40
access
INTERNATIONAL
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
SAFETYAT HEIGHT
10
Where aMEWPhas
‘exchangeable’
platforms, a set of new requirements
has been included to ensure that when
swapping the platform for one of a
different size or capacity theMEWP
cannotmove until the new platformhas
been attached and secured and that the
control systemwill automatically adapt to
the newwork platform (Clause 5.6.17).
An
‘exchangeable’
platform is onewhich
can be exchanged by the operator without
the use of tools.
11
The new version of the standardhas
a requirement that operators on the
platform are protected against being
crushed over the control panel when
the platform ismoving.There is also
a requirement that all controls are
constructed to prevent inadvertent
operation and that hand operated
controls in the platform are protected
against sustained involuntary operation.
This protection should either prevent
furthermovement of themachine in
the direction of trapping or allow the
operator to reverse or stop the trapping
movement (Clauses 5.6.16 and 5.7.1).
The requirement is a response to
concern over overhead trapping issues
that have occurred over the past
few years.
12
A related issue is the overriding of
safety systems such as emergency stop
controls and load sensing systems,where
a person is trapped or incapacitated in
the platform and needs to be rescued
using the ground controls.EN
280:2013 has a requirement for a
control which allows the safety systems
to be overridden, but leaves a visible
indication that the control has been
used or tamperedwith.Resetting the
control requires the use of a tool such as a
physical tool or password (Clause 5.7.9).
13
Allmachines have tomeet Electro
MagneticCompatibility (EMC)
requirements to ensure that they are not
affected by electromagnetic radiation in
the area inwhich they areworking or
emit levels of electromagnetic radiation
that could affect othermachines.The
new version of the standard sets out
requirements for EMC immunity (Clause
5.8.6.).
14
There areminor changes to the
requirements for the design of hydraulic
cylinders, giving special consideration to
the rod/piston connection and end-cap
design (Clause 5.10.1.1).
15
The previous version of EN 280 required
safety related parts of control systems
tomeet the categories toEN 954-1 set
out inTable 4.EN 280:2013 requires
machines with oscillating axles (See
Item 16.b).
3
The requirements for load sensing
systems have an additional requirement
that if the load sensing system is actuated
while thework platform is stationary, it
shall prevent all normalmovement of the
work platform. (Clause 5.4.1.2).
4
MEWPs withmore than one rated load
and oneworking envelope require an
indicator to showwhich combinationhas
beenmanually selected (Clause 5.4.1.7)
5
In the previous version of EN 280
physical scissor guards were not required
for scissor lifts
‘designed to pass through
openingswith awidth of about 1.2m
and a height of about 2m’
. In this case
the standard allowed the use of descent
controls which automatically brought the
platform to a stop at a height at which
the vertical distance of the outer ends
of the scissor arms were not less than
50mm.The operator thenhad to release
the control and reselect to continue
descending, providing a reminder to look
for people in the area of the scissors.EN
280:2013 has extended this option to
scissor lifts of all widths,with additional
requirements of aminimum time delay
before the descent restarts, audible and
visual warnings during the final descent
and a reduced descent speed. (Clause
5.4.3).
6
Many boom typemachines have a facility
to adjust the platform level using the
platform controls.EN 280:2013 has a
new requirement that this adjustment can
only be carried out when the platform is
stationary (Clause 5.6.1).
7
There are new requirements for the size
of access apertures on platforms with a
fixed top rail.Minimum dimensions for
the aperture are specified,with larger
dimensions to be achievedwhere possible.
There is also a requirement that
‘Sliding
or vertically hinged intermediate guard-
rails shall be capable of being held in the
open positionwith one handwhilst a person
enters or leaves the platform’
(Clause 5.6.3).
8
The previous version of EN 280made
nomention of anchorages for fall
protection equipment.EN 280:2013
requires that the platform is fittedwith
anchorages for attachingwork restraint
equipment to prevent occupants falling
from the platform in the event of sudden
movement (Clause 5.6.14).
9
EN 280:2013 has a requirement that the
vibration dose experienced by people in
the platform is kept
‘as low as possible’
(Clause 5.6.15).
compliancewith the new control
systems standard,EN ISO 13849-1, and
performance levels set out in a revised
Table 4 (Clause 5.11).
16
The new standardhas some additional
requirements for the type tests that
are carried out by themanufacturer
(Clause 6):
a
New requirements for stability tests
for scissor lifts with extension decks
(Clause 6.1.4.2);
b
New requirements for dynamic tests
for crawlermountedMEWPs and
MEWPs equippedwith locking
oscillating axles (Clause 6.1.4.2.2.2);
c
Anew test forMEWPs supported in
theworking position by pneumatic
tyres or non-rigid suspensions (Clause
6.1.4.4).
17
There are requirements for additional
information in the instructions supplied
with theMEWP (Clause 7):
a
Additional instructions are required
for access position(s),maximum
permitted slope,whole body
vibration, travellingwith crawler
machines, exchangeable platforms,
use of restraint devices and disposal of
materials (Clause 7.1.1.2 a), b), l), q),
r), s),&w));
b
Information on periodic inspection of
rotating parts& pins (Clause 7.1.1.5
b) 1));
c
Information on inspection of harness
anchor points (Clause 7.1.1.7 k)).
18
Additionalmarking requirements have
been included:
a
Inclusion of designation ofmachinery
(Clause 7.2.1 b));
b
Marking of anchorage points (Clause
7.2.3);
c
If theMEWPhasmore than
one rated load the loads shall
be tabulated in relation to the
configuration of thework platform
(Clause 7.2.4);
d
Exchangeablework platforms shall
be permanently and clearlymarked
in an easily visible placewith the
manufacturer’s or supplier’s name and
a part number (Clause 7.2.10);
e
Self propelledMEWPs where the
travel is controlled from the platform
andwith extending structures that
can be rotated throughmore than
90°, shall bemarked on the basewith
arrows to indicatewhich direction the
MEWPwillmovewhen the travel
controls in the platform are operated
(Clause 7.2.19).
19
An additional normativeAnnex Fhas
been included, setting out requirements
for wireless controls and control
systems.
AI
