17.2.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 37/5 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 89/392/EEC on the approximation of the 
laws of the Member States relating to machinery 
COM(89) 624 final - SYN 233 
(Submitted by the Commission on 21 December 1989) 
(90/C 37/06) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas machinery entailing specific risks due either to 
its mobility or its ability to lift loads, or to both of these 
phenomena together, must satisfy both the general health 
and safety reguirements set out in Council Directive 
89/392/EEC (') and the health and safety requirements 
relating to those specific risks; 
Where it is unnecessary to provide for certification 
procedures for those types of machinery other than those 
initially provided for in Directive 89/392/EEC; 
Whereas prescribing supplementary health and safety 
requirements for the specific risks due to mobility and 
the lifting of loads can be effected by amending 
Directive 89/392/EEC to include these complementary 
provisions; whereas this amendment can be used to 
correct certain imperfections in the essential health and 
safety requirements applying to all machinery; Whereas it is necessary to provide for transitional 
arrangements to allow manufacturers to place on the 
market and into service machinery manufactured 
immediately before the date of application of the 
Directive; 
Whereas certain equipment or machinery covered by 
existing Directives come within the scope of this 
Directive; whereas it is preferable to have one single 
Directive to cover all equipment, whereas therefore it is 
desirable that the relevant existing Directives be repealed 
on the date of this Directive, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
Directive 89/392/EEC is hereby amended as follows: 
1. The following paragraph is added to Article 1 (2): 
' "Machinery" also means interchangeable 
equipment which is placed on the market for the 
purpose of being assembled with a machine or a 
series of different machines or to a tractor by the 
operator himself in so far as this equipment is not a 
spare part or a tool.' 
2. The first indent of Article 1 (3) is deleted. 
3. The second indent of Article 1 (3) is replaced by the 
following: 
(') OJ No L 183, 29. 6. 1989, p. 9. '— Lifting equipment designed and constructed for 
raising persons where the height of a possible 
fall is 2 metres or more.' 
No C 37/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 2. 90 
4. The following is added to the third indent of Article 
1(3): 
'unless it is a machine used for lifting loads.' 
5. The following indents are added to Article 1 (3): 
'— means of transport, i.e. vehicles and their trailers 
destined solely for the transport of persons 
and/or goods in the air or on the public 
networks by road, rail or water; by assimilation, 
chassis, hulls, etc., self-propelled or otherwise, 
equipped for one or more machine(s) such as 
defined in paragraph 1 shall be considered as 
means of transport, 
— cableways, cablecars, chair lifts, ski-lifts and 
other similar machines designed and constructed 
for the public transport of persons, 
— agricultural and forestry tractors, as defined in 
Article 1 (1) of Council Directive 
74/150/EEC ('); all tractors fitted with a 
three-point attachment for hitching implements 
shall be considered as designed and constructed 
for agricultural and forestry purposes, 
— machines specially conceived and constructed 
for the armed forces or the police. 
O OJ No L 84, 28. 3. 1974, p. 10.' 
6. In Article 2 (3), '. .. which does not conform to the 
provisions in force provided. . .' is replaced by 
'. . . which does not conform to the provisions of this 
Directive, provided . . .' 
7. The following paragraph is added to Article 8: 
'7. The obligations laid down in paragraph 6 shall 
not apply to persons who assemble on a machine or 
tractor interchangeable equipment as provided for in 
Article 1, provided that each of the constituent parts 
of the assembled machine bears the EC mark and is 
accompanied by the EC declaration of conformity.' 
8. The following subparagraph is added to Article 
13(1): 'Furthermore, Member States may allow the placing 
on the market and/or the putting into service of 
machinery in conformity with the regulations in 
force in their territory, to 31 December 1992 for a 
period extending: 
(a) to 31 December 1994 for machinery to which 
the essential health and safety requirements of 
points 1 and 2 of Annex I apply; 
(b) to 31 December 1996 for machinery to which 
the essential health and safety requirements of 
points 3 and 4 of Annex I apply in addition to 
the essential health and safety requirements of 
points 1 and 2 of Annex I.' 
9. The following point is added to point 1 of Annex I: 
'1.6.5. Cleaning of internal parts 
It must be possible to clean internal parts of 
machinery which have contained dangerous 
products without entering them; any 
necessary unblocking must also be possible 
from the outside.' 
10. The following is added to point 1.3.7 of Annex I: 
'All necessary steps must be taken to prevent 
accidental blockage of moving parts involved in the 
work. If, despite the precautions taken, a blockage 
occurs, the instruction manual and possibly a sign on 
the machinery should give the requisite instructions 
for safe unblocking.' 
11. The following is added to point 1.7.0 of Annex I: 
'Where the health and safety of exposed persons 
may be endangered by a fault in the operation of 
unsupervized machinery, the machinery must be 
equipped to give a suitable warning.' 
12. The following is added to point 1.7.3 of Annex I: 
'Where a machine part must be handled with lifting 
equipment, its weight must be indicated legibly and 
indelibly. 
The interchangeable equipment provided for in 
Article 1 should bear the same information.' 
13. The text set out in Annex I to this Directive is added 
to Annex I. 
17.2.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 37/7 
14. The following indents are added to Annex II (B), 
between the second and third indents: 
'— where appropriate, name and address of the 
notified body and the number of the EC-type 
examination certificate, 
— where appropriate, the name and address of the 
notified body to which the file has been 
forwarded in accordance with the first indent of 
Article 8 (2) (c), 
— where appropriate, the name and address of the 
notified body which has carried out the verifi­
cation referred to in the second indent of Article 
8 (2) (c), 
— where appropriate, a reference to the 
harmonized standards.' 
15. The text set out in Annex II to this Directive is 
added to Annex IV. 
Article 2 
The following Directives are hereby repealed: 
— Council Directive 73/361/EEC of 19 November 
1973 on the approximation of the laws, regulations 
and administrative provisions of the Member States 
relating to the certification and marking of wire 
ropes, chains and hooks ('), 
— Commission Directive 76/434/EEC of 13 April 1976 
adapting to technical progress the Council Directive 
of 19 November 1973 on the approximation of the 
laws of the Member States relating to the certifi­
cation and marking of wire ropes, chains and 
hooks (2), 
— Council Directive 86/295/EEC of 26 May 1986 on 
the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to rollover protective structures (ROPS) for 
certain construction plants (3), 
(') OJ No L 335, 5. 12. 1973, p. 51. 
(2) OJ No L 122, 8. 5. 1976, p. 20. 
(5) OJ No L 186, 8. 7. 1986, p. 1. — Council Directive 86/296/EEC of 26 May 1986 on 
the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to falling-object protective structures for 
certain construction plants (4), 
— Council Directive 86/663/EEC of 22 December 1986 
on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States relating to self-propelled industrial trucks (5), 
— Commission Directive 89/240/EEC of 16 December 
1988 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 
86/663/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the 
Member States relating to self-propelled industrial 
trucks ('). 
Article 3 
1. Member States shall adopt and publish the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary in 
order to comply with this Directive by 1 January 1992 at 
the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission 
thereof. 
They shall apply these provisions with effect from 31 
December 1992. 
The provisions adopted pursuant to the first 
subparagraph shall make express reference to this 
Directive. 
2. Member States shall communicate the texts of the 
provisions of national law which they adopt in the field 
covered by this Directive to the Commission. 
Article 4 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
(4) OJ No L 186, 8. 7. 1986, p. 10. 
(') OJ No L 384, 31. 12. 1986, p. 12 
(') OJ No L 100, 12. 4. 1989, p. 1. 
No C 37/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 2. 90 
ANNEX 1 
Annex I to Council Directive 89/392/EEC of 14 June 1989 is completed by the following: 
'3. ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS TO OFFSET THE PARTICULAR 
HAZARDS DUE TO THE MOBILITY OF MACHINERY 
In addition to the essential health and safety requirements given in points 1 and 2, machinery 
presenting hazards due to mobility must be designed and constructed to meet the following 
requirements. 
Risks due to mobility always exist in the case of machinery which is self-propelled, towed or 
pushed or carried by other machinery or tractors, is operated in working areas and its operation 
requires either mobility while working, be it continuous or semi-continuous movement, between a 
succession of fixed working positions. 
Risks due to mobility may also exist in the case of machinery operated without being moved, but 
equipped in such a way as to enable it to be moved more easily from one place to another 
(machinery fitted with wheels, rollers, runners, etc. or placed on gantries, trolleys, etc.). 
3.1. General remarks 
3.1.1. Definition 
"Driver" means an operator responsible for the movement of machinery. The driver may be trans­
ported by the machinery; he may be on foot, accompanying the machinery; or he may be guiding 
the machinery by remote control (cables, radio, etc.). 
3.1.2. Lighting 
If the manufacturer envisages use at night or in dark places, self-propelled machinery must be 
fitted with lighting appropriate to the work to be carried out, without prejudice to any other 
regulations applicable (highway code, navigation rules, etc.). 
The requirements of the third paragraph of section 1.1.4. do not apply to machinery intended 
solely for underground work. 
3.1.3. Design of machinery to facilitate its handling 
During the handling of the machine and/or its parts, there must be no possibility of sudden 
movements or of hazards due to instability as long as the machine and/or its parts are handled in 
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 
3.2. Workstations 
3.2.1. Driving position 
The driving position must be designed with due regard to the principles of ergonomics. There may 
be two or more driving positions and, in this case, each driving position must be provided with all 
the requisite controls. Where there is more than one driving position, the machinery must be 
designed so that the use of one of them precludes the use of the others, except in emergency 
stops. Visibility from the driving position must be such that the driver can operate the mobile 
machinery and its tools in the intended conditions of use in complete safety for himself and the 
exposed persons. Where necessary, optical aids must be provided to remedy inadequate direct 
vision. 
Machinery must be so designed and constructed that, from the driving position, there can be no 
accidental contact between the wheels or tracks and the driver and operators. 
17. 2. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 37/9 
The driving position must be designed and constructed so as to avoid any health risk due to 
exhaust gases and/or lack of oxygen. 
The driving position of ride-on drivers must be so designed and constructed that a driver's cab 
may be fitted as long as there is room. The driving position must always be fitted with a cab 
where the prescribed conditions of use so require, particularly where a hazard exists due to gas, 
liquids, dust, vapour or aerosols. 
Where the machinery is fitted with a cab, this must be designed, constructed and/or equipped to 
ensure that the driver enjoys good operating conditions and is protected against any hazards that 
might exist (e.g. heating, ventilation, visibility, noise reduction, protection against falling objects, 
incoming of objects or rollover, etc.). The exits must allow rapid evacuation. Moreover, an 
emergency exit must be provided in a direction which is different from the usual exit. 
The materials used for the cab and its fittings must be fire-resistant. 
3.2.2. Seating 
The driving seat of any machinery must keep the driver in a stable position and be designated with 
due regard to the principles of ergonomics. 
The seat must be designed to reduce vibrations transmitted to the driver to the lowest level that 
can be reasonably achieved. 
Where machinery is fitted with a rollover protection structure, the seat must be equipped with a 
safety belt or equivalent device which keeps the driver in his seat without restricting any 
movements necessary for driving or any movements caused by the suspension. The seat mountings 
must withstand all stresses to which they can be subjected, notably in the event of rollover. Where 
there is no floor beneath the seat, the driver must have footrests covered with a non-slip material. 
3.2.3. Other places 
If operators other than the driver are occasionally or regularly transported by the machinery, or 
work on it, appropriate places, preferably equipped with seats, must be provided to transport them 
or to allow them to work without risk, particularly the risk of falling. 
3.3. Controls 
3.3.1. Control devices 
The driver must be able to operate all control devices required to operate the machinery from the 
driving position, except for functions which can be safely activated only by using control devices 
located away from the driving position. This refers in particular to working positions other than 
the driving position, for which operators other than the driver are responsible or for which the 
driver has to leave his driving position in order to carry out the manoeuvre in complete safety. 
Where there are pedals they must be so designed, constructed and fitted as to allow operation 
without any risk of confusion; they must have a non-slip surface and be easy to clean. 
Where their operation can lead to hazards, notably dangerous movements, the machinery's 
controls, except for those with preset positions, must return to the neutral position as soon as they 
are released by the operator. 
In the case of wheeled machinery, the steering system must be designed to reduce the force of 
sudden movements of the steering wheel or steering lever caused by shocks to the guide wheels. 
Any control that locks the differential must be so designed and arranged that it allows the 
differential to be unlocked when the machinery is moving. 
The accelerator and brake controls for the movement of mobile machinery running on rails for 
use in underground mines must be manual. The deadman's control may be foot-operated, 
however. 
The control devices of powered roof supports must be designed and laid out so that during 
displacement operations operators are sheltered by a support in place. The control devices should 
be protected against any accidental release. 
^oC^^O C^fhc^l]o^rn^lofrli^Euro^^nCornrnun^n^ ^^^0 
^elf-propelled machinery must be so equipped as to avoid unauthorized starting 
Controlled movements of self-propelled machinery withande-on driver must only be possible if 
the driver is in his driving position 
Movements of pedestrian-controlled self-propelled machinery must only be possible through 
sustained action on the relevant control by the driver 
^ithoutpre^udice totheprovisionsof roadtrafficregulations, self-propelled machinery and its 
trailers must meet the requirements for slowing down, stopping bracing and immobilization so as 
to ensure safety under all the operating, loading, speed, ground and gradient conditions regarded 
bv the manufacturer as situations usually encountered 
The driver must be able to slowdown and stop self-propelled machinery by means of a main 
device ^here safety so requires in the e^ent of failure of the main device,afully independent and 
easilv^cessible emergency device must be provided for slowing down and stopping 
^here safety so requires, a parking device must be provided to l^eep stationary machinery 
immobile This device may be combined with one of the devices referred to in the preceding 
paragraph 
demote controlled machinery must be designed and constructed to stop automatically if the driver 
loses control 
^elfpropelledmachinery running on rails for usemundergroundworl^ must be equipped witha 
deadman^scontrol acting on the circuit controlling the movement of the machinery 
Mthe case of pedestrian-controlled machinery,it must be possible to actuate the reversing control 
only if no nsl^ is involved 
Mthe case of pedestrian-controlled self-propelled machinery witharear-mounted rotary tool,it 
must be possible to engage the reversing control only after disengaging the tools if,however,the 
machmeis propelled by the tool,the revering speed must be such that it does not endanger the 
driver 
f^ailureof power-assistedsteenng, wherefitted, must notprevent machinery frombeingsteered 
during the time required to parl^ it inasafe place 
^^ ^rotecnoo^^st^ec^^c^t^^rds 
lowered roof supports must be so designed and constructed as to mamtainagiven direction when 
moving and not to slip before and while they come under load and after the load has been 
removed They must bee^uippedwith anchorages for the topplatesoftheindividualhydraulic 
props 
^hen a part of a machine has been stopped, any drift away from the stopping position, for 
whatever reason other than action at the controls,must be such that it is notahazard to exposed 
persons 
Machinery must be so designed and constructed as to ensure that the amplitude of movement of 
its centre of gravity does not affect its stability or does not exert excessive strain on its structure 
17. 2. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 37/11 
3.4.3. Risk of break-up during operation 
Parts of machinery rotating at high speed which, despite the measures taken, may break up or 
disintegrate, must be mounted and guarded in such a way that breakage of their fragments will be 
contained or, failing this, cannot be projected towards the driving and/or operating positions. 
3.4.4. Rollover 
Where, in the case of self-propelled machinery with a ride-on driver and possibly ride-on 
operators, there is a risk of rolling over, the machinery must be designed for and be fitted with 
anchorage points allowing it to be equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). 
This structure must be such that in case of rolling over it guarantees the ride-on driver and 
possibly the ride-on operators an adequate deflection-limiting volume (DLV). 
Anchoring points on which a rollover protection structure is to be mounted must be present on 
the following machines, for which this risk is always there: 
— hydraulic excavators on tracks or wheels, 
— loaders on tracks, 
— dumpers, 
— all machines capable of manoeuvring on slopes greater than or equal to 30°. 
3.4.5. Falling objects 
Where, in the case of self-propelled machinery with ride-on operators, there is a risk due to 
falling objects, the machinery should be designed for, and fitted with, if its size allows, anchorage 
points allowing it to be equipped with a falling-object protective structure (FOPS). 
This structure must be such that in the case of falling objects or material, it guarantees the ride-on 
operators an adequate deflection-limitation volume (DLV). 
3.4.6. Falls from means of access 
Particular attention must be paid to the principles of ergonomics when designing the means of 
access to driving positions and other workstations. 
If handholds have to be provided, it must not be possible for controls to be used as supports or 
handholds. 
Powered roof supports must allow for unhindered movement of exposed persons. 
3.4.7. Towing devices 
All machinery used to tow or to be towed must be fitted with towing or coupling devices 
designed, constructed and arranged to ensure easy and safe connection. In particular, machinery 
fitted with a towbar must be equipped with a device to prevent the towbar from disconnecting and 
to support it or, where appropriate, with a device allowing automatic recovery of the towbar by 
the towing vehicle. 
Where the manufacturer has provided for the machinery to be used on soft ground, the towbar 
support must have a bearing surface designed, on the basis of the mass applied, to rest on such 
ground. 
3.4.8. Transmission of power between self-propelled (or tractors) and recipient machinery 
Transmission shafts with universal joints linking self-propelled machinery (or tractors) to the first 
fixed bearing of recipient machinery must be guarded on the self-propelled machinery side and 
the recipient machinery side over the whole length of the shaft and associated universal joints. 
No C 37/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 2. 90 
On the side of the self-propelled machinery or tractor, the power take-off to which the trans­
mission shaft is attached must be guarded either by a screen fixed to the self-propelled machinery 
(or tractor) or by any other device offering equivalent protection. On the towed machinery side, 
the input shaft must be enclosed in a protective casing fixed to the machinery. 
Except in special cases (such as very short shafts) torque limitators or flywheels may be fitted to 
universal joint transmissions only on the side adjoining the driven machine. 
All towed machinery whose operation requires a transmission shaft to connect it to self-propelled 
machinery or a tractor must have a system for attaching the transmission shaft so that when the 
machinery is uncoupled the transmission shaft and its guard are not damaged by contact with the 
ground or part of the machinery. 
The outside parts of the guard must be so designed, constructed and arranged that they cannot 
turn with the transmission shaft. The guard must cover the transmission shaft to the ends of the 
inner jaws in the case of simple universal joints and at least to the centre of the outer joint or 
joints in the case of 'wide angle' universal joints. 
Manufacturers providing means of access to working positions near to the universal joint trans­
mission shaft, must ensure that shaft guards as described in the preceding paragraph cannot be 
used as steps. 
3.4.9. Moving transmission parts 
In the case of heat engines, removable guards preventing access to the engine compartment need 
not have locking devices if they have to be opened either by the use of a tool or key or by a 
control located in the driving position if the latter is in a fully enclosed cab with a lock to prevent 
unauthorized access. 
3.5. Protection against other hazards 
3.5.1. Electricity supply 
The battery housing must be so constructed and located as to avoid as far as possible the chance 
of electrolyte being ejected on to the operator in the event of rollover and/or to avoid the accu­
mulation of vapours in places occupied by operators. 
Machinery must be designed and constructed so that the battery can be disconnected. 
3.5.2. Fire 
Depending on the hazards anticipated by manufacturer when in use, machinery must be fitted, 
where its size permits, with: 
— either mountings allowing easily accessible fire extinguishers to be fitted, 
— or built-in extinguisher systems. Such systems are compulsory for machinery which is highly 
flammable and meant for use in underground working. 
The braking system of machinery meant for use in underground working must be designed and 
constructed so as not to produce sparks or cause fires. 
Machinery with heat engines for use in underground working must be fitted only with internal 
combustion engines using fuel with a low vaporizing pressure. 
3.5.3. Emissions of dust, gases, etc. 
Where such hazards exist, the containment equipment provided for in Section 1.5.13 may be 
replaced by other means, for example, precipitation by water spraying. If the products are 
dangerous, they may not be discharged untreated. 
Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines of machinery intended for use in underground 
workings must not be discharged upwards. 
IB^O C^f^c^l]ourn^of rr^^Euror^^nC^ornrnun^n^ ^oC^^B^ 
^D t^d^^DOS 
machinery must have meansof signalling andBor instructionplatesconcerning use, adjustment 
and maintenance,wherever necessary,to ensure thehealth and safetyof exposed persons They 
must be chosen designed and constructed in suchaway as to be clearly visible and indelible 
Without prejudice to the requirements to be observed for travelling on the public highway, 
machiner^withande^on driver must have the following equipment 
— an acoustic warning device to alert exposed andBor third persons, 
— a svstem of light signals relevant to the intended conditions of use such as stop lamps, 
reversing lamps and rotating beacons The latter requirement does not apply to machmerv 
intendedsolehD for underground wording and having no electrical power 
demote controlled machinery which under normal conditions of use exposespersons to impact 
hazardsmust befitted with appropriate means to signal its movements or with means to protect 
exposed persons against such hazards The same applies to machinery which involves, when in 
use, the constant repetition ofaforward and backward movement onasmgle axis where the bacl^ 
of the machine is not directly visible to the driver 
machinery must be so constructed that the^arning and signallmgdevices cannot allbe disabled 
intentionally Where this is essentialfor safety, such devices mustbe provided with facilities to 
chect^th^tthe^ are in good wording order,failmg which it must be apparent to the operator 
Where the movement of machinery or its tools is hazardous, signs on the machinery mustbe 
provided to warn against approaching the machinery while it is wording, the signs must be legible 
atasufficient distance to ensure the safety of persons who have to be in the vicinity 
The minimum requirements set out intB^^should be supplemented by the following 
— power expressed in^W, 
— mass in l^g, of the most usual configuration and, where appropriate, 
— maximum permissible tensile stress at the coupling hoo^m^, 
— maximum permissible vertical load on the coupling hool^,m^ 
The minimum requirements set out in sectiont^^ must be supplemented as follows 
— the weighted root mean square accelerationtowhich the arms are subjected, if it exceeds^ 
mBs^as determined by the appropriate test code,where the acceleration does not exceeds 
mBs^ this must be mentioned, 
— the weighted root mean square acceleration value to which the body (^feet or posteriory is 
^ub^ected, if it exceeds 0,^ ^B^ ^ determined by the appropriate test code, where the 
acceleration does not exceed 0,^Bs^, this must be mentioned 
The vibration must be measured using the most appropriate system of measurement for the 
machineryconcerned The manufacturer must indicate the operating conditions of the machinery 
during measurement and which methods were used for taking the measurements 
In thecaseofmachineryallowmg several uses dependmgonthe equipment used, manufacturers 
of basic machinery to which interchangeable equipment may be attached and manufacturers of the 
interchangeable equipment must provide the necessary informationto enable the equipment to be 
fitted and used safelv 
No C 37/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 2. 90 
4. ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS TO OFFSET THE PARTICULAR 
HAZARDS DUE TO A LIFTING OPERATION 
In addition to the essential health and safety requirements given in points 1, 2 and 3, machinery 
presenting hazards due to lifting operations — mainly hazards of loadfalls and collisions or 
hazards of tipping caused by a lifting operation — must be designed and constructed to meet the 
following requirements. 
Risks due to a lifting operation always exist in the case of machinery designed to move a unit load 
involving a change in level during the movement. The load may consist of objects, materials or 
goods. 
4.1. General remarks 
4.1.1. Definitions 
(a) In this point 4, a distinction is made between machinery performing the effort (called 
commonly lifting appliances) and lifting accessories, which are the components or equipment 
placed between the lifting appliance and the load or on the load in order to attach it. 
(b) "guided load" 
Load where the total movement is made along rigid or flexible guides, whose position is 
determined by fixed points. 
(c) "working coefficient" 
Arithmetic ratio between the load guaranteed by the manufacturer beyond which an accessory 
is incapable of holding it and the maximum working load marked on that accessory. 
(d) "overload test" 
Test during which the lifting appliance or the lifting accessory is subjected to a force corre­
sponding to the maximum working load multiplied by a coefficient laid down in point 4.1.2.3 
and then inspected once the said load has been released. 
4.1.2. Protection against mechanical hazards 
4.1.2.1. Lack of stability 
Lifting appliances must be so designed and constructed that the stability required in point 1.3.1, is 
also maintained during overload tests when carried out in accordance with the instruction 
handbook. 
4.1.2.2. Guide rails and rail tracks 
Devices to be provided on the guide rails or rail tracks must prevent derailment or, if this is not 
possible, prevent equipment, components or load from falling or overturning following the failure 
of a guided or running component following derailment. 
4.1.2.3. Strength 
Lifting appliances and their removable components and accessories must be capable of with­
standing the stresses to which they are subjected, both in and, where applicable, out of use, under 
the installation and operating conditions provided for by the manufacturer, and in all possible 
configurations during transport, assembly and dismantling, with due regard, where appropriate, to 
the effects of atmospheric factors and forces exerted by persons. 
The constituent parts of the lifting appliances must be sized with due regard to fatigue processes 
in accordance with the specified life in the operating conditions specified for a given application. 
The materials used must be chosen on the basis of the working environments provided for by the 
manufacturer, with special reference to corrosion, abrasion, cold brittleness and ageing. 
The lifting appliances and accessories not intended for the transport of persons must be designed 
and constructed to withstand the overload in the static tests without permanent deformation or 
visible damage. The calculation must take account of the values given in the harmonized 
standards, or in their absence, the following values: 
(a) manually operated lifting accessories and lifting appliances: 
the test load must be 1,5 times the maximum working load; 
17. 2. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 37/15 
(b) other lifting appliances: 
the test load must be 1,25 times the maximum working load. 
4.1.2.4. Pulleys, drums, chains or cables 
Pulleys, drums and wheels must have a diameter commensurate with the size of cables or chains 
with which they can be fitted. 
Drums and wheels must be so designed, constructed and installed that the cables or chains with 
which they are equipped can wind round without falling off. 
Cables, used directly for lifting or supporting the load shall not include any splicing other than at 
their ends (splicings are to treated in installations which are intended from their design to be 
modified regularly in function of needs for use). Complete cables and their endings shall have a 
safety coefficient fixed by harmonized standards or failing that one of at least 5. 
Lifting chains shall have a safety coefficient fixed by harmonized standards, or failing that, one of 
at least 4. 
4.1.2.5. Separate lifting accessories 
Separate lifting accessories are accessories which are not attached to an item of lifting appliances 
and help to make up or use a slinging device, such as eyehooks, shackles, rings, eyebolts, lifting 
beams, etc. Metallic lifting accessories must be sized with due regard to fatigue and aging 
processes for a number of operating cycles, consistent with their expected life-span. 
Moreover: 
(a) the group cable and its end must have a safety coefficient consistent with the harmonized 
standards or, falling that, one of at least 5. Cables must not comprise any splices or loops 
other than at their ends; 
(b) the lifting chains must be with welded short links and have a safety coefficient consistent with 
the harmonized standards, or failing that of at least 4; 
(c) the cables or textile slings must be chosen with safety coefficients dependent on the material, 
the method of manufacture, the dimensions and the use. This coefficient, fixed by harmonized 
standards, must never be lower than 7. 
They must not include any knots or splicing other than at their ends. 
Cables and textile slings made up entirely of cotton and polyethylene are not authorized for 
these purposes; 
(d) all metallic components making up, or used with, a sling must have a safety coefficient fixed 
by harmonized standards, or failing that, one of at least 4. 
(e) the safety coefficient of a multi-strand sling must be the product of the following three 
parameters: 
— the safety coefficient of the weakest strand, 
— the number of strands, 
— a reduction factor which depends on the slinging method. 
4.1.2.6. Control of movements 
Devices for controlling movements must act in such a way that the lifting appliance on which they 
are installed is kept safe: 
(a) lifting appliances must be so designed or fitted with devices that the amplitude of movement 
of its components is kept within the specified limits; 
(b) where several installed appliances can be manoeuvred simultaneously in the same space, with 
risks of interference, the lifting appliance must be designed and constructed in such a way as 
to make for fitting with systems enabling these risks to be avoided; 
(c) the mechanisms of lifting appliances must be so designed and constructed that the loads 
cannot drift dangerously or fall freely and unexpectedly, even in the event of partial or total 
failure of the power supply or when the operator stops; 
(d) it must not be possible, under normal operating conditions, to lower the load solely by friction 
brake; 
No C 37/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 17. 2. 90 
(e) gripping devices intended for use above unprotected working places or passages must be so 
designed and constructed that inadvertent unhooking of the loads is avoided. 
4.1.2.7. Hazards due to the loads handled 
The operating station of lifting appliances must be positioned in such a way that the view of 
trajectories of the moving parts is maximized, with an eye to possible collisions with persons or 
equipment liable to constitute a hazard. 
Machines with guided loads fixed in one place must be fitted with devices preventing exposed 
persons from knocking into the load or the counterweights. 
4.2. Special requirements for lifting appliances whose power source is other than manual effort 
4.2.1. Controls 
4.2.1.1. Operating station 
The requirements of point 3.2.1 must also apply to non-mobile lifting appliances. 
4.2.1.2. Seating 
The requirements of point 3.2.2 must also apply to non-mobile lifting appliances. 
4.2.1.3. Control devices 
The devices controlling movements of the appliance or its equipment must return to their neutral 
position as soon as they are released by the operator. 
However, for partial or complete movements, in which there is no risk of the load colliding, the 
above devices may be replaced by controls authorizing automatic stops at preselected levels 
without holding a hold-to-run control device. 
4.2.1.4. Loading control 
Lifting appliances and lifting appliances with a maximum working load of not less than 500 kg 
and an overturning moment of not less than 2 000 mkg must be fitted with devices enabling the 
prevention of risks of: 
— overloading the lifting appliances: 
— either as a result of loads being exceeded, 
— or as a result of the moments due to the loads being exceeded, 
— overturning as a result of the stability moments due to the lifted load being exceeded. 
4.2.2. Installation guided by cables 
Cable carriers, tractors or tractor carriers must be held by counterweights or by a device allowing 
permanent control of the tension. 
4.2.3. Risk of fall for operators. Means of access to operating station and intervention points 
Machinery with guided loads must be equipped with devices to prevent any risk of exposed 
persons falling. 
4.2.4. Hazards due to lightning 
Lifting appliances in need of protection against the effects of lightning must be fitted with a 
system for conducting the resultant electrical charges to earth. 
4.3. Marking 
4.3.1. Chains and cables 
Each length of lifting chain or metallic lifting cable must bear a mark or, where this is not 
possible, a plaque or immovable ring bearing the name and address of the manufacturer or his 
authorized representative established in the Community and the number of the relevant certificate. 
17. 2.90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 37/17 
The certificate should show the information required by the harmonized standards or, failing that 
equivalent information. 
4.3.2. Lifting accessories 
All lifting accessories must show the following particulars: 
— identification of the manufacturer, 
— identification of the material (e.g. international class) where this information is needed for 
dimensional compatibility, 
— identification of the maximum working load, 
— EC mark. 
In the case of accessories including components such as cables or ropes, on which marking is 
physically impossible, the foregoing particulars must be displayed on a plate which is securely 
affixed to the accessory. 
The particulars must be legible and located in a place where they are not liable to disappear as a 
result of machining, wear, etc., or jeopardize the strength of the accessory. 
4.3.3. Machines 
In addition to the minimum information set out at 1.7.3, each machine must bear, legibly and 
indelibly, information concerning the load: 
(i) displayed in uncoded form and prominently on the equipment in the case of equipment which 
has only one possible value; 
(ii) where the rated load depends on the way the equipment is set up, each operating station must 
be provided with a load plate indicating, preferably in diagrammatic form or by means of 
tables, the maximum working loads for each layout. 
Machinery equipped with a load support which allows access to persons and involves a risk of 
falling more than 2 metres must bear a clear and indelible warning prohibiting the lifting of 
persons. This warning must be visible at each place where access is possible. 
4.4. Instruction handbook 
4.4.1 Lifting appliances 
Each lifting accessory shall be accompanied by an instruction handbook setting out at least the 
following particulars: 
— normal conditions of use, 
— instructions for use, assembly and maintenance, 
— the limit of use, (particularly for the accessories which cannot comply with the point 
4.1.2.6 (e). 
4.4.2. Lifting equipment 
(a) The manufacturer must draw particular attention to the following in the instruction 
handbook: 
— the technical characteristics of the equipment, and in particular: 
— where appropriate, a copy of the load table described in point 4.3.2 (ii), 
— the reactions at the supports or anchors, 
— where appropriate, the definition and the means of installation of the ballast, 
— the contents of the logbook, if the latter is not supplied with the equipment, 
— advice for use, particularly to offset the lack of direct sight of the load by the operator.' 
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^.nne^lV is completedby the following points 
a^ agricultural machinery of the following types 
— motorized hoes^ 
— motorized cultivators 
l^t Machmervfor underground working of the following types 
— machinery on rails locomotives and brake-vans, 
— hydraulic-powered roof supports 
15 Manually-loaded trucks for the collection of household refuse incorporating a compression 
mechanism 
16 Shafts with universal joints for the transmission of power between driving machinery and recipient 
machinery and as guards 
IB Vehicle lifts 
1^ Machinery components 
— internal combustion engines intended for machinery for underground workings 
— cables and end accessories of cables employed directly in lifting and supporting loads^