BS EN 1459-4:2020

What is BS EN 1459‑4 about?   

 BS EN 1459‑4:2020 discusses rough-terrain trucks.  

BS EN 1459‑4 is the part 4 of the document which specifies the safety requirements and means of verification in addition to BS EN 1459-1:2017+A1:2020 and EN 1459-2:2015+A1:2018 as applicable, for rough-terrain variable-reach trucks (hereafter referred to as trucks) designed and intended for handling suspended loads which can swing freely in one or more directions.  

It is applicable to trucks covered by BS EN 1459-1:2017+A1:2020 and EN 1459-2:2015+A1:2018.  

Note1: BS EN 1459‑4 does not deal with load limiter for attachments. 

Note2: BS EN 1459‑4 is not applicable to rough-terrain variable-reach trucks designed and intended for handling suspended loads manufactured before the date of its publication. 

Note3:  BS EN 1459‑4 does not apply to: 

• The lifting of suspended loads which by the design of the load or the lifting attachments does not allow the load to swing freely in any direction 
• The handling of flexible intermediate bulk containers, as defined in ISO 21898:2004, carried under the forks of the truck or with attachments intended for this purpose 
• Any attachments/means used for lifting personnel 
• Lifting accessories 
• Freight container handling trucks 
• Mobile cranes (covered by BS EN 13000:2010+A1:2014)  

Who is BS EN 1459‑4 for?  

BS EN 1459-4 is of relevance, in particular, for the following stakeholder groups representing the market players with regard to machinery safety: 

• Machine manufacturers (small, medium and large enterprises) 
• Health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance, etc.) 
• Machine users/employers (small, medium and large enterprises) 
• Machine users/employees (e.g., trade unions, organizations for people with special needs) 
• Service providers, e.g., for maintenance (small, medium and large enterprises) 
• End consumers (in the case of machinery intended for use by consumers)  

Why should you use BS EN 1459‑4?   

 In a job that includes cranes and lifting projects, an efficient and safe execution is expected. The safety of both workers and equipment is essential. Hence crucial safety guidelines need to be followed which are compliant with regulatory authorities.  

BS EN 1459‑4 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations, or hazardous events, related to trucks handling a freely suspended load, when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer.  

It’s important for the manufacturers, designers, and operators to assess all the risks associated with it. BS EN 1459‑4 specifies the requirements for the safe operation of variable-reach trucks handling freely suspended loads. The design, construction, and installation of variable-reach trucks should conform to BS EN 1459‑4.