BS EN 1495-1997 + A2-2009 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN 1495:1997 + A2:2009 — Lifting platforms. Mast climbing work platforms. This adopted British Standard (EN adoption) specifies special safety requirements, verification methods and information for use for mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs) used to lift persons, equipment and materials vertically along one or more masts.

Abstract

EN 1495 (with Amendment A2:2009) defines hazards specific to mast-climbing work platforms and sets out design, construction, stability, guarding, drive and control, overload and overspeed protection, inspection and information requirements to reduce the risk of injury or uncontrolled movements. It applies to temporarily installed and some permanently installed rack-and-pinion guided MCWPs and excludes other classes of access equipment (for example MEWPs and suspended access equipment).

General information

• Status: Published / national adoption as BS EN 1495:1997+A2:2009 (current national publication for the UK listing).
• Publication date: Listed national publication date: 30 April 2010 (amendment A2 originates from 2009; the consolidated BS adoption is recorded 2010).
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) — national adoption of EN 1495.
• ICS / categories: 53.020.99 (Other lifting equipment) — Machinery safety / lifting equipment.
• Edition / version: EN 1495:1997 amended by A2:2009 — published nationally as BS EN 1495:1997+A2:2009.
• Number of pages: 76 pages (BS national publication record).

Scope

The standard is applicable to mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs) that are elevated by rack-and-pinion and guided by and moving along their supporting masts. It covers combinations of single/multiple masts, tied or untied masts, fixed or variable-length masts, vertical or slightly inclined masts, movable or static bases and a range of drive systems (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic). It identifies hazards across the life-cycle (design, erection, use, maintenance, dismantling) and gives requirements for elimination or reduction of those hazards; it does not cover mobile elevating work platforms (EN 280), suspended access equipment (EN 1808) or lifts/hoists delivering persons to fixed landing levels.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and scope distinguishing MCWPs from builder’s hoists, MEWPs and fixed lifts.
• Structural strength and stability requirements for masts, platforms, base frames and outriggers (including informative structural calculation guidance).
• Requirements for drive systems, braking, overspeed protection and redundant or independent motor arrangements to prevent uncontrolled falls.
• Electrical/electronic safety and overload-detection requirements (including verification/testing procedures).
• Guarding, edge protection, access/egress, safe working loads, and information for use (marking, instructions, inspection and maintenance).
• Requirements for multilevel platforms (where applicable) and special design considerations for permanently installed units versus temporary installations.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers and designers of mast-climbing work platforms, safety and compliance engineers, installers and maintenance personnel, principal contractors and site safety officers, notified bodies and regulators assessing conformity to machinery safety requirements. Industry guidance and operator training providers (for example IPAF) reference EN 1495 when preparing safe-use guidance for MCWPs.

Related standards

Referenced or complementary standards include EN 280 (mobile elevating work platforms / MEWPs), EN 1808 (suspended access equipment), EN 1570 (lifting tables) and other machine safety standards for electrical/electronic controls and guarding; EN 1495 also supports conformity assessment against the Machinery Directive (e.g. 2006/42/EC). National adoptions (BS, SIS, NEN, etc.) and guidance documents (HSE, IPAF) often cross-reference EN 1495 for MCWP safety issues.

Keywords

mast climbing work platform, MCWP, lifting platform, rack-and-pinion, overspeed protection, structural stability, guarding, overload detection, machine safety, EN 1495, BS EN 1495.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: BS EN 1495:1997 + A2:2009 is the British adoption of European Standard EN 1495 (1997) with Amendment A2 (2009) covering safety requirements for mast-climbing work platforms.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers hazards, design and verification requirements, protective measures (structural, drive, braking, overload and guarding) and information for use for mast-climbing work platforms, and clarifies what equipment is inside or outside its scope (e.g., excludes MEWPs and suspended access equipment).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, designers, inspection bodies, site safety managers, installers and maintenance teams, and regulatory authorities; industry bodies producing safe-use guidance (e.g., IPAF) also reference it.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The consolidated national adoption is published as BS EN 1495:1997+A2:2009 (recorded in BSI listings). Users should confirm the current national status and any later revisions or replacements with the national standards body (BSI) or the relevant CEN committee, because national implementations and withdrawal/revision statuses may change over time.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a Type-C machinery safety standard specific to mast-climbing work platforms and is used alongside other EN standards addressing different classes of access equipment (for example EN 280 for MEWPs) and general machine safety standards referenced for controls and electrical requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Mast climbing work platform, MCWP, lifting platform, rack-and-pinion, overspeed, overload detection, guarding, structural stability, EN 1495, BS EN 1495.