BOSS EN 1004-1:2020 Mobile Access and Working Towers Instructions

BOSS EN 1004-1:2020 Mobile Access and Working Towers

Falls from height are one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries to workers. Using EN 1004 compliant products means you are working on equipment that meets the minimum safety requirements.

Why do we certify our towers to EN 1004-1:2020?

• It demonstrates our commitment to ensuring BoSS towers have gone through rigorous testing to provide maximum safety for the end user.
• It ensures that materials, dimensions, design loads, safety and performance requirements conform to safety standards.

What’s happening?

A new version of EN 1004 was released in 2020

• There’s a transition period of 12 months from the date the new Standard requirements are released. During this time, product modifications are made and tests are undertaken to ensure all products that fall into the scope of the EN 1004 Standard conform and are certified.
• All BoSS products will be put through 3rd party testing to provide additional levels of assurance through official certification.
• EN 1004:2004 will be withdrawn in November 2021.

What is changing in EN 1004:2020?

Towers under 2.5m

Tower builds under 2.5m were not previously included in the scope of EN 1004. The new standard now covers ALL towers below 2.5m.

• Any towers from the ground up will require additional components to conform to the new Standard, so the build method and quantity schedules of our low-level towers are being assessed and updated.
• Maximum heights remain at 8m externally and 12m internally

Making Mobile Towers even safer

• Reduced maximum distances between platform levels.
• Previous distance 4.2m
• New maximum distance – 2.25m
• Shorter distance from the ground to the first platform of the tower
• Previous distance 4.6m
• New maximum distance – 3.4m
• Measures to prevent castors falling out
• Wind-locks on both ends of the platform
• Updated wind and gust load guidance during structural calculations of the tower
• Increased guidance of material specifications

DID YOU KNOW? BoSS access towers have typically always had a distance of 2m between platforms to provide maximum user safety when working at height.

Innovation opportunities in low-level access products

• We can now develop towers with access from the outside of the structure where the working platform is below 2m

How do I know if my tower is in the scope of the new EN 1004-1:2020

Standard?

The tower will meet the following criteria

• Single bay structure with four legs
• On castors not baseplates
• May be supplied with stabilizers
• One working platform at a time
• Easy to relocate/dismantle
• Should not be used with personal fall arrest
• Dimensions are fixed by design
• Built-in means of access
• Can be made of various materials, not just aluminum
• Built at heights from 0m to 8m/12m
• Maximum wind-load requirements

How do I tell if a product complies to the new standard?

Look on the product – the label should state the standard

Check the User Instructions

Can I mix and match components?

No, when you combine components from different manufacturers, a new structure has been created that has not been tested to the safety standard and therefore does not comply. Although it may appear that all access towers look the same and components may be similar to each other, the actual characteristics and performance of the components can be very different. It’s important to remember that in EN 1004-1:2020 it is not the components that are approved it is the overall tower structure.

Can I use towers that do not comply with the new standard?

From November 2021, any new towers purchased should comply with the new standard

However, you may continue to use any existing tower products that comply with EN 1004:2004 as long as they are in a suitable condition. You should always refer back to the user manual supplied to check your product requirements are up to date.

bossaccesstowers.com/EN1004

References

• BoSS Official Site | BoSS Access Towers
• EN 1004 Standard has changed | BoSS Access Towers
• Literature | BoSS Access Towers

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