As of January 1, 2022, the rules regarding the use of man baskets have been adjusted

As of January 1, 2022, the rules regarding the use of man baskets and work platforms have been adjusted on 2 important points.

The announcement of this was published in the Government Gazette on December 23.
See https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-2021-645.html for more information.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) has decided to implement the following amendments to Article 7.23d:
- The abolition of the obligation to deploy a certified core expert (HVK'er).
- The adjustment of the maximum wind speed from 7 m/s to 13.8 m/s.

Article 7.23d will be amended as follows as of January 2022:

The third paragraph will read as follows:

It is prohibited to commence the activities referred to in the second paragraph before:

a. a written work plan has been drawn up by the employer, which specifies at least:
i. the justification why no suitable work equipment designed for the transport of persons is available for the hard-to-reach places, or that their use, given the existing environmental factors, will lead to an unsafe situation;
ii. the justification why there are no other work methods by which those places can be safely reached given the existing environmental factors; and

b. it has also been assessed, elaborated, and documented in the work plan how, at the location where the work will take place, those activities will be performed safely.

The tenth paragraph, sub-paragraph d, will read as follows:
d. the wind speed, measured at the highest point of the lifting equipment, does not exceed 13.8 m/s and is also not higher than the wind speeds permissible for the lifting equipment in normal operation.

What does this amendment mean:

The most important amendment is the abolition of the mandatory deployment of a certified higher safety expert for the assessment and approval of the work plan.

With this amendment, the employer/client is offered the opportunity to use other experts available in their company or industry. By giving the employer the freedom to choose who they wish to engage, they can utilize experts with specific expertise in this field.

Every employer must still make a thorough assessment (and work plan) for the use of a man basket suspended from a crane. The primary consideration is that the use of a man basket is justified when it is the safest working method (with the lowest risks to employees' health) in the specific situation, or when the use of other means cannot reasonably be required.

Source: Vertical Transport Association

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