Safety during the transport of goods is a key priority for small goods lifts and goods lifts.
Here you will find the most important questions and answers regarding load securing in accordance with the new standard – and discover how we already meet these requirements as standard.
Why is load securing so important?
In practice, goods that have slipped, tipped over or are protruding are the most common causes of faults in small goods lifts. If a load becomes wedged against the shaft wall or blocks the shaft doors when they open, this results in downtime or damage.
What specific requirements do EN 81-30/EN 81-31 set out regarding load securing?
The wording of the standard is as follows:
In cases where the intended load could come into contact with the shaft walls during travel, appropriate devices to restrict movement, e.g. locking devices, barriers, roller shutters, load-carrying platform doors, etc., must be provided at the access point to the load-carrying platform.
Movable devices must be monitored in their closed position by an electrical safety device in accordance with 4.11.1.2.
Particular attention must be paid to load carriers with opposite or side access points to prevent the load from protruding beyond the edges of the load carrier [...]
What does this mean for the operator?
The lift operator must be consulted to assess the extent to which there is a risk that the load may move or protrude from the car during travel. In such a case, it is essential to ensure that an appropriate protective measure (= load securing) is provided on the lift:
- Integrated car closures / car doors: (e.g. roller shutters or sliding doors) which physically seal the car during travel.
- Locking mechanisms & restraint devices: (e.g. guide edges or deflector plates) which prevent containers or crates from slipping or colliding with the shaft wall or the shaft frame during acceleration or deceleration.
It should be noted, however, that some of the available options slightly reduce the clear internal dimensions of the lift car. This should be taken into account when making a choice, as should the subsequent use. This is because not all load-securing options are suitable for all types of lifts. Roller shutters or guide edges, for example, are rather impractical for lifts with floor-level loading.
