Article 6. SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS - HAZARDS DUE TO THE LIFTING OF PERSONS of machinery directive 2006/42/EC

The text in RED color is the amended or added text in comparison with the former 98/37/EC machinery directive

​6. SUPPLEMENTARY ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR MACHINERY PRESENTING PARTICULAR HAZARDS DUE TO THE LIFTING OF PERSONS

Machinery presenting hazards due to the lifting of persons must meet all the relevant essential health and safety requirements described in this chapter  (see General Principles, point 4).

6.1. GENERAL

6.1.1. Mechanical strength

The carrier, including any trapdoors, must be designed and constructed in such a way as to offer the space and strength corresponding to the maximum number of persons permitted on the carrier and the maximum working load.

The working coefficients for components set out in sections 4.1.2.4 and 4.1.2.5 are inadequate for machinery intended for the lifting of persons and must, as a general rule, be doubled. Machinery intended for lifting persons or persons and goods must be fitted with a suspension or supporting system for the carrier designed and constructed in such a way as to ensure an adequate overall level of safety and to prevent the risk of the carrier falling.

If ropes or chains are used to suspend the carrier, as a general rule, at least two independent ropes or chains are required, each with its own anchorage.

6.1.2. Loading control for machinery moved by power other than human strength

The requirements of section 4.2.2 apply regardless of the maximum working load and overturning moment, unless the manufacturer can demonstrate that there is no risk of overloading or overturning.

6.2. CONTROL DEVICES

Where safety requirements do not impose other solutions, the carrier must, as a general rule, be designed and constructed in such a way that persons in the carrier have means of controlling upward and downward movements and, if appropriate, other movements of the carrier.

In operation, those control devices must override any other devices controlling the same movement with the exception of emergency stop devices.

The control devices for these movements must be of the hold-to-run type except where the carrier itself is completely enclosed.

6.3. RISKS TO PERSONS IN OR ON THE CARRIER

6.3.1. Risks due to movements of the carrier

Machinery for lifting persons must be designed, constructed or equipped in such a way that the acceleration or deceleration of the carrier does not engender risks for persons.

6.3.2. Risk of persons falling from the carrier

The carrier must not tilt to an extent which creates a risk of the occupants falling, including when the machinery and carrier are moving.

Where the carrier is designed as a work station, provision must be made to ensure stability and to prevent hazardous movements.

If the measures referred to in section 1.5.15 are not adequate, carriers must be fitted with a sufficient number of suitable anchorage points for the number of persons permitted on the carrier. The anchorage points must be strong enough for the use of personal protective equipment against falls from a height.

Any trapdoor in floors or ceilings or side doors must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent inadvertent opening and must open in a direction that obviates any risk of falling, should they open unexpectedly.

6.3.3. Risk due to objects falling on the carrier

Where there is a risk of objects falling on the carrier and endangering persons, the carrier must be equipped with a protective roof.

6.4. MACHINERY SERVING FIXED LANDINGS

6.4.1. Risks to persons in or on the carrier

The carrier must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent risks due to contact between persons and/or objects in or on the carrier with any fixed or moving elements. Where necessary in order to fulfil this requirement, the carrier itself must be completely enclosed with doors fitted with an interlocking device that prevents hazardous movements of the carrier unless the doors are closed. The doors must remain closed if the carrier stops between landings where there is a risk of falling from the carrier.

The machinery must be designed, constructed and, where necessary, equipped with devices in such a way as to prevent uncontrolled upward or downward movement of the carrier. These devices must be able to stop the carrier at its maximum working load and at the foreseeable maximum speed.

The stopping action must not cause deceleration harmful to the occupants, whatever the load conditions.

6.4.2. Controls at landings

Controls, other than those for emergency use, at landings must not initiate movements of the carrier when:

- the control devices in the carrier are being operated,

- the carrier is not at a landing.

6.4.3. Access to the carrier

The guards at the landings and on the carrier must be designed and constructed in such a way as to ensure safe transfer to and from the carrier, taking into consideration the foreseeable range of goods and persons to be lifted.

6.5. MARKINGS

The carrier must bear the information necessary to ensure safety including:

- the number of persons permitted on the carrier,

- the maximum working load.