factor and stability calculation method for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms have been adopted. The test method is described in BS EN 280‑1 as a guide for manufacturers wishing to use higher or lower operating speeds and to take advantage of developments in control systems. Using BS EN 280‑1 you can specify safety requirements and measures for all types and sizes of Mobile Elevating Work Platform.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 280‑1:2022 supersedes BS EN 280:2013+A1:2015. BS EN 280‑1:2022 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 280:2013+A1:2015. These include:
- 3.12: definition of “travelling” has been specified
- 3.29: a new definition of “lowered travel position”
- 3.30: a new definition of “Safety function”
- 3.31: a new definition of “Elevated travel position”
- 4.4.1.2: requirements for the load sensing system were amended and specified
