BS EN 81-43:2009

What is BS EN 81-43 – Safety requirements for lifts attached to cranes about? 

BS EN 81 is a European Standard which discusses safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.  

BS EN 81-43 is the 43rd part of the BS EN 81 series which discusses the special lifts for the transport of persons and goods. The main objective of BS EN 81-43 is to provide best industry requirements that ensure lifts for cranes are safe and reliable when in operation.  

BS EN 81-43 specifies the safety requirements for the construction and installation of power operated lifts attached to cranes and intended for access to workplaces on cranes, by authorised persons. This includes intended use, erection, dismantling, inspection and maintenance. The lift serves defined landing levels and has a load carrying unit which is: 

• Designed for the transportation of persons and goods 
• Guided 
• Travelling vertically or along a path within 15 degrees maximum from the vertical 
• Supported by rack and pinion or suspended by steel wire ropes 
• Travelling with a speed not more than 1,0 m/s for permanent lifts and not more than 0,4 m/s for temporary lifts 

BS EN 81-43 identifies hazards as listed in Clause 4 which arise during the various phases in the life of such equipment and describes methods for the elimination or reduction of these hazards when used as intended by the manufacturer. 

BS EN 81-43 deals with the complete lift design but excludes the design of the crane.  

BS EN 81-43 includes the base frame and base enclosure but excludes the design of any concrete, hard core, timber or other foundation arrangement.  

BS EN 81-43 includes the design of mast ties and the design of anchorage parts between the mast tie and the crane structure.  

BS EN 81-43 also includes the design of the landing gates and their fixings. 

Note: BS EN 81-43 is not applicable to: 

• Builders hoists according to EN 12158-1:2000, EN 12158-2:2000 and EN 12159:2000  
• Elevating control stations according to EN 14502-2:2005+A1:2008  
• Lifts according to EN 81-1:1998  
• Work platforms carried on the forks of fork trucks  
• Work platforms  
• Funiculars  
• Lifts specially designed for military purposes  
• Mine lifts  
• Theatre elevators 

Who is BS EN 81-43 - Safety requirements for lifts attached to cranes for?   

BS EN 81-43 on safety requirements for lifts attached to cranes is relevant to:   

• Manufacturers of power operated lifts for use with cranes 
• Manufacturers, suppliers and installers of various interfaces for lifts 
• Quality control and testing authorities 
• Installers and inspection authorities 
• Engineers  
• Product designers  
• Local bodies  

Why should you use BS EN 81-43 - Safety requirements for lifts attached to cranes?   

BS EN 81-43 lists down the potential hazards that can occur while using power operated lifts attached to cranes, that the manufacturer must seek to mitigate after appropriate risk assessment is conducted.  

BS EN 81-43 provides the safety requirements and/or protective measures that can minimize the risk of hazardous or dangerous situations that can cause injury to personnel and damage property. 

Guidance on special verification tests is also provided, that can demonstrate the performance and reliability of locking devices for landing and car gates, buffers, overspeed safety device and overspeed governor, such that the power operated lifts attached to cranes do not present any occupational risks or hazards.  

As a result, if you are a manufacturer of power operated lifts attached to cranes, adopting BS EN 81-43 safety requirements can ensure your lifts are safe, reliable and efficient when in operation.