Includes the latest technical knowledge on lifting safety.

"Is it frozen?" Marcus asked.

The 2020 version (including the 2025 Amendment) provides comprehensive requirements for manufacturers and users, focusing on mechanical strength and stability. 1. Mechanical Safety Requirements

Standards like BS EN 13155 are copyrighted documents published by standards bodies (BSI and CEN). Sharing, reproducing, or distributing full PDFs without authorization may be illegal. To comply and ensure you have the official, up-to-date standard:

When searching online for a "free download" of this standard, you will likely encounter various file-sharing websites, forums, and unverified repositories. It is vital to approach these links with caution for several reasons:

Crane forks used to lift palletized goods on construction sites. Key Safety Requirements of BS EN 13155

Equipment must be designed to prevent the load from slipping or tilting dangerously during transit. 2. Failure Prevention Mechanisms

Non-fixed load lifting attachments, commonly known as "below-the-hook" components, are devices that can be attached or removed from a crane's hook by the end-user without modifying the integrity of the crane itself. Because these attachments sit directly between heavy machinery and the payload, their structural performance is critical to site safety. Equipment Covered Under the Standard

Structural beams that distribute the weight of a load across multiple lifting points to ensure balance and reduce stress on the crane hook.

The official British Standards Institution website offers the most up-to-date versions of BS EN 13155 for direct purchase and download in digital PDF format.

Using an unofficial document for compliance purposes can lead to project delays, legal liability, and safety hazards, as the documentation may be incomplete or altered.

Some academic or national libraries provide free on-site viewing access to technical standards. Testing, Inspection, and Compliance

Simply purchasing an attachment that claims to meet BS EN 13155 is not enough. Continuous compliance requires a strict regimen of testing, inspection, and certification under local regulations like LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) in the UK. Proof Load Testing

Arthur looked up sharply. "If we lift that load without the verified proof load test ratios mandated by the standard, and the cable snaps, I go to jail, you lose your license, and the company folds. And that's the best-case scenario."

BS EN 13155 is the essential European safety standard for non-fixed load lifting attachments

The standard outlines specific testing, inspection, and certification procedures. Manufacturers must perform proof load tests to verify the structural integrity of the attachment before it is put into service. Why You Need the Latest Version (2020+A1:2025)