1.1 This European Standard specifies technical safety requirements and measures for all types and sizes of
Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) intended to move persons to working positions where they are
carrying out work from the work platform (WP) with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work
platform at one defined access position.
1.2 This European Standard is applicable to the structural design calculations and stability criteria,
construction, safety examinations and tests before MEWPs are first put into service. It identifies the hazards
arising from the use of MEWPs and describes methods for the elimination or reduction of these hazards.
It does not cover the hazards arising from:
a) operation by radio and other wire-less controls;
b) use in potentially explosive atmospheres;
c) electromagnetic incompatibility;
d) work on live electric systems;
e) use of compressed gases for load bearing components;
f) getting on and off the work platform at changing levels.
1.3 This European standard does not apply to:
a) permanently installed personnel lifting appliances serving defined levels (see e.g. EN 81-1:1998 and
EN 81-2:1998);
b) fire-fighting and fire rescue appliances (see e.g. prEN 1777:1994);
c) unguided work cages suspended from lifting appliances (see e.g. EN 1808:1999);
d) elevating operator position on rail dependent storage and retrieval equipment (see EN 528:1996);
e) tail lifts (see prEN 1756-1:1994 and prEN 1756-2:1997);
f) mast climbing work platforms (see EN 1495:1997);
g) fairground equipment;
h) lifting tables with a lifting height of less than 2 m (see EN 1570:1998);
i) builders hoists for persons and materials (see prEN 12159:1995);
j) aircraft ground support equipment (see e.g. prEN 1915-1 and 2:1995);
k) elevating operator positions on industrial trucks (see prEN 1726-2:1999).
1.4 Classification
MEWPs are divided into two main groups:
Group A: MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of gravity of the load is always inside the
tipping lines.
Group B: MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of gravity of the load may be outside the
tipping lines.
Relating to travelling, MEWPs are divided into three types:
type 1 Travelling is only allowed with the MEWP in its transport position;
type 2 Travelling with raised work platform is controlled from a point of control at the chassis;
type 3 Travelling with raised work platform is controlled from a point of control at the work platform.
NOTE The types 2 and 3 can be combined
1.5 This standard applies to machines which are manufactured 12 months after publication of this standard.
BS EN 280:2001+A2:2009 history
1970BS EN 280:2013+A1:2015 Mobile elevating work platforms - Design calculations - Stability criteria - Construction - Safety - Examinations and tests
2013BS EN 280:2013 Mobile elevating work platforms. Design calculations. Stability criteria. Construction Safety. Examinations and tests
2001BS EN 280:2001+A2:2009 Mobile elevating work platforms - Design calculations - Stability criteria - Construction - Safety - Examinations and tests
2001BS EN 280:2001 Mobile elevating work platforms - Design calculations - Stability criteria - Construction - Safety - Examinations and tests