For everyone working with crane systems or other lifting and hoisting installations, two concepts are unavoidable: NEN standards and occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation. Both play a crucial role in workplace safety, but they are not the same thing — they complement each other in ways that are not always immediately obvious. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the difference between NEN standards and OHS legislation, so that you, as an employer or procurement professional, know exactly where you stand.
What are NEN standards and where do they come from?
NEN standards are technical guidelines and specifications developed by the Royal Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN). They describe how products, processes, or services must be carried out safely and to a high standard of quality. NEN standards are voluntary in principle, but in practice they are widely applied as the recognized benchmark for good workmanship and safety.
NEN works in collaboration with European and international standardization organizations such as CEN and ISO. As a result, many NEN standards are in fact European standards (EN standards) that have been translated and adopted within the Dutch context. They are developed through consultation processes in which manufacturers, users, regulators, and other stakeholders jointly determine the content.
What makes NEN standards particularly significant is that they are not simply a matter of opinion. They represent the collective technical knowledge of an industry and provide concrete guidance on what is considered safe and sound. For crane systems, there are specific NEN standards covering construction, load capacity, electrical installations, and inspection intervals.
What is OHS legislation and what exactly does it regulate?
OHS legislation — formally known as the Working Conditions Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet) — is Dutch legislation that requires employers to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. The law sets statutory requirements for working conditions and places primary responsibility for safety with the employer. Violations of OHS legislation can result in fines or the suspension of operations.
OHS legislation operates on multiple levels:
- The Working Conditions Act: the overarching legal framework containing general obligations for employers and employees.
- The Working Conditions Decree: more specific rules per sector or type of work, including rules governing the use of lifting and hoisting installations.
- The Working Conditions Regulation: even more detailed technical elaborations on specific topics.
OHS legislation therefore prescribes that an employer must ensure safety, but often leaves room for how exactly that safety is achieved. That is precisely where NEN standards come into play.
What is the difference between NEN standards and OHS legislation?
The core difference is that OHS legislation is legally binding and defines the what, while NEN standards are technical guidelines that define the how. The law states that a crane system must be safe; a NEN standard describes the technical specifications the system must meet in order to be considered safe.
A useful way to understand the distinction:
- OHS legislation is a legal obligation. It is binding for every employer in the Netherlands and is enforced by the Netherlands Labour Authority.
- NEN standards are voluntary in principle, but in practice they are regarded as the recognized means of fulfilling statutory requirements. Following a NEN standard generally means the corresponding legal obligation is also met.
Another important difference is scope. OHS legislation applies broadly to all working conditions within a company. NEN standards are specific and product- or process-oriented — for example, focused on the construction of an overhead traveling crane or the annual inspection of a gantry crane.
In practice, the Working Conditions Decree sometimes explicitly references specific NEN standards. At that point, a NEN standard effectively acquires statutory status, because complying with it becomes part of the legal obligation.
Which NEN standards apply specifically to crane systems?
Several NEN standards are relevant to crane systems, depending on the type of crane and its application. The most applicable standards fall under the NEN-EN 13001 series (general design principles for cranes), NEN-EN 15011 (overhead traveling cranes and gantry cranes), and NEN-EN 13157 (manually operated cranes). There are also standards covering electrical equipment, steel structures, and inspections.
Specifically, these standards address topics such as:
- The calculation of structural loads and safety margins.
- Requirements for electrical installations and control systems.
- Requirements for overload protection.
- Inspection intervals and inspection procedures.
- Documentation and marking of the crane, including the maximum working load.
It is important to note that the applicable standards may differ depending on the type of crane system. A jib crane falls under different standards than a gantry crane with a lifting capacity of one hundred tonnes. A specialized party can provide guidance on selecting and applying the correct standards.
When are you as an employer required to comply with NEN standards?
As an employer, you are required to comply with NEN standards as soon as the Working Conditions Decree explicitly references those standards, or when applying a NEN standard is the only practical way to meet a statutory requirement. In practice, this means that working with crane systems that have been built and inspected in accordance with the relevant NEN standards is the baseline the Labour Authority expects.
Furthermore, if an incident occurs and it becomes apparent that the applicable NEN standards were not followed, the employer may find themselves in a difficult legal position. Failing to comply with a recognized standard is quickly interpreted as insufficient due diligence. Conversely, demonstrably complying with NEN standards provides strong legal protection.
From a practical standpoint, every employer working with lifting and hoisting installations would be wise to:
- Identify which NEN standards apply to the crane systems in use.
- Verify that the cranes have been built and certified in accordance with those standards.
- Have annual inspections and assessments carried out by an accredited inspection body.
- Retain documentation and inspection reports carefully.
How BKRS helps with NEN standards and OHS legislation for crane systems
BKRS specializes in designing, building, and inspecting crane systems that fully comply with the applicable NEN standards and OHS legislation. Whether it involves a new custom crane system or the periodic inspection of an existing installation, BKRS offers a complete and reliable process. Here is what you can expect:
- Design and construction in accordance with NEN standards: every crane system is technically developed on the basis of the relevant standards series, including structural calculations and safety margins.
- Complete inspection documentation upon delivery: you receive test reports and certificates that immediately demonstrate your compliance.
- Accredited inspections and annual assessments: as an accredited inspection body, BKRS carries out the legally required periodic inspections in accordance with the applicable standards.
- Advice for custom and complex installations: for non-standard crane systems where standards cannot be directly applied, BKRS actively contributes to determining the right approach.
- A single point of contact for the entire process: from initial design through to periodic maintenance and inspection years down the line.
Want to make sure your crane systems comply with all applicable standards and legislation? Contact BKRS for a no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my crane system does not comply with the applicable NEN standards?
If an inspection or incident reveals that your crane system does not comply with the applicable NEN standards, the Netherlands Labour Authority may impose a fine or suspend operations. You may also find yourself in a difficult legal position, as deviating from recognized standards is quickly interpreted as insufficient due diligence. Always ensure you have up-to-date inspection documentation and have inspections carried out by an accredited body.
How often does my crane system need to be inspected, and by whom?
OHS legislation requires employers to have lifting and hoisting installations periodically inspected — in practice, typically on an annual basis. These inspections must be carried out by an accredited inspection body that conducts the assessment in accordance with the relevant NEN standards. Keep inspection reports carefully, as this documentation is essential in the event of an audit by the Labour Authority.
Do the same NEN standards apply to a custom crane system as to a standard crane?
Not always. Standard NEN standards are not always directly applicable to unique or non-standard crane systems. In such cases, in-depth technical expertise is required to demonstrate that the system meets the spirit and the letter of the regulations. For custom solutions, always engage a specialized party with experience in complex crane systems.
As a procurement professional, what should I look for when purchasing a new crane system?
Always verify that the crane system has been designed and certified in accordance with the relevant NEN standards, such as the NEN-EN 13001 series or NEN-EN 15011. Ask the supplier for complete test reports and inspection documentation upon delivery. A reliable supplier will also offer the option of periodic inspections, ensuring you remain compliant throughout the entire service life of the installation.