BS EN 13586:2020

BSI Standards Publication

Cranes — Access
 BS EN 13586:2020

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 13586

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2020

ICS 53.020.20 Supersedes EN 13586:2004+A1:2008

English Version

Cranes - Access
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Accès Krane - Zugang

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 November 2020.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13586:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 13586:2020
EN 13586:2020 (E)

Contents Page

European foreword....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 5
3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 6
4 List of significant hazards ............................................................................................................................ 6
5 Safety requirements and protective measures .................................................................................... 7
5.1 Selection of means of access ........................................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Classification of access .................................................................................................................................. 8
5.3 General design principles ............................................................................................................................ 9
5.4 Stairs and step ladders ............................................................................................................................... 10
5.5 Spiral stairs .................................................................................................................................................... 11
5.6 Rung ladders - footholds ............................................................................................................................ 12
5.7 Hoop guards ................................................................................................................................................... 15
5.8 Walkways, inclined walkways, platforms ........................................................................................... 17
5.9 Minimum clear passage of access routes ............................................................................................. 18
5.10 Handrails and side protection ................................................................................................................. 19
5.11 Handholds ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
5.12 Hatches and manholes................................................................................................................................ 22
5.13 Strength, means of access and their supporting structures ......................................................... 23
6 Verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures...................................... 23
7 Information for use ..................................................................................................................................... 24
Annex A (informative) Selection of a suitable set of crane standards for a given application ........ 25
Annex B (informative) Examples of surfaces considered to be slip-resistant....................................... 27
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC aimed to be covered ..................................................... 29
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 30

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European foreword

This document (EN 13586:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 147 “Cranes
safety”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2021, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by June 2021.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 13586:2004+A1:2008.

The main technical changes in this edition compared to EN 13586:2004+A1:2008 are in 5.5, 5.10, 5.11,
5.13, Clause 6 and Clause 7. Clause 4 and Annex ZA have been updated to conform with the valid
drafting rules. Additionally, the arrangements of figures and tables have been improved for reasons of
clarity and technical and editorial accuracy.

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association and supports essential requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC.

For relationship with EU Directive, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.

For the relationship with other European Standards for cranes, see Annex A.

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Introduction

This document has been prepared to be a harmonized standard to provide one means for crane access
to conform with the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Directive, as mentioned
in Annex ZA.
This document is a type C standard as stated in EN ISO 12100:2010.
This document 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 enterprises);

— service providers, e.g. for maintenance (small, medium and large enterprises);

— machine users/employers (small, medium and large enterprises);

— health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance, etc.).

The above-mentioned stakeholder groups have been given the possibility to participate at the drafting
process of this document.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and hazardous events
are covered, are indicated in the scope of this document.
When provisions of this type C standard are different from those which are stated in a type B standard,
the provisions of this type C standard take precedence over the provisions of the other standards, for
machines that have been designed and built according to the provisions of this type C standard.

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1 Scope
This document specifies design requirements for non-powered access installed on cranes.
NOTE 1 For other type of access, a requirement for information to be supplied is specified.

Slidable, retractable means of access are excluded from the scope, except movable hoop guards.
This document covers means of access to control stations and all access required for maintenance,
certain erection and dismantling operations.
For those cranes which are intended to be erected and dismantled frequently to change their places of
work, specific requirements for the access needed during these operations are not covered by this
document and should be given in the appropriate European Standards for specific crane types.
Lighting of means of access is not covered by this document and should be given in the appropriate
European Standards for specific crane types.
NOTE 2 Specific requirements for access on particular types of cranes are given in the appropriate European
Standard for the particular crane type.

The requirements given in this document do not take into account the safety distances related to:
— guarding against hazard from moving parts;

— relative movement between crane and adjacent structure or the ground/floor;

— hazardous surface temperature;

— electrical equipment.

The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Clause 4.

This document is not applicable to cranes which are manufactured before the date of publication
by CEN of this document.

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12644-1:2001+A1:2008, Cranes - Information for use and testing - Part 1: Instructions

EN 13001-3-1:2012+A2:2018, Cranes - General Design - Part 3-1: Limit States and proof competence of
steel structure

EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery - General principles for design - Risk assessment and risk
reduction (ISO 12100:2010)

EN ISO 13854:2019, Safety of machinery - Minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body
(ISO 13854:2017)

EN ISO 14122-4:2016, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 4: Fixed
ladders (ISO 14122-4:2016)

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3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 12100:2010 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

3.1
rest platform
standing area for persons to rest, situated at intervals between flights of ladders or stairs

3.2
platform
standing area for persons to work from, e.g. for maintenance or inspection

3.3
handrail
device, which provides continuous hand support between two locations

3.4
handhold
means of providing support by a single hand placement

3.5
foothold
means of providing support for one or two feet for vertical access

3.6
manhole
access opening to allow the passage of persons, and which could have a cover fitted

3.7
hatch
access opening to allow the passage of persons, provided with a cover openable without use of tools

4 List of significant hazards

Table 1 of this clause contains all the significant hazards as listed in CEN Guide 414, hazardous
situations and events, as far as they are dealt with in this document, identified by risk assessment as
significant for this type of machinery and which require action to eliminate or reduce the risk.

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Table 1 — List of significant hazards and associated requirements

No. Hazard Relevant clause(s) in this

document
1 Mechanical hazards
1.1 Inadequacy of mechanical strength of the crane and its 5.7.2, 5.13
parts
1.2 Crushing hazard 5.10, 5.12
1.3 Shearing hazard 5.10
1.5 Cutting or severing hazard 5.10, 5.12
1.6 Entanglement hazard 5.9
1.7 Drawing-in or trapping hazard 5.6.1, 5.10, 5.12
1.8 Slipping, tripping and falling 5.3, 5.4, 5.6.1, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9,
5.10, 5.11
1.9 Falling or ejected objects or fluids 5.1, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.10
8 Ergonomic hazards
8.1 Unhealthy postures or excessive efforts 5.1, 5.2
8.2 Inadequate consideration of hand-arm or foot-leg 5.3 to 5.12
anatomy
8.3 Use of personal protection equipment 5.1, 5.4, 5.6.1, 7

5 Safety requirements and protective measures

5.1 Selection of means of access

Means of access shall conform to the safety requirements and protective measures of this clause. In
addition, the equipment shall be designed in accordance with the principles of EN ISO 12100:2010 for
hazards relevant but not significant which are not dealt with by this document.
The following factors shall be taken into account, when determining means of access for cranes:
— frequency of use;

— equipment and tools to be carried;

— vertical distance to cover;

— nature of use, e.g. regular operator access, maintenance, inspection.

Provision of access, when moving from one level to another, should be in the preferential order: stair,
step ladder and rung ladder. Furthermore, permanent protective equipment (e.g. hoop guard, side
protection) shall be preferred to personal protection equipment. Where personal protection equipment
is required, continuous system avoiding the necessity to connect and disconnect shall be preferred.
The type of the means of the access depending on its steepness shall be selected in accordance with the
Figure 1.

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Key
1 rung ladder 5 inclined walkway
2 step ladder 6 walkway
3 range to be avoided 7 not permitted zone
4 stair D access direction when going upwards

Figure 1 — Ranges of angles for different means of access in their working position

For structural requirements of means of access, the term “ladder” is used to refer both to rung ladders
and step ladders.
Where the vertical height between point of access and operator’s control station is more than 30 m, the
crane shall be designed with provisions to receive a powered access. Where a powered access system is
provided, an additional access way of Type 1 shall also be provided.
Other means of access than those in the scope of this standard may be utilized, e.g. for inspection
locations with an inspection interval longer than one year, for emergency exit or for access for erection
and dismantling. Access in such cases may be designed to rely on use of personal fall protection
equipment against falls from a height (see EN 363:2018 and EN 795:2012) or use of mobile elevating
work platforms.
5.2 Classification of access

Type 1 access shall be provided in the following cases, as relevant:

— the main access way of the crane operator to the control station and to starting equipment;

— the access way to maintenance locations, with a maintenance or inspection period shorter than one
month.

Type 2 access may be provided, instead of Type 1 access, in the following cases, as relevant:
— the access way to maintenance locations, with a maintenance or inspection period one month or
longer;

— emergency exit;

— access for erection and dismantling.

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5.3 General design principles

5.3.1 When ascending or descending provisions shall be made to provide simultaneous three-point
support; two hand holds and one foot hold or two feet holds and one hand hold.

5.3.2 Where a lateral body move is necessary from a rung of a ladder to another support surface, the
distance between the step or rung and the nearest edge of the support surface shall be within a
spherical radius of 300 mm or shorter, see Figure 2.

Key
R spherical radius
S support surface

Figure 2 — Distance between a step or rung and the nearest edge of any support surface

5.3.3 Means of access, walking and standing areas shall:

— have their working position(s) designated; (for example platform on articulated boom needs
defined position of the boom for the access);
— take into account the number of the persons, and the presence of objects such as tools and spare
parts;
— be constructed of materials specified as being incombustible and with slip resistant surfaces, which
do not retain liquid. See Annex B.
The steps between adjacent, fixed (non-moveable) floor sections shall not exceed 8 mm in height. This
requirement does not apply in cases, where access is directly on a structural surface and the step is due
to welded joint of the structure.
Every control station shall have at least one exit onto a fixed means of access. An alternative means of
egress shall be provided, where a fixed means of access cannot be reached from all working positions of
the control station or of the crane.
5.3.4 Where apertures are used in the floor of a walkway, inclined walkway, landing or platform
situated above an area, where persons are expected, slots and interstices shall fulfil the following
requirements:
— a ball with a diameter 20 mm or greater cannot pass through;
— a slot has a maximum width of 12 mm, where the length is 200 mm or greater.

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5.3.5 Hand supports shall be designed and constructed so as not to have exposed sharp edges and
corners or other hazardous projections. Edges shall have radii (minimum 2 mm) or be chamfered
(minimum 2 × 2 mm).

Obstacles to retain the hands or feet, shall be provided at the ends of handholds and footholds.
5.3.6 Where access is foreseen with portable ladders, permanent means shall be provided to prevent
the top of the ladder from sliding or slipping.
Portable ladders shall meet the requirements of this document for ladders.
5.4 Stairs and step ladders

Type 1 stairs shall be provided with a handrail and an intermediate guard-rail on both sides. Where the
distance between a stair and a continuous surface is less than 200 mm, it is permissible to omit
intermediate guard-rails. For details of handrails and side protections, see 5.10.
The climbing height of a single flight shall not exceed 6 m for Type 1 step ladders.
Where Type 2 stairs are not fitted with a handrail, provision (e.g. an inclined lifeline in accordance with
EN 795:2012) shall be made for the use of personal fall protection equipment against falls from a height.
For personal fall protection equipment, see EN 363:2018.
Step ladders shall be provided with handrails or handholds on both sides.
Steps shall be regularly spaced within a single section of stairs or step ladders. The distance from the
floor to the first step should be the same as the rise of the stair or ladder; but may vary to accommodate
movement between the floor and the step or for the fitting of standardized components.
Stairs and step ladders shall have the dimensions in accordance with Figure 3, Table 2 and Table 3.

Figure 3 — Dimensional parameters for stairs and step ladders

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Table 2 — Dimensions for stairs

Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 3 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Clear width of the step b 450 - 320 -
Rise h 180 250 180 250
Going g 150 270 150 270
Tread depth
Tread depth (p) shall not be less p 200 - 200 -
than the going (g).
Height between the floor and the
- 600 - 700
first step
The following formula should be applied for stairs: 600 mm ≤ 2 × rise + going ≤ 660 mm.

Table 3 — Dimensions for step ladders

Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 3 Type 1 access Type 2 access

min. max. min. max.

Clear width of the step b 450 - 320 -
Rise h 230 300 230 300
Going g 80 - 80 -
Tread depth p 80 - 80 -
Height between the floor and
- 600 - 700
the first step

5.5 Spiral stairs

The general requirements for stairs regarding e.g. steps, handrails and rest platforms apply also for
spiral stairs, where relevant and where not in conflict with the requirements given in this clause.
Spiral stairs as specified here are applicable in Type 1 and Type 2 access ways.
Spiral stairs shall fulfil the following special requirements:
— spiral stairs shall be fitted with side protection;

— the clear width of the access way (R2) shall be 660 mm or wider;

— the clear head room of the access way shall be 2 000 mm or higher;

— the rise height of steps (h) shall be not more than 240 mm;

— the tread depth (p) shall be 190 mm or more, measured at 300 mm (R1) from the narrower edge;

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— the going of a step (g) shall be 140 mm or more but not greater than the tread depth (p), measured
at 300 mm (R1) from the narrower edge;

— the size of steps shall be the same through a single spiral stair section, between the lower and upper
walkway or platform.

For illustration of the used symbols, see Figure 4.

Figure 4 — Dimensional parameters for spiral stairs

5.6 Rung ladders - footholds

5.6.1 Rung ladders

The following requirements apply to rung ladders and individual rungs fixed to the crane structure.
Rungs shall be regularly spaced within a single section of ladders, except for the first rung which may
vary to accommodate for movement between the floor and the rung or for the fitting of standardized
component.
Handholds (see 5.11) shall be provided to facilitate access to or from the ladder.
Where a vertical ladder provides an access upwards to a walkway, platform or rest platform, handholds
need not be provided, if one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
a) two handrails (see 5.10) are provided, with opening (u) for the access in accordance with 5.11;

b) the ladder uprights are extended to at least 1 m height from the floor of the walkway, platform or
rest platform;

c) one handrail and one ladder upright are provided to at least 1 m height from the floor of the
walkway, platform or rest platform.

Type 1 ladders, which present a risk of falling greater than 3 m and type 2 ladders, which present a risk
of falling greater than 5 m, shall be equipped with a hoop guard. For Type 2 ladders, the hoop guard
may be replaced by facilities for use with personal fall protection equipment against falls from a height
as defined in EN 363.
Type 1 and Type 2 ladders shall have rest platforms at least every 6 m.

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Flights of ladders shall be positioned, or other means provided, to prevent persons falling more than
6 m.
The cross-section of a rung shall be circular or have rounded corners.
Rungs and rung ladder dimensions shall be in accordance with Figures 5 and 6 and Table 4. Minimum
free space around a ladder shall be as illustrated in Figure 6, with the values for the dimensions d, e and
w taken only the minimum ones from Table 4. The maximum values for e and w are for hoop guards
only.
Where provided, the anti-climb devices at ladders shall comply with Annex A of EN ISO 14122-4:2016.

Figure 5 — Dimensional parameters for rung ladders

Figure 6 — Free space around a ladder and hoop guard dimensions

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Table 4 — Dimensions for rungs and rung ladders

Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figures 5 and 6 Type 1 access Type 2 access

min. max. min. max.

Rung pitch i 230 300 230 300

Height between the floor and the first - 600 - 700
rung
Rung size a k 16 50 16 50
Obstacle height at rung end s 20 - 20 -
Clear width m 300 b - 300 b -
Gap between stiles if they are g ≤ 10 or g ≤ 10 or
discontinuous g
50 ≤ g ≤ 200 50 ≤ g ≤ 200
Clear depth for foot d 150 - 150 c -
Clear width at the back side w 600 800 500 800
Clear depth at the back side e 600 800 600 800
aDiameter for circular cross-section or diameter of inscribed circle for regular shape section with more than three
corners or width of upper flat surface for other profiles.
b For placing only one foot, see Figure 5.
c Distance may be reduced to 125 mm at discontinuous obstacles.

5.6.2 Footholds

Depending on the shape of the footholds, their dimensions are similar to the rungs of the ladders or as
given for special footholds in Table 5 and in Figure 7. Handholds (see 5.11) shall be provided to
facilitate access to and from the foothold.
Footholds shall be regularly spaced. The distance between the floor and the first foothold shall be the
same as the rise, with the exception of the first foothold which may vary to accommodate for movement
between the floor and the rung or for the fitting of standardized component.

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Key
1 handhold

Figure 7 — Dimensions for special footholds

Table 5— Dimensions for special footholds

Dimensions in millimetres
Dimensions in mm
Symbols in accordance with Figure 7 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Clear width m 300 a - 300 a -
Clear depth d 150 - 150 b -
Clear height at the back h1 100 - 100 -
Clear opening in the front h2 150 - 150 -
Clearance between handholds u 450 - 450 -
Distance between handhold and the
z 0 200 0 200
front of the foothold
a For placing only one foot, see Figure 5.
b Distance may be reduced to 125 mm at discontinuous obstacles.

5.7 Hoop guards

5.7.1 General

Side and back protection is required for ladders and step ladders, where there is a risk of falling, see
5.6.1. The protection can be achieved by a hoop-guard built specifically for this purpose, or by
continuous structural surfaces providing an equivalent protection. Side and back protection and equally

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the free space around a ladder shall meet the requirements given for the dimensions d, w and e in
Table 4 and illustrated in Figure 6.
Hoop-guard structure shall meet the dimensional requirements in accordance with Table 6. The hoops
shall be connected by three or five longitudinal bars spaced equally around the hoop. The distance
between two vertical bars on the hoop guard shall be less than 400 mm. In all cases, one bar shall be
located in a position diametrically opposite to the centre line of the ladder. The hoops should be placed
at right angles to the vertical bars on the hoop guard. The uprights should be fixed to the inside of the
hoop and be equally spaced.
Where, at a junction of the down end of a ladder and a platform/walkway, the platform width c1 is 1 m
or less or the sideways distance c2 is 0,7 m or less, the gap between the lowest hoop and the handrail
shall be protected to prevent a person from falling through. This can be achieved by connecting the
hoop to the handrail with an additional protection, see Figure 8. Alternatively, a local increase of the
side protection height may be provided as shown in EN ISO 14122-4:2016, Figures 16 and 17.

Key
1 additional protection to close a gap

Figure 8 — Example of additional protection

5.7.2 Movable hoop-guards

Movable hoop-guards are such, which can be moved and locked between access and stored positions.
Movable hoop-guards may be provided in conjunction with movable cabin or platform.
Movable hoop-guard for rung ladders shall:
— have their movement guided along the access ladder;

— for all operating positions, be designed so that the hoops remain perpendicular to the ladder;

— be fitted with at least five flexible straps.

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Each flexible strap shall

— have a minimum strength of 25 kN;
— exhibit an elastic extension not exceeding 10 % of the length when a force of 10 kN is applied.

Hoop-guard dimensions shall be in accordance with Table 6.

Table 6— Dimensions for hoop-guards

Dimensions in millimetres
Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Vertical distance between the floor and 2 200 2 500
the first hoop
Hoop pitch The same dimensions as
for Type 1 access apply.
— with 3 vertical bars - 900
— with 5 vertical bars - 1 500
Movable hoop guard only
— inside diameter of the hoop 600 800
— hoop pitch - 800

5.8 Walkways, inclined walkways, platforms

Each side of walkways, inclined walkways, rest platforms and platforms from which there is a risk of
falling greater than 500 mm shall be equipped with side protection (see 5.10).
Where a horizontal walkway is provided alongside a continuous surface, a handrail is not required
between the continuous surface and the walkway, provided that (H + B) ≥ 1 250 mm and H ≥ 700 mm,
see Figure 9. Surface structures with holes smaller than 50 mm by 50 mm may be taken as continuous.
The dimensions of walkways, inclined walkways and platforms shall be in accordance with Table 7. See
also Figure 10.

Key
1 continuous surfaces
2 side protection
3 walkway

Figure 9 — Walkway along a continuous surface

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Table 7 — Dimensions for walkways, inclined walkways, platforms, rest platforms

Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 10 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Width of walkways and inclined walkways w1 450 a - 450 -
Width of walkways and inclined walkways w2 - - 230 -
Width of the shorter side of a platform 600 - 400 -
Width of the shorter side of a rest platform 400 - 400
Free height above the floor of walkways and inclined h1, h2 2 000 b - 1 400 -
walkways
Free height above the floor of the platforms 2 000 b - 1 400 -
a The width of the walkway may be reduced locally to 400 mm to take account of fixed obstruction within the
access ways.
b In the case of a fixed obstacle of 1 000 mm in length or shorter, the height may be reduced to 1 400 mm. In that
case, the obstacle shall be conspicuously marked.

5.9 Minimum clear passage of access routes

Minimum clear passage of access routes shall be determined taking into account:
— free height above the floor of walkways and inclined walkways as specified in Table 7;

— width profile of free access route in accordance with Figure 10;

— clearance between parallel handholds 450 mm or larger, where the body must pass through
(dimension “u” shown in Figures 7 and 13 and specified in Tables 5 and 9).

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Key
1 Type 1 access
2 Type 2 access
h1 2 000 mm
h2 1 400 mm
h3 1 000 mm
w1 450 mm
w2 230 mm

Figure 10 — Minimum clear passage of access routes

5.10 Handrails and side protection

Side protection shall be achieved with a handrail, an intermediate guard rail and toe board, or any other
means for ensuring at least equivalent protection.
The fitting of flexible elements such as chains or ropes is not permitted for side protection.
Where side protection is interrupted to provide ladder access and there is risk of falling, there shall be
means to prevent falling, e.g. a self-closing gate, which cannot open outwards or a hatch protecting the
opening for a ladder access. A self-closing gate shall meet the relevant requirements of the adjacent side
protection regarding handrail and intermediate guard rail. These means are not required for rest
platforms.
If, during crane operation, there is relative movement between separate sections of handrails or side
protection, the requirements of EN ISO 13854:2019 apply.
Figure 11 illustrates the dimensional parameters of handrail and side protection and shows an example
of a stanchion at an interruption. The dimensions of handrails, intermediate guard rails and side
protection shall be in accordance with Figure 11 and Table 8. The stanchion at an interruption need not
be done by bending the handrail. The stanchion profile type may be different from the handrail profile
type. The handrail and the intermediate guard rail in a side protection need not be of the same size or
same profile type.

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Figure 11 — Handrail dimensions and interruption of a handrail

Table 8 — Dimensions for side protection

Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 11 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Size of handrail or intermediate guard rail:
d1, d2 16 50 a 16 50 a
diameter, width, thickness
Distance between the floor or stair and the
v 1 100 - 1 100 -
top handrail or guard-rail
Gap between the horizontal guard bars v1, v2 - 500 - 500
Distance between the floor and the top of
w 100 - 50 -
the toe board
Clearance between the floor and the lower
y - 10 - 10
edge of the toe board
Gap between non-moving, separate,
g 50 120 50 120
discontinuous sections of handrails
Bend radius of handrail at interruptions R - 120 - 120
a The requirement of the maximum size does not apply for the intermediate guard rail.

At a junction of a platform/walkway and the down end of a stair, the distance from top of a side
protection to the closest edge of a step shall be 1 100 mm or more (dimension r in Figure 12), to
prevent a person from falling over the side protection. Where the stair can move relative to the
platform, the requirement applies only to the stair position related to the principal access route. To fulfil
the requirement, increasing of the height of the side protection or widening of the platform at the
junction might be needed.

The above requirement regarding the distance r applies also for two adjacent platforms on different
height levels, see the right-hand side pictogram of Figure 12.

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Figure 12 — Side protection at down end of a stair or at platforms on different levels

5.11 Handholds

Handholds shall be provided to facilitate access to or from a ladder. Handholds shall be orientated in a
manner consistent with the movement. Handrails shall be parallel to the path of motion of the user.
The dimensions of handholds shall be in accordance with Figure 13 and Table 9.

Figure 13 — Dimensional parameters for handholds

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Table 9 — Dimensions for handholds

Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 13 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Size of handhold: diameter, width, thickness d 16 50 16 50
Free length for hand clearance p 150 - 150 -
Free depth for hand clearance q 40 - 40 -
Distance between rungs and handhold z 0 200 0 200
Vertical distance between the lower part of a
handhold and the uppermost rung of the r - 300 - 300
ladder
Height of the handhold above a platform v 1 100 - 1 100 -
Clearance between a handhold and a ladder t 75 200 75 200
Clearance between handholds for the body to
u 450 - 450a -
pass through
aIn the case of access length of 4 m or less, this clearance may be reduced to 300 mm for access route heights of
2 m or more.

5.12 Hatches and manholes

Hatches shall be capable of only being opened against gravity. Those in rest platforms and walkways
shall also be provided with a means to secure the hatch door in the open position. Hatches in Type 1
platforms shall be self-closing, e.g. by gravity.
The force needed to open a hatch door shall not exceed 135 N.
Manholes shall meet the dimensional requirements given in Table 10.

Table 10 — Clear opening dimensions for manholes

Dimensions in millimetres
Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Side of a square section or diameter of a round
600 - 500 -
section

Rectangular section, with rounded corners 500 × 650 - 400 × 600 -

Length of passage through a manhole - 500 - 500

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

5.13 Strength, means of access and their supporting structures

In general, the proof of competence of structures of means of access and their supports shall be in
accordance with EN 13001-3-1:2012+A2:2018, except as otherwise given in this standard.
This clause specifies values of live loadings acting on means of access, due to traffic by operating and
maintenance persons. These loadings are considered local, acting only on the access facilities
themselves and on their specific supporting structure; the loadings need not to be taken into account in
the overall design of the crane. The dead weight of the access facilities shall be added to the design
loadings of the supports of the access facilities and added also to the overall loadings acting on the
crane.
Only the proof of static strength is required, where the partial safety γp shall be set to 1,34 and shall be
applied on the nominal values of forces given in this clause and on the dead weight of the access
facilities. For particular applications, the loads due to excitation of the crane support shall be taken into
account.
The attachments of the access ways to the main load carrying structures of the crane shall be such that
deformations of main structure do not cause detrimental effects on access ways.
All surfaces of walkways, platforms, stairs and hatches, where persons may stand, shall withstand
without permanent deformation:
— a force of 1 500 N applied through a 125 mm diameter disc at any location on the surface and,

— a uniformly distributed force of 2 000 N/m2.

Where the size of a hatch door does not provide space for more than one person, the hatch door may be
designed for a force of 1 250 N, instead of the requirements above.
Where particular maintenance actions of the crane presuppose placing of components on the means of
access, the weight of these components shall be taken into account in the design of the means of access
and their supporting structures. Instructions for these maintenance actions and related, acceptable
loading on means of access shall be provided in the crane documentation.
A hoop guard supported by longitudinal bars shall be able to resist a vertical force of 1 000 N
distributed over 100 mm at any point on the hoop guard without permanent deformation.
Handrails and side protections shall be designed for a horizontal, distributed force of 300 N/m on the
handrail or side protection. As a minimum, a force of 300 N shall be taken. The elastic deformation at
any point of the handrail or side protection shall not exceed 30 mm.
Handholds shall be able to resist a vertical and a separately effecting horizontal force of 1 000 N at any
point on the handhold without permanent deformation.
Rung and step ladders shall be designed for a force of 1 500 N distributed over a length of 100 mm at
any range of a single rung or step. The uprights and their supports on the crane structure shall be
designed assuming this rung or step force effecting at every 2 000 mm of the ladder length and at the
distance of 350 mm from the plane of the ladder.

6 Verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures

Verification of the means of access shall generally be carried out on the fully assembled crane. However,
where applicable, individual components may be separately verified or tested.
Conformity to each safety requirement and/or measure (given in Clause 5) shall be verified by the
methods detailed in Table 11.

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Table 11 — Methods to be used to verify conformity with the safety requirements and/or
protective measures

Clause number Visual inspection Measurement Testing Calculation

5.1 x x
5.2 x
5.3 x x
5.4 x x
5.5 x x
5.6 x x
5.7 x x
5.8 x x
5.9 x
5.10 x x
5.11 x x
5.12 x x x x
5.13 x x
Testing may be replaced by calculation, as the only way of verification.

7 Information for use

The crane access ways shall be provided with instructions in accordance with EN ISO 12100:2010 and
EN 12644-1:2001+A1:2008 and as further specified in this document.
Instructions shall be provided for the use of means of access. The instruction handbook shall give
information on anchorage points available for the use of personal fall protection equipment against falls
from height. Instruction signs attached to the relevant locations at the access ways could give
information, e.g. on prohibited areas for unauthorized persons, closing of gates and hatches, load
capacity of platforms at maintenance locations.
Where for repairs or emergency it can be anticipated that the means of access installed on the crane
cannot be used, information for the use of other methods shall be provided.
Where a powered access is provided, information shall be given in order to install it.

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Annex A
(informative)

Selection of a suitable set of crane standards for a given application

Is there a product standard in the following list that suits the application?

EN 13000 Cranes — Mobile cranes

EN 14439 Cranes — Safety — Tower cranes
EN 14985 Cranes — Slewing jib cranes
EN 15011 Cranes — Bridge and gantry cranes
EN 13852-1 Cranes — Offshore cranes — Part 1: General-purpose offshore cranes
EN 13852-2 Cranes — Offshore cranes — Part 2: Floating cranes
EN 14492-1 Cranes — Power driven winches and hoists — Part 1: Power driven
winches
EN 14492-2 Cranes — Power driven winches and hoists — Part 2: Power driven hoists
EN 12999 Cranes — Loader cranes
EN 16851 Cranes — Light crane systems
EN 13155 Cranes — Safety — Non-fixed load lifting attachments
EN 13157 Cranes — Hand powered cranes
EN 14238 Cranes — Manually controlled load manipulating devices
YES NO
Use it directly, plus the
standards that are referred
to

Use the following:

EN 13001-1 Cranes — General design — Part 1: General principles and requirements
EN 13001-2 Cranes safety — General design — Part 2: Load actions
EN 13001-3-1 Cranes — General Design — Part 3–1: Limit States and proof competence of
steel structures
EN 13001-3-2 Cranes — General design — Part 3–2: Limit states and proof of competence
of wire ropes in reeving systems
EN 13001-3-3 Cranes — General design — Part 3–3: Limit states and proof of competence
of wheel/rail contacts
EN 13001-3-4 Cranes — General Design — Part 3–4: Limit States and proof competence of
machinery — Bearings
EN 13001-3-5 Cranes — General design — Part 3–5: Limits states and proof of competence
of forged hooks

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

EN 13001-3-6 Cranes — General Design — Part 3–6: Limit States and proof competence of
machinery — Hydraulic cylinders
EN 13135 Cranes — Safety — Design — Requirements for equipment
EN 13557 Cranes — Controls and control stations
EN 12077-2 Cranes safety — Requirements for health and safety — Part 2: Limiting and
indicating devices
EN 13586 Cranes — Access
EN 14502-1 Cranes — Equipment for the lifting of persons — Part 1: Suspended baskets
EN 14502-2 Cranes — Equipment for the lifting of persons — Part 2: Elevating control
stations
EN 12644-1 Cranes — Information for use and testing — Part 1: Instructions
EN 12644-2 Cranes — Information for use and testing — Part 2: Marking

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Annex B
(informative)

Examples of surfaces considered to be slip-resistant

Figures B.1 to B.4 are examples of surfaces considered slip-resistant.

Figure B.1 — Solid plate with raised perforated buttons

Figure B.2 — Grating with diamond pattern having serrated edges

Figure B.3 — Surface coated with sand/paint mixture or Plastic film coated with silicon carbide
abrasive particles and glued on a solid plate

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BS EN 13586:2020
EN 13586:2020 (E)

Figure B.4 — Grating with steel flats and bars orthogonally to each other

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Annex ZA
(informative)

Relationship between this European standard and the essential

requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC aimed to be covered

This European Standard has been prepared under a Commission’s standardization request “M/396
Mandate to CEN and CENELEC for Standardisation in the field of machinery” to provide one voluntary
means of conforming to essential requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast).
Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union under that Directive,
compliance with the normative clauses of this standard given in Table ZA.1 confers, within the limits of
the scope of this standard, a presumption of conformity with the corresponding essential requirements
of that Directive and associated EFTA regulations.

Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Annex I of Directive
2006/42/EC

The relevant Essential Clause(s)/subclause(s) of Remarks/Notes

Requirement of Directive this EN
2006/42/EC
1.1.4 -- not covered. ER 1.1.4 covered
by specific crane type
standards
1.1.6 5
1.3.2 5.7.2, 5.13
1.3.3 5.1, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.10
1.3.4 5.3.5
1.3.7 5.10, 5.12
1.5.14 5.12
1.5.15 5.3, 5.4, 5.6.1, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10,
5.11
1.6.2 5
1.7.1 5.6, 5.8, 7
1.7.2 7
1.7.4 7

WARNING 1 — Presumption of conformity stays valid only as long as a reference to this European
Standard is maintained in the list published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Users of this
standard should consult frequently the latest list published in the Official Journal of the European
Union.

WARNING 2 — Other Union legislation may be applicable to the product(s) falling within the scope of
this standard.

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EN 13586:2020 (E)

Bibliography

[1] EN 81-43:2009, Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Special lifts for the
transport of persons and goods - Part 43: Lifts for cranes

[2] EN 363:2018, Personal fall protection equipment - Personal fall protection systems

[3] EN 795:2012, Personal fall protection equipment - Anchor devices

[4] EN ISO 14122-1:2016, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 1:
Choice of fixed means and general requirements of access (ISO 14122-1:2016)

[5] EN ISO 14122-2:2016, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 2:
Working platforms and walkways (ISO 14122-2:2016)

[6] EN ISO 14122-3:2016, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 3:
Stairs, stepladders and guard-rails (ISO 14122-3:2016)

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