Foreword

Publishing information

This British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 October 2017. It was prepared by Technical Committee MHE/12, Lifting Platforms. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

Supersession

This British Standard supersedes BS 8460:2005, which is withdrawn.

Information about this document

This is a full revision of the standard, and introduces the following principal changes:

• new safe use recommendations, taking into account the latest edition of BS EN 280;
• enhanced recommendations for the risk management process;
• new subclauses for loading and unloading MEWPs and for operating MEWPs near sources of electromagnetic radiation in telecommunications;
• added recommendations for identifying the implications of new safety features on machines, such as telematics, data logging, load sensors, material-handling devices and machine security;
• new recommendations for the prevention of falls while carrying out maintenance on the machine chassis/structure, the prevention of entrapment, and the operation of secondary guarding;
• changes to reflect recent changes in legislation, e.g. the Construction Design and Manufacturing (CDM) Regulations 2015, and the replacement of HSE guidance CIS 58 with GEIS6, which references BS 8460;
• references given to various guidance documents from the Strategic Forum for Construction, Plant Safety Group on ground conditions, medical fitness to operate construction plant, avoiding trapping/crushing injuries, and inspection and thorough examination;
• new definitions for "primary guarding", "secondary guarding", "user" and "deck-riding";
• new informative annexes giving guidance on symbols for MEWPs, machine modifications and CE marking, and controls in addition to the platform controls;
• new normative annex on self-familiarization; and
• new annex giving an example of a rescue plan hierarchy.

This British Standard was drawn up with the participation of HSE representatives.

This British Standard calls for the use of procedures that can be injurious to health if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability and does not absolve the user from legal obligations relating to health and safety at any stage.

Presentational conventions

The provisions of this standard are presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Its recommendations are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.

Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.

The word “should” is used to express recommendations of this standard. The word “may” is used in the text to express permissibility, e.g. as an alternative to the primary recommendation of the clause. The word “can” is used to express possibility, e.g. a consequence of an action or an event.

Notes and commentaries are provided throughout the text of this standard. Notes give references and additional information that are important but do not form part of the recommendations. Commentaries give background information.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

Particular attention is drawn to the following specific regulations:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 [1];
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 [2];
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 [3];
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (as amended) [4];
• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended) [5];
• Construction (Design and Management Regulations) 2015 [6].

Details of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 [2] and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 [3], together with an HSE Approved Code of Practice and HSE Guidance, are given in HSE publications Safe use of lifting equipment [7] and Safe use of work equipment [8].

BS 8460:2017

Code of practice for the safe use of MEWPS

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 Oct 2017