Standard
Designated

BS EN 280-1:2022 - TC

Mobile elevating work platforms - Design calculations. Stability criteria. Construction. Safety. Examinations and tests

Current, Under Review

Published:

What is BS EN 2801 - 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 2801 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 2801 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 2801 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 2801 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 2801 - Safety requirements of Mobile Elevating Work Platform for?

BS EN 2801 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 2801 - 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 2801. 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 2801 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 2801 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 2801 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 2801 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 2801:2022 supersedes BS EN 280:2013+A1:2015. BS EN 2801:2022 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
Product Details
Descriptors
Stability
Design calculations
Structural design
Occupational safety
Mobile working platforms
Materials handling equipment
Accident prevention
Hoists
Mechanical testing
Passenger hoists
Control devices
Lifting equipment
Performance testing
ICS Codes
53.020.99 Other lifting equipment
Committee
MHE/12/1
International relationships
Identical to:

EN 280-1

ISBN
978 0 539 21285 3
Publisher
BSI