BS EN 1459-1:2017+A1:2020

What is BS EN 1459-1 about?  

BS EN 1459-1 discusses rough-terrain trucks.  BS EN 1459-1 specifies the safety requirements of self-propelled variable-reach rough terrain trucks intended to handle loads, equipped with a telescopic lifting means (pivoted boom), on which a load handling device (e.g., carriage and fork arms) is fitted.

For the purpose of BS EN 1459-1, rough-terrain variable-reach trucks are designed to transport, lift and place loads and can be driven on unimproved terrain.

Fork arms are considered to be part of the truck. Trucks can also be equipped with a variety of attachments (e.g., bale spikes, mowers, sweepers). 

Note 1: BS EN 1459-1 does not apply to:

• Slewing variable reach rough terrain trucks covered by EN 1459-2
• Industrial variable reach trucks covered by EN ISO 3691-2
• Lorry-mounted variable reach trucks
• Variable reach trucks fitted with tilting or elevating operator position
• Mobile cranes covered by EN 13000
• Machines designed primarily for earthmoving, even if their buckets and blades are replaced with forks (see EN 474 series)
• Trucks designed primarily with variable length load suspension elements (e.g., chain, ropes) from which the load may swing freely in all directions
• Trucks fitted with personnel work platforms, designed to move persons to elevated working positions
• Trucks designed primarily for container handling
• Trucks on tracks
• Trucks with articulated chassis

Note 2: BS EN 1459-1 does not address hazards linked to:

• Hybrid power systems
• Gas power system
• Gasoline engine system
• Battery power system
• Tractor-specific devices (e.g., PTO).

Who is BS EN 1459-1 for? 

BS EN 1459-1 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 businesses)
• Health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance etc.)
• Machine users/employers (small, medium and large businesses)
• Machine users/employees (e.g., trade unions, organizations for people with special needs)
• Service providers, e.g., for maintenance (small, medium and large businesses)

Why should you use BS EN 1459-1?

Rough-terrain variable-reach trucks are designed to transport, lift and place loads and can be driven on unimproved terrain. People who work with variable reach trucks can find themselves in hazardous situations where severe injury might occur to them. It’s important for the manufacturers, designers, and operators to assess all the risks associated with it. Hence crucial safety guidelines need to be followed which are compliant with regulatory authorities.

BS EN 1459-1 deals with all the significant hazards, hazardous situations, and events relevant to the trucks when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer. BS EN 1459-1 helps you to demonstrate the safety of their industrial trucks and ultimately reduce the risks of hazardous situations.

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 1459-1:2017+A1:2020 supersedes BS EN 1459-1:2017, which is withdrawn.

In comparison with the previous edition EN 1459:1998+A3:2012, the following significant changes have been made:

• Industrial variable-reach trucks have been removed from the scope and are dealt with in EN ISO 3691-2 and EN 16307-2
• Annexes giving stability tests requirements have been removed; this standard refers to the ISO 22915 series for stability tests
• LPG-engine powered trucks have been removed from the scope
• Performance level requirements for safety functions have been added in a table
• Ergonomic requirements have been added