Overview
EN 13135:2026 - Cranes - Safety - Requirements for equipment is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies comprehensive safety requirements for the equipment used in all types of cranes and their associated fixed load lifting attachments. The focus of this standard is to protect personnel by minimizing hazards related to health and safety during crane operation, covering electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. The standard is applicable from the point of power supply connection to the crane-including external power and control feeders, electric motors, and cableless controls-through to the selection and application of essential safety devices and attachments.
This standard is intended for crane designers, manufacturers, operators, and safety professionals, ensuring that the relevant equipment is both selected and applied in a manner that supports effective risk reduction throughout the crane’s lifecycle.
Key Topics
EN 13135:2026 covers a broad range of topics critical to crane safety and compliance, including:
- Design requirements for electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment used in cranes.
- Safety measures for protecting against electrical shock, mechanical failure, loss of control, and hazardous environments.
- Selection guidelines for equipment components, ensuring compatibility with application demands and safety risk levels.
- Requirements for cranes transporting hazardous loads, with additional provisions for cranes handling hot molten metal.
- Protective devices such as brakes, couplings, control circuits, safety functions, and anti-collision systems.
- Operator interface and controls, covering control stations, human-machine interface, and use of cableless control systems.
- Compliance with legal frameworks, including alignment with requirements of the Machinery Regulation and relevant EU directives.
- Environmental effects considerations, such as temperature extremes and material degradation.
The standard outlines the significant hazards that must be addressed and provides specific guidance on risk assessment, referencing EN ISO 12100 for general safety principles. It does not, however, cover the detailed strength calculations or proof of competence for components, nor does it address hazards such as noise, explosive atmospheres, or ionizing radiation.
Applications
EN 13135:2026 is crucial for organizations involved in the design, manufacture, installation, and operation of crane systems. Key practical applications include:
- Manufacturers: Ensures all new crane equipment meets mandatory safety and design requirements before entering the European market.
- Design engineers: Provides technical guidance on selecting appropriate electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems for different crane types and operational scenarios.
- Health and safety professionals: Assists with conducting risk assessments and verifying compliance with European crane safety standards during inspections and audits.
- Cranes transporting hazardous loads: Sets out additional preventive measures for lifting dangerous goods, particularly hot molten metals, to reduce the risk of severe accidents.
- Maintenance providers: Ensures that service procedures align with the latest safety and marking requirements to maintain ongoing compliance.
- Regulatory bodies: Supports market surveillance activities by establishing a clear baseline for assessing crane equipment safety.
By following EN 13135:2026, organizations help reduce accident risks, support regulatory compliance, and ensure safer work environments.
Related Standards
EN 13135:2026 forms part of an integrated network of crane safety standards. Relevant related standards include:
- EN 13001 series: General design requirements, limit states, and proof of competence for crane structures and components.
- EN 12077-2: Health and safety requirements for limiting and indicating devices in cranes.
- EN 60204-32: Electrical safety requirements specific to hoisting machines.
- EN 13557: Standards for crane control devices and operator stations.
- EN ISO 12100: Risk assessment and reduction principles for machinery safety.
- EN ISO 4413 and EN ISO 4414: Safety requirements for hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- EN 13155: Safety for non-fixed load lifting attachments.
- EN 62745: Requirements for cableless control systems.
For specific crane applications or attachments, consult the relevant sections of these and other referenced standards to ensure comprehensive compliance and safety.
Keywords: EN 13135:2026, crane safety requirements, equipment design, CEN standards, crane electrical safety, mechanical safety, crane control systems, hazardous load lifting, European crane standard, industrial crane compliance