ISO 20474-6:2017

Overview - ISO 20474-6:2017 (Dumpers)

ISO 20474-6:2017 is the Type-C safety standard that specifies machine-specific safety requirements for wheeled and crawler dumpers, including compact dumpers with seated or standing operators. It is to be used together with ISO 20474‑1 (General requirements); where this part gives specific requirements, those take precedence. The standard addresses significant hazards during commissioning, operation and maintenance and is not applicable to machines built before publication or dumpers primarily designed for public road use.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard focuses on practical protective measures and lists specific requirements for dumpers, including:

• Dump body controls and safety

  • Safe placement and design of manual control devices for opening/closing the body.
  • Safe lowering of the body to transport position in case of energy loss (e.g., manual valve).
  • Body-down indicators and speed limitations: devices preventing speeds >10 km/h when body not lowered (up to 20 km/h for articulated dumpers used for spreading); audible/visible warnings when body is raised and transmission engaged.
  • Body support devices meeting ISO 13333 for maintenance and service.
  • Measures to assist discharge where material may stick to the body (compact dumpers excluded).

• Retarder systems

  • Required for all dumpers except compact and crawler dumpers, in accordance with ISO 10268.

• ROPS and FOPS

  • Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) per ISO 3471 with modifications (see ISO 3164 for lateral loading on compact dumpers).
  • Falling-object protective structures (FOPS) - Level II for most dumpers; Level I for compact dumpers with cabs, and Level II for compact dumpers with self-loading equipment (per ISO 3449).

• Operator station and ergonomics

  • Cab requirements per ISO 20474‑1 (compact dumpers need a cab only in hazardous conditions).
  • Seating and vibration classes per ISO 7096: wheeled dumpers EM1; compact dumpers EM7.
  • Special provisions for compact dumpers with standing operators: max travel speed 4 km/h, hold-to-run controls, devices to support operator, containment within machine plan dimensions, and interlocks to prevent travel when operator not in safe position.

Applications and users

ISO 20474-6 is intended for:

• Dumper manufacturers and designers to integrate safety into product design
• Safety engineers and compliance officers ensuring conformity with industry standards
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing laboratory evaluations (ROPS/FOPS/retarder)
• Procurement teams, fleet managers and site safety managers specifying safe equipment for construction, quarrying, and earth-moving operations

Related standards

Commonly used with:

• ISO 20474-1 (General requirements)
• ISO 6165 (Terminology & types)
• ISO 3449 (FOPS), ISO 3471 (ROPS), ISO 3164 (deflection-limiting volume)
• ISO 10268 (Retarder tests), ISO 13333 (body support devices), ISO 7096 (seat vibration)

Keywords: ISO 20474-6, dumpers safety, earth-moving machinery, FOPS, ROPS, operator station, dump body safety, compact dumper.