Cranes - Requirements for container handling spreaders

This document specifies safety requirements for spreaders used with cranes designed for the purpose of handling freight containers, e.g. those based on ISO 668:2020+A1:2022. The connection between the spreader and the container is by the use of twistlocks that engage into the container’s upper corner castings.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events relevant to container handling spreaders, when it is used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer.
The spreader is interfaced to the crane’s control and safety system.
This document does not cover the following types of spreaders:
-   hand operated spreaders (without external power supply);
-   bottom lift grapple spreaders used for swap bodies and road trailers.
This document does not deal with the lifting of persons.
This document is not applicable to container handling spreaders manufactured before the date of its publication.

Krane - Anforderungen an Spreader zum Umschlag von Containern

Dieses Dokument legt die Sicherheitsanforderungen für die mit Kranen verwendeten Spreader zur Handhabung von Frachtcontainern fest, z. B. die, die auf ISO 668:2020 basieren. Die Verbindung zwischen dem Spreader und dem Container erfolgt durch Drehzapfen, die in die oberen Eckbeschläge des Containers eingreifen.
Dieses Dokument erfasst alle signifikanten Gefährdungen, Gefährdungssituationen oder Gefährdungsereignisse, die für die Spreader beim Umschlag von Containern zutreffen, wenn sie bestimmungsgemäß und unter Bedingungen von durch den Hersteller vernünftigerweise vorhersehbaren Fehlanwendungen verwendet werden.
Der Spreader ist mit dem Steuerungs- und Sicherheitssystem des Krans verbunden.
Die folgenden Spreadertypen werden in diesem Dokument nicht erfasst:
-   handbetriebene Spreader (ohne externe Energieversorgung);
-   Spreader mit Greifzangen, die für Wechselbehälter und Sattelanhänger eingesetzt werden.
In dieses Dokument wird das Heben von Personen nicht behandelt.
Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für Spreader zum Umschlag von Containern, die vor dem Datum seiner Veröffentlichung hergestellt wurden.

Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Exigences pour les spreaders manutentionnant des conteneurs

Le présent document spécifie les exigences de sécurité pour les spreaders utilisés avec les appareils de levage à charge suspendue conçus pour la manutention de conteneurs, par exemple ceux basés sur l’ISO 668:2020. La liaison entre le spreader et le conteneur s'effectue au moyen de verrous rotatifs, lesquels s'engagent dans les pièces de coin supérieures du conteneur.
Le présent document traite tous les phénomènes dangereux, situations dangereuses ou événements dangereux significatifs qui sont pertinents pour les spreaders manutentionnant des conteneurs, lorsqu'ils sont utilisés dans les conditions prévues et dans les conditions de mauvais usage raisonnablement prévisible par le fabricant.
Le spreader est couplé au système de commande et de sécurité de l’appareil de levage à charge suspendue.
Le présent document ne couvre pas les types de spreaders suivants :
-   spreader commandé manuellement (sans alimentation externe) ;
-   spreader à grappin pour levage par le bas, utilisé pour les caisses mobiles et les remorques routières.
Le présent document ne traite pas du levage de personnes.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux spreaders manutentionnant des conteneurs fabriqués avant la date de sa publication.

Žerjavi - Zahteve za kontejnerska prijemala

General Information

Status
Not Published
Publication Date
06-May-2026
Current Stage
4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
Start Date
28-Oct-2025
Due Date
26-May-2026
Completion Date
28-Oct-2025

Relations

Draft
prEN 15056:2025 - BARVE
English language
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Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2025
Dvigala (žerjavi) - Zahteve za kontejnerska prijemala
Cranes - Requirements for container handling spreaders
Krane - Anforderungen an Spreader zum Umschlag von Containern
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Exigences pour les spreaders
manutentionnant des conteneurs
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 15056
ICS:
53.020.20 Dvigala Cranes
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 15056
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2025
ICS 53.020.20 Will supersede EN 15056:2006+A1:2009
English Version
Cranes - Requirements for container handling spreaders
Appareils de levage à charge suspendue - Exigences Krane - Anforderungen an Spreader zum Umschlag von
pour les spreaders manutentionnant des conteneurs Containern
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 15056:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 15056:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions and terminology . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions . 7
3.2 Terminology . 9
4 Safety requirements and/or protective measures . 11
4.1 General. 11
4.1.1 Safety related functions . 11
4.1.2 Suspending (by passing) of safeguarding . 12
4.1.3 Spreader with single point suspension . 12
4.2 Requirement for strength . 12
4.2.1 Structural . 12
4.2.2 Connection to the crane . 13
4.2.3 Telescopic motion . 13
4.3 Twistlock system. 13
4.3.1 General. 13
4.3.2 Twistlock . 13
4.3.3 Mechanical blockading . 14
4.3.4 Landing pins . 14
4.4 Flippers . 14
4.5 Electrical systems . 15
4.5.1 Electrical and control systems . 15
4.5.2 Stop actuators on spreader . 15
4.5.3 Electrical connection to crane . 17
4.5.4 Cableless control . 18
4.5.5 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 18
4.5.6 Communications network . 18
4.6 Hydraulic systems . 18
4.7 Guarding and access . 18
5 Verification of the safety requirements and/or protective measures . 19
5.1 Test loading . 19
5.2 Verification of requirements . 19
6 Information for use . 20
6.1 Marking . 20
6.2 Manuals . 20
6.2.1 General. 20
6.2.2 Instructions on functional testing. 21
6.2.3 Maintenance . 21
6.2.4 Flipper . 21
6.2.5 Overloading the spreader . 21
6.2.6 Instability . 21
6.2.7 Electrical and control systems . 22
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
6.2.8 Multiple lifting operations . 22
6.2.9 Damaged containers or containers out of standard . 22
6.2.10 Inspection . 22
Annex A (informative) List of significant hazards . 23
Annex B (informative) Example of loading specifications . 25
Annex C (informative) Selection of suitable set of crane standards for a given application . 27
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 aimed to be covered . 29
Bibliography . 32
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 15056:2025) 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 15056:2006+A1:2009.
prEN 15056:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
EN 15056:2006+A1:2009:
— updating of reference documents and cross-references;
— revision of grammar and linguistic consistency;
— revision of List of significant hazards and moved it to Annex A;
— revision of Annex ZA and addition of Bibliography;
— revision and update of Clause 2 and Clause 3;
— addition of new sublauses 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.2.3, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 4.5.6 and 4.7;
— revision and update of sublauses 4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2.1, 6.2.7 and
6.2.10;
— revision and update of Table A.1;
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 integral part of this
document.
For relationship with other European standards for cranes, see Annex C.

prEN 15056:2025 (E)
Introduction
This document is a harmonized standard to provide one means for container handling spreaders for
cranes to conform with the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Regulation, as
mentioned in Annex ZA.
This standard 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
standards, 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.
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies safety requirements for spreaders used with cranes designed for the purpose of
handling freight containers, e.g. those based on ISO 668:2020. The connection between the spreader and
the container is by the use of twistlocks that engage into the container’s upper corner castings.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events relevant to
container handling spreaders, when it is used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are
reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer.
The spreader is interfaced to the crane’s control and safety system.
This document does not cover the following types of spreaders:
— hand operated spreaders (without external power supply);
— bottom lift grapple spreaders used for swap bodies and road trailers.
This document does not deal with the lifting of persons.
This document is not applicable to container handling spreaders 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 12077-2:2024, Cranes safety — Requirements for health and safety — Part 2: Limiting and indicating
devices
EN ISO 20607:2019, Safety of machinery — Instruction handbook — General drafting principles (ISO
20607:2019)
EN 13001-1:2015, Cranes — General design — Part 1: General principles and requirements
EN 13001-2:2021, Crane safety — General design — Part 2: Load actions
EN 13001-3-1:2012+A2:2018, Cranes — General Design — Part 3-1: Limit States and proof of competence
of steel structure
EN 13001-3-6:2018+A1:2021, Cranes — General design — Part 3-6: Limit states and proof of competence
of machinery — Hydraulic cylinders
EN 13586:2020, Cranes — Access
EN 13135:2013+A1:2018, Cranes — Safety — Design — Requirements for equipment
prEN 50742:—, Safety of machinery — Protection against corruption

Under preparation on CLC/TC 44X/WG 2. Stage 10.99 realized on 2023-12-13.
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
EN ISO 13849-1:2023, Safety of machinery. Safety-related parts of control systems. Part 1: General
principles for design (ISO 13849-1:2023)
EN ISO 14120:2015, Safety of machinery — Guards — General requirements for the design and
construction of fixed and movable guards (ISO 14120:2015)
EN IEC 61000-6-2:2019, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 6-2: Generic standards — Immunity
standard for industrial environments (IEC 61000-6-2:2016)
EN IEC 61000-6-4:2019, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 6-4: Generic standards — Emission
standard for industrial environments (IEC 61000-6-4:2018)
EN 61000-6-7:2015, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 6-7: Generic standards — Immunity
requirements for equipment intended to perform functions in a safety-related system (functional safety) in
industrial locations (IEC 61000-6-7:2014)
EN 60204-32:2008, Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 32: Requirements for
hoisting machines (IEC 60204-32:2008)
EN 62745:2017, Safety of machinery — Requirements for cableless control systems of machinery
(IEC 62745:2017)
EN ISO 4413:2010, Hydraulic fluid power — General rules and safety requirements for systems and their
components (ISO 4413:2010)
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery — General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk
reduction (ISO 12100:2010)
EN ISO 13850:2015, Safety of machinery — Emergency stop function — Principles for design
(ISO 13850:2015)
ISO 4306-1:2007, Cranes — Vocabulary — Part 1: General
3 Terms, definitions and terminology
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 12100:2010,
ISO 4306-1:2007 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/
3.1.1
mid frame
middle section of a container handling spreader

As impacted by EN 62745:2017/A11:2020.
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
3.1.2
telescopic beam
extending frame of a container handling spreader which slides in and out of the mid frame
3.1.3
end beam
outer end beam of a container handling spreader extending frame
3.1.4
telescopic motion
adjusting the length of the container handling spreader to different container sizes
3.1.5
tare weight
spreader’s own weight in operation
3.1.6
twistlock
rotating locking device for connecting a container handling spreader to a container corner casting
(Figure 3)
3.1.7
mechanical blockading
action of mechanically blocking the twistlock in order to prevent unsafe rotation
3.1.8
single lift operation
lifting one container with one spreader
3.1.9
twin lift operation
lifting two containers with one spreader
3.1.10
expandable twin lift
twin lift operation with the ability to expand or retract two containers from each other
3.1.11
flipper (gather guide)
guidance device to align the spreader to a container which can be moved between the down “in-use”
position and up “not in use” positions manually or by remote control
3.1.12
lock(ed)
twistlocks in corner castings in position which ensure safe lifting of the container
3.1.13
unlock(ed)
twistlocks in corner castings in position which ensure safe removal from the container
3.1.14
land(ed)
spreader landed correctly with all twistlocks in the corner castings
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
3.1.15
landing pin(s)
mechanical device(s) with electrical indication on correct landing of the spreader on the container
3.1.16
headblock
part of the crane to which the spreader(s) is(are) attached
3.1.17
headblock connection
connection between the spreader and the headblock
3.1.18
twin unit
additional twistlock housings and mechanism fitted to a container handling spreader that enables it to
perform twin lift operations
3.1.19
freight container
article of transport equipment:
a) of a permanent character and accordingly strong enough to be suitable for repeated use;
b) designed to facilitate the carriage of goods by one or more modes of transport, without intermediate
reloading;
c) fitted with devices permitting its ready handling, particularly its transfer from one mode of transport
to another;
d) designed so as to be easy to fill and empty;
e) having an internal volume of 1 m (35,3ft3) or more
Note 1 to entry: The term "freight container" does not include vehicles or conventional packing.
[SOURCE: ISO 668:2020 and ISO 668:2020/Amd1:2022, 3.1]
3.2 Terminology
The terms that are used in this standard for the main parts of a spreader are indicated in Figure 1. The
fine positioning movements are shown in Figure 2.
NOTE In the Figure 1 the headblock design is for reference only and varies based on application.
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
Key
1 mid frame 5 end beam
2 headblock connection 6 flipper
3 headblock 7 twistlock
4 telescopic beam 8 expandable twin lift
9 twin unit
Figure 1 — Main parts of a spreader
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
Key
1 trim
2 tilt / list
3 skew
Figure 2 — Fine positioning movements of the spreader
4 Safety requirements and/or protective measures
4.1 General
The spreader shall comply with the safety requirements and/or protective measures of this clause. In
addition, the spreader shall be designed according to the principles of EN ISO 12100:2010 for relevant
but not significant hazards, which are not dealt with by this document.
4.1.1 Safety related functions
All safety related functions of control systems shall fulfil requirements of EN ISO 13849-1:2023 in the
following way:
— control circuits built with electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic components shall fulfil
Performance Level c and category 1;
— control circuits built with electronic or programmable components, respectively, shall fulfil
Performance Level c and category 2.
NOTE For spreaders in high-risk applications, as specified in 5.9 of EN 13135:2013+A1:2018 and EN 13001-
2:2021, a higher performance level can be required.
Container handling spreaders shall include the following safety related functions:
— detection of spreader twist lock condition “locked” and “unlocked” and prevention of lifting when
twist lock positions are not equal in all twistlocks;
— detection of landing of spreader on the container and prevention of the rotation of the twistlock when
the spreader is not in the landed condition.
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
4.1.2 Suspending (by passing) of safeguarding
Suspending a safety function or protective measure may be temporarily applied for setting, testing,
maintenance and emergency purposes.
The provisions specified in EN 60204-32:2008, 9.2.4 shall apply.
Where means for temporary suspension of safeguarding is provided, the device for suspending shall be
located inside an enclosure, access to which requires special tools, or other device not available for
normal operation, such as a key-operated switch, shall be provided.
4.1.3 Spreader with single point suspension
Spreaders with single point suspension shall have a possibility to horizontal shift to avoid loss of stability
and avoid inclination of spreader and container.
4.2 Requirement for strength
4.2.1 Structural
Container handling spreader shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent failure from
fatigue and wear, taking due account of their intended use and any reasonably foreseeable misuse.
Structural failure as a cause of dropping the load shall be prevented by design of the load carrying
elements in accordance with EN 13001-1:2015, EN 13001-2:2021 and EN 13001-3-1:2012+A2:2018.
NOTE EN 13001 series is based on nominal stress method. More accurate alternative methods, such as finite
element analysis or strain gauge measurements, can be used in case of localized stress concentrations.
When designing the spreader, the effect of various loading and container length shall be taken into
account.
The spreader shall be designed in accordance with the following parameters, which shall be specified:
— container type(s) to lift;
— maximum load;
— dynamic coefficient when hoisting the load;
— load spectrum;
— number of lifting cycles;
— degree of unevenly loaded containers;
— maximum operating position deviation from horizontal level, e.g. trim, list/tilt (Figure 2);
— the description of the intended use of the spreader (see EN 13001-1:2015, 4.3.2 and Figure B.1 in
Annex B of this document) including features e.g. micro motion, skew (Figure 2).
If no other specifications for loading is available, the assumptions of loading given in Annex B shall be
used.
prEN 15056:2025 (E)
4.2.2 Connection to the crane
The mechanical connection system between sheaves or head block and spreader shall have a manual
positive locking device (e.g. a pin thru holes secured by a retained socket) or a powered locking device
with electrical indication of connection. Electrical indication shall be placed on the spreader when the
connecting action is done from the spreader.
4.2.3 Telescopic motion
Proof of competence of hydraulic cylinders shall be in accordance with EN 13001-3-6:2018+A1:2021.
For other components, the load effects and required life (number of cycles) shall be derived from the
service and load conditions mentioned in 4.2.1 and they shall not exceed the specified limit states.
NOTE For information regarding bearings, see EN 13001-3-4:2018.
4.3 Twistlock system
4.3.1 General
The spreader condition “landed” shall be indicated. Landing indication means that all twistlocks are in
the correct position in the corner castings.
The spreader twistlock condition locked and unlocked shall be indicated. Locked and unlocked indication
means that all twistlocks are in the indicated position. This is achieved by indicators at each twistlock or
by indicators on the mechanical connection between the twistlocks. The mechanical connection shall
ensure simultaneous movement of the connected twistlocks.
4.3.2 Twistlock
Geometrical tolerance
...

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