SIST EN 13586:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies design requirements for non-powered means of access installed on cranes.; Slidable, retractable means of access are excluded from the scope, except movable hoop guards.; This document covers means of access to control stations and all access required for maintenance, certain erection and dismantling operations.; For those cranes which are intended to be erected and dismantled frequently to change their places of work, e.g. tower cranes, specific requirements for the access needed during these operations are not covered by this document and can be given in the appropriate European Standards for specific crane types.; Lighting of means of access is not covered by this document and can be given in the appropriate European Standards for specific crane types.; Specification of the required rescue equipment, use of rescue equipment and the adaptation of crane access to the selected rescue equipment, are not covered by this document and can be given in the appropriate European Standards for specific crane types.; NOTE Specific requirements for access on particular types of cranes are given in the appropriate European Standard for the particular crane type.; The requirements given in this document do not take into account the safety distances related to:; - guarding against hazard from moving parts;; - relative movement between crane and adjacent structure or the ground/floor;; - hazardous surface temperature;; - electrical equipment.; The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Annex A.; This document is not applicable to cranes manufactured before the date of its publication.

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 29-Jun-2025
• ICS: 53.020.20 - Cranes
• Technical Committee: DTN - Lift and transport appliances
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 03-Oct-2026
• Directive: Not Harmonized2023/1230 - Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 on machinery and repealing Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 73/361/EEC (Text with EEA relevance)
• Mandate: M/605 - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 20.1.2025 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardization and to the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization as regards machinery and related products in support of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Ref Project: EN 13586:2026 - Cranes - Access

• Referred By: SIST EN 16851:2017 - Cranes - Light crane systems
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 13852-2:2005 - Cranes - Offshore cranes - Part 2: Floating cranes
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 14985:2012 - Cranes - Slewing jib cranes
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 13852-1:2004 - Cranes - Offshore cranes - Part 1: General - purpose offshore cranes
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 15011:2011+A1:2014 - Cranes - Bridge and gantry cranes
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Revises: SIST EN 13586:2021 - Cranes - Access
• Effective Date: 31-Jul-2024

Overview

SIST EN 13586:2026 - Cranes – Access sets out the essential design requirements for non-powered means of access on cranes. Developed by SIST in collaboration with CEN/TC 147 “Cranes - Safety,” this European Standard provides harmonized guidelines to ensure safe and practical access for crane operators and maintenance personnel. It applies to fixed access solutions-such as ladders, stairs, platforms, and walkways-integral to crane structures, and aims to eliminate significant hazards related to human access during operation, inspection, and maintenance. The standard does not cover powered access systems, slidable or retractable means of access (except movable hoop guards), or access and lighting requirements specific to certain crane types, which are addressed in related European standards.

Key Topics

• Scope of Access: Details requirements for non-powered, fixed means of entry to crane control stations and areas necessary for maintenance, erection, and dismantling.
• Types of Access Systems: Specifies stairs, step ladders, rung ladders, footholds, walkways, platforms, and movable hoop guards, with clear hierarchy and suitability based on usage frequency and access height.
• Design Principles: Emphasizes three-point contact for safety, defined spacing, slip resistance, absence of sharp edges, and structural integrity for all access elements.
• Protective Measures: Outlines criteria for handrails, guard rails, toe boards, rest platforms, and required side protection, including the use of hoop guards at heights with fall risks.
• Access Dimensions: Provides minimum dimensions for widths, clear passages, handholds, and platforms to ensure usability and accessibility.
• Supporting Structures: Includes load specifications and strength requirements for access equipment to withstand operational stresses.
• Significant Hazards: Identifies and excludes safety distances related to moving parts, electrical equipment, hazardous temperatures, and relative movements not covered by this standard.

Applications

This standard holds practical value in several scenarios within the crane industry:

• Crane Manufacturing: Guides manufacturers in integrating safe, compliant access features during crane design and production.
• Maintenance Planning: Assists maintenance planners in ensuring non-powered access routes are present and meet regulatory expectations.
• Operator Safety: Strengthens workplace safety for crane operators and service personnel during daily operation and periodic inspection tasks.
• Refurbishment or Upgrades: Useful for engineers and safety professionals tasked with retrofitting existing cranes (manufactured after the publication date) to comply with the latest safety access requirements.

By adhering to SIST EN 13586:2026, stakeholders reduce the risk of falls, slips, and associated injuries, thereby supporting compliance with European health and safety regulations for machinery, especially under the EU Machinery Regulation.

Related Standards

SIST EN 13586:2026 interacts with several other key European and international standards in the area of crane access and machinery safety, including:

• EN ISO 12100: Safety of machinery – General principles for design and risk assessment.
• EN 363 / EN 795: Personal fall protection systems and anchor devices for use in access systems.
• EN 13001-3-1: General design of crane structures, including proof of competence.
• EN ISO 14122-4: Permanent means of access to machinery – Fixed ladders.
• EN ISO 13854: Minimum gaps to avoid crushing hazards.
• EN ISO 20607: Guidance on drafting safety instructions for machinery.

For crane types with unique access or rescue requirements, relevant standards should be consulted to supplement the provisions of SIST EN 13586:2026. Always verify the latest versions and cross-reference with specific type-based documentation for comprehensive compliance.

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Keywords: crane access, non-powered crane access, crane ladder standard, safety of machinery, crane maintenance safety, fixed ladder, crane walkway, SIST EN 13586, European crane standard, crane regulation compliance

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
01-junij-2025
Dvigala (žerjavi) - Dostop
Cranes - Access
Krane - Zugang
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Accès
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13586
ICS:
53.020.20 Dvigala Cranes
oSIST prEN 13586:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 13586:2025
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13586
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2025
ICS 53.020.20 Will supersede EN 13586:2020
English Version
Cranes - Access
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Accès Krane - Zugang
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 147.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13586:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Safety requirements and/or protective measures. 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Selection of means of access . 7
4.3 Classification of access . 8
4.4 General design principles . 8
4.5 Stairs and step ladders . 9
4.6 Spiral stairs . 10
4.7 Rung ladders - footholds . 11
4.8 Hoop guards . 14
4.9 Walkways, inclined walkways, platforms . 16
4.10 Minimum clear passage of access routes . 17
4.11 Handrails and side protection . 18
4.12 Handholds . 20
4.13 Hatches and manholes. 21
4.14 Strength, means of access and their supporting structures . 22
5 Verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures . 23
6 Information for use . 23
Annex A (informative) List of significant hazards . 24
Annex B (informative) Selection of a suitable set of crane standards for a given application . 25
Annex C (informative) Examples of surfaces considered to be slip-resistant . 27
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 aimed to be covered . 29
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13586:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 147 “Cranes -
Safety”, the secretariat of which is held by SFS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13586:2020.
prEN 13586:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 13586:2020:
— updating of normative references;
— revision of grammar and linguistic consistency;
— revision of List of significant hazards and its move to Annex A;
— re-numbering of clauses and Annexes;
— revision and update of Table A.1;
— revision of Annex ZA.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
For the relationship with other European Standards for cranes, see Annex B.
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Introduction
This document has been prepared to be a harmonized standard to provide one means for crane access to
conform with the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Regulation, as mentioned in
Annex ZA.
This document is a type-C standard as stated in EN ISO 12100:2010.
This document is of relevance, in particular, for the following stakeholder groups representing the market
players with regard to machinery safety:
— machine manufacturers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— health and safety bodies (regulators, accident prevention organizations, market surveillance, etc.).
Others can be affected by the level of machinery safety achieved with the means of the document by the
above-mentioned stakeholder groups:
— machine users/employers (small, medium and large enterprises);
— machine users/employees (e.g. trade unions, organizations for people with special needs);
— service providers, e.g. for maintenance (small, medium and large enterprises);
— consumers (in case of machinery intended for use by consumers).
The above-mentioned stakeholder groups have been given the possibility to participate at the drafting
process of this document.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and hazardous events
are covered, are indicated in the scope of this document.
When requirements of this type-C standard are different from those which are stated in type-A or type B
standard, the requirements of this type-C standard take precedence over the requirements of the other
standards for machines that have been designed and built according to the requirements of this type-C
standard.
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies design requirements for non-powered access installed on cranes.
NOTE 1 For other type of access, a requirement for information to be supplied is specified.
Slidable, retractable means of access are excluded from the scope, except movable hoop guards.
This document covers means of access to control stations and all access required for maintenance, certain
erection and dismantling operations.
For those cranes which are intended to be erected and dismantled frequently to change their places of
work, specific requirements for the access needed during these operations are not covered by this
document and can be given in the appropriate European Standards for specific crane types.
Lighting of means of access is not covered by this document and can be given in the appropriate European
Standards for specific crane types.
NOTE 2 Specific requirements for access on particular types of cranes are given in the appropriate European
Standard for the particular crane type.
The requirements given in this document do not take into account the safety distances related to:
— guarding against hazard from moving parts;
— relative movement between crane and adjacent structure or the ground/floor;
— hazardous surface temperature;
— electrical equipment.
The significant hazards covered by this document are identified in Annex A.
This document is not applicable to cranes manufactured before the date of its publication.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 363:2018, Personal fall protection equipment — Personal fall protection systems
EN 795:2012, Personal fall protection equipment — Anchor devices
EN 13001-3-1:2012+A2:2018, Cranes — General Design — Part 3-1: Limit States and proof competence of
steel structure
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery — General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk
reduction (ISO 12100:2010)
EN ISO 13854:2019, Safety of machinery — Minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body
(ISO 13854:2017)
EN ISO 14122-4:2016, Safety of machinery — Permanent means of access to machinery — Part 4: Fixed
ladders (ISO 14122-4:2016)
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
EN ISO 20607:2019, Safety of machinery — Instruction handbook — General drafting principles
(ISO 20607:2019)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 12100:2010 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/.
3.1
rest platform
standing area for persons to rest, situated at intervals between flights of ladders or stairs
3.2
platform
standing area for persons to work from, e.g. for maintenance or inspection
3.3
handrail
device, which provides continuous hand support between two locations
3.4
handhold
means of providing support by a single hand placement
3.5
foothold
means of providing support for one or two feet for vertical access
3.6
manhole
access opening to allow the passage of persons, and which could have a cover fitted
3.7
hatch
access opening to allow the passage of persons, provided with a cover openable without use of tools
4 Safety requirements and/or protective measures
4.1 General
Means of access shall comply with the safety requirements and/or protective/risk reduction measures of
this clause. In addition, the equipment shall be designed according to the principles of EN ISO 12100:2010
for hazards relevant but not significant which are not dealt with by this document.
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
4.2 Selection of means of access
The following factors shall be taken into account, when determining means of access for cranes:
— frequency of use;
— equipment and tools to be carried;
— vertical distance to cover;
— nature of use, e.g. regular operator access, maintenance, inspection.
The following hierarchy of access methods shall be applied when moving from one level to another where
no technical reason exists to exclude it:
— stair,
— step ladder,
— rung ladder.
Furthermore, permanent protective equipment (e.g. hoop guard, side protection) is preferred to personal
protection equipment. Where personal protective equipment is required, the use of a continuous system
avoiding the need to connect and disconnect shall be applied where no technical reason exists to exclude
it.
The type of the means of the access depending on its steepness shall be selected in accordance with the
Figure 1.
Key
1 rung ladder 5 inclined walkway
2 step ladder 6 walkway
3 range to be avoided 7 not permitted zone (90 degrees or more)
4 stair D access direction when going upwards
Figure 1 — Ranges of angles for different means of access in their working position
For structural requirements of means of access, the term “ladder” is used to refer both to rung ladders
and step ladders.
Where the vertical height between point of access and operator’s control station is more than 30 m, the
crane shall be designed with provisions to receive a powered access. Where a powered access system is
provided, an additional access way of Type 1, see 4.3, shall also be provided.
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prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Other means of access than those in the scope of this standard may be utilized, e.g. for inspection locations
with an inspection interval longer than one year, for emergency exit or for access for erection and
dismantling. Access in such cases shall be designed to rely on use of personal fall protection equipment
against falls from a height in accordance with EN 363:2018 and EN 795:2012 or use of mobile elevating
work platforms.
NOTE Specific requirements for particular crane types can be given in the appropriate European Standards,
see Annex B.
4.3 Classification of access
Type 1 access shall be provided in the following cases:
— the main access way of the crane operator to the control station and to starting equipment;
— the access way to maintenance locations, with a maintenance or inspection period shorter than one
month.
Type 2 access may be provided, instead of Type 1 access, in the following cases:
— the access way to maintenance locations, with a maintenance or inspection period one month or
longer;
— emergency exit;
— access for erection and dismantling.
4.4 General design principles
When ascending or descending provisions shall be made to provide simultaneous three-point support;
two hand holds and one foot hold or two feet holds and one hand hold.
Where a lateral body move is necessary from a rung of a ladder to another support surface, the distance
between the step or rung and the nearest edge of the support surface shall be within a spherical radius of
300 mm, see Figure 2.
Key
R spherical radius
S support surface
Figure 2 — Distance between a step or rung and the nearest edge of any support surface
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Means of access, walking and standing areas shall:
— have their working position(s) designated; (for example platform on articulated boom needs defined
position of the boom for the access);
— take into account the number of the persons, and the presence of objects such as tools and spare
parts;
— be constructed of materials specified as being incombustible and with slip resistant surfaces, which
do not retain liquid. See Annex C.
The steps between adjacent, fixed (non-moveable) floor sections shall not exceed 8 mm in height. This
requirement does not apply in cases, where access is directly on a structural surface and the step is due
to welded joint of the structure.
Every operating position and enclosed operating position, e.g. cabin, shall have at least one exit onto a
fixed means of access. An alternative means of egress shall be provided, where a fixed means of access
cannot be reached from all operating positions of the crane.
Where apertures are used in the floor of a walkway, inclined walkway, landing or platform, which are
situated above an area, where persons are expected to be, slots and interstices shall fulfil the following
requirements:
— a ball with a diameter 20 mm or greater cannot pass through;
— a slot has a maximum width of 12 mm, where the length is 200 mm or greater.
Hand supports shall be designed and constructed so as not to have exposed sharp edges and corners or
other hazardous projections. Edges shall have radii (minimum 2 mm) or be chamfered (minimum
2 × 2 mm).
Obstacles to retain the grip of the hands or feet, shall be provided at the ends of handholds and footholds.
Where access is foreseen with portable ladders, permanent means shall be provided to prevent the top
of the ladder from sliding or slipping.
Portable ladders shall meet the requirements of this document for ladders.
4.5 Stairs and step ladders
Type 1 stairs shall be provided with a handrail and an intermediate guard-rail on both sides. Where the
distance between a stair and a continuous surface is less than 200 mm, it is permissible to omit
intermediate guard-rails. For details of handrails and side protections, see 4.11.
The climbing height of a single flight shall not exceed 6 m for Type 1 step ladders.
Where Type 2 stairs are not fitted with a handrail, provision (e.g. an inclined lifeline in accordance with
EN 795:2012) shall be made for the use of personal fall protection equipment. For personal fall protection
equipment, see EN 363:2018.
Step ladders shall be provided with handrails or handholds on both sides.
Steps shall be regularly spaced within a single section of stairs or step ladders. The distance from the floor
to the first step shall be the same as the rise of the stair or ladder; but may vary to accommodate
movement between the floor and the step or for the fitting of standardized components.
Stairs and step ladders shall have the dimensions in accordance with Figure 3, Table 1 and Table 2.
oSIST prEN 13586:2025
prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Figure 3 — Dimensional parameters for stairs and step ladders
Table 1 — Dimensions for stairs
Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 3 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Clear width of the step b 450 - 320 -
Rise h 180 250 180 250
Going g 150 270 150 270
Tread depth
p 200 - 200 -
Tread depth (p) shall not be less
than the going (g).
Height between the floor and the
- 600 - 700
first step
The following formula shall be applied for stairs: 600 mm ≤ 2 × rise + going ≤ 660 mm.
Table 2 — Dimensions for step ladders
Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figure 3 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
Clear width of the step b 450 - 320 -
Rise h 230 300 230 300
Going g 80 - 80 -
Tread depth p 80 - 80 -
Height between the floor
- 600 - 700
and the first step
4.6 Spiral stairs
The general requirements for stairs regarding e.g. steps, handrails and rest platforms apply also for spiral
stairs, where relevant and where not in conflict with the requirements given in this clause.
Spiral stairs as specified here are applicable in Type 1 and Type 2 access ways.
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prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Spiral stairs shall fulfil the following requirements:
— spiral stairs shall be fitted with side protection;
— the clear width of the access way (R ) shall be 660 mm or wider;
— the clear head room of the access way shall be 2 000 mm or higher;
— the rise height of steps (h) shall be not more than 240 mm;
— the tread depth (p) shall be 190 mm or more, measured at 300 mm (R ) from the narrower edge;
— the going of a step (g) shall be 140 mm or more but not greater than the tread depth (p), measured
at 300 mm (R ) from the narrower edge;
— the size of steps shall be the same through a single spiral stair section, between the lower and upper
walkway or platform.
For illustration of the used symbols, see Figure 4.

Figure 4 — Dimensional parameters for spiral stairs
4.7 Rung ladders - footholds
4.7.1 Rung ladders
The following requirements apply to rung ladders and individual rungs fixed to the crane structure.
Rungs shall be regularly spaced within a single section of ladders, except for the first rung which may
vary to accommodate for movement between the floor and the rung or for the fitting of standardized
component.
Handholds (see 4.12) shall be provided to facilitate access to or from the ladder.
Where a vertical ladder provides an access upwards to a walkway, platform or rest platform, handholds
need not be provided, if one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
a) two handrails (see 4.11) are provided, with opening (u) for the access in accordance with 4.12;
b) the ladder uprights are extended to at least 1 m height from the floor of the walkway, platform or rest
platform;
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prEN 13586:2025 (E)
c) one handrail and one ladder upright are provided to at least 1 m height from the floor of the walkway,
platform or rest platform.
Type 1 ladders, which present a risk of falling greater than 3 m and type 2 ladders, which present a risk
of falling greater than 5 m, shall be equipped with a hoop guard. For Type 2 ladders, the hoop guard may
be replaced by facilities for use with personal fall protection equipment against falls from a height as
defined in EN 363:2018.
Type 1 and Type 2 ladders shall have rest platforms at least every 6 m.
Flights of ladders shall be positioned, or other means provided, to prevent persons falling more than 6 m.
The cross-section of a rung shall be circular or have rounded corners.
Rungs and rung ladder dimensions shall be in accordance with Figures 5 and 6 and Table 3. Minimum
free space around a ladder shall be as illustrated in Figure 6, with the values for the dimensions d, e and
w taken only the minimum ones from Table 3. The maximum values for e and w are for hoop guards only.
Where provided, the anti-climb devices at ladders shall comply with Annex A of EN ISO 14122-4:2016.

Figure 5 — Dimensional parameters for rung ladders and rungs

Figure 6 — Free space around a ladder and hoop guard dimensions
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prEN 13586:2025 (E)
Table 3 — Dimensions for rungs and rung ladders
Dimensions in millimetres
Symbols in accordance with Figures 5 and 6 Type 1 access Type 2 access
min. max. min. max.
...