ISO 3691-5:2014

Overview

ISO 3691-5:2014 - "Industrial trucks - Safety requirements and verification - Part 5: Pedestrian-propelled trucks" sets out safety requirements and verification methods for pedestrian-operated industrial trucks used for normal internal material handling. It covers a range of pedestrian-propelled trucks (manual or battery-powered lifting) operating on smooth, level, hard surfaces, including straddle stackers, pallet stackers, pallet trucks, low-lift pallet trucks and scissor-lift pallet trucks.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 3691-5:2014 focuses on preventing significant hazards by specifying design, protection and verification measures. Major technical topics include:

• Scope and definitions for pedestrian-propelled truck types (stackers, pallet trucks, scissor-lift trucks).
• Propelling and steering: requirements for safe manual or powered propulsion and steering controls.
• Load-handling controls and lifting systems: safe operation, manual or battery-powered lifting mechanisms, lift heights and rated capacities (e.g., low-lift up to 300 mm, scissor-lift up to 1 000 mm).
• Parking brake and stability: measures to prevent unintended movement and overturning.
• Lateral stabilizers and protection against crushing, shearing and entanglement.
• Edges, angles and protective devices to reduce risk of injury.
• Additional requirements for battery-powered lifting, including integrated on-board chargers.
• Verification methods: functional verification, design/type testing and measurement methods (normative annexes).
• Information for use: required instruction manuals, marking and user information.
• Annexes provide measurement methods, rated capacity guidance and a list of significant hazards.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

ISO 3691-5 is intended for:

• Manufacturers and designers of pedestrian-propelled trucks to design compliant, safer equipment.
• Safety engineers and compliance officers implementing risk assessments and conformity verification.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing type tests and functional verification.
• Procurement teams and fleet managers specifying equipment for warehouses, logistics centers, retail and light industrial environments.

This standard helps ensure trucks are safe for intended use, reduces workplace injuries and supports regulatory compliance in industrial material handling.

Related standards

Relevant normative references and complementary documents include:

• ISO 12100 (Safety of machinery - risk assessment), ISO 5053 (terminology), ISO 2328, ISO 13857, ISO 20898, ISO 3287 and ISO 15870.
• Regional extensions: ISO/TS 3691-7 and ISO/TS 3691-8 (regional requirements).

Keywords: ISO 3691-5, pedestrian-propelled trucks, industrial trucks safety, pallet stackers, pallet trucks, scissor-lift pallet trucks, safety requirements, verification.