BS EN 13155:2020

What is BS EN 13155 about?   

BS EN 13155 specifies safety requirements for the following non-fixed load lifting attachments for cranes, hoists, and manually controlled load manipulating devices: 

• Plate clamps 
•  Vacuum lifters 
• Self-priming 
• Non-self-priming (pump, venturi, turbine) 
• Lifting magnets: 
• Electric lifting magnets (battery fed and mains-fed) 
• Permanent lifting magnets 
• Electro-permanent lifting magnets 
• C-hooks 
• Lifting beams 
• Lifting forks 
• Clamps 
• Lifting insert systems for use in normal-weight concrete, 

Note 1: BS EN 13155 does not give requirements for: 

• Non-fixed load lifting attachments in direct contact with foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals requiring a high level of cleanliness for hygiene reasons 
• Hazards resulting from handling specific hazardous materials (e.g., explosives, hot molten masses, radiating materials) 
• Hazards caused by operation in an explosive atmosphere 
• Hazards caused by noise 
• Hazards relating to the lifting of persons 
• Electrical hazards 
• Hazards due to hydraulic and pneumatic components.  

Note 2: BS EN 13155 covers the proof of static strength, elastic stability, and the proof of fatigue strength.  

Note 3: BS EN 13155 does not cover slings, ladles, expanding mandrels, buckets, grabs, or grab buckets. BS EN 13155 does not cover power-operated container handling spreaders, which are in the scope of EN 15056. 

Note 4: BS EN 13155 does not generally apply to attachments intended to lift above people. Some attachments that are suitable for that purpose are equipped with additional safety features. In such cases, the additional safety features are specified in the specific requirements. 

Who is BS EN 13155 for?  

BS EN 13155 on non-fixed load lifting attachments is useful for:  

• Crane attachment manufacturers 
• Crane operators 
• Crane maintenance servicemen 
• Safety and regulatory bodies  

Why should you use BS EN 13155?   

 Although cranes are designed to lift and move heavy objects safely, they pose several potential hazards. Unsafe operations of load-lifting attachments can lead to injuries and damage to goods. It’s important for the manufacturers, designers, and operators to assess all the risks associated with it. BS EN 13155 applies to the use of non-fixed load lifting attachments for cranes, equipment. The intent of BS EN 13155 is to prevent injuries and fatalities from:  

• Falling or ejected objects 
• Lifting accessories and their components 
• Load lifting attachments becoming unstable or breaking 

BS EN 13155 has been prepared to be a harmonized standard to provide one means for non-fixed load lifting attachments used on cranes to conform with the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Directive, as amended. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 13155:2020 supersedes BS EN 13155:2003+A2:2009, which is withdrawn 

 The main modifications between EN 13155:2003+A2:2009 and EN 13155:2020 concern: 

• General requirement to introduce the reference to EN 13001-1 and −2 for the calculation 
• Vacuum lifters 
• Lifting magnet 
• The addition to the scope of lifting insert systems for lifting prefabricated concrete products 
• Reduction of load changes from 20000 to 16000 in all clauses