What is BS EN 1501‑2 about?
BS EN 1501‑2 is the second part of the multi-series standard that deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to the side loaded RCV, when it's used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer, throughout its foreseeable lifetime, as defined in Clause 4.
BS EN 1501‑2 is applicable to the design and construction of the side loaded RCV so as to ensure that it is fit for its intended function and can be operated, cleaned (including unblocking), adjusted and maintained during its entire lifetime. It’s not applicable to the end of life of the side loaded RCV. BS EN 1501‑2 also applies to compactors, operated on a truck for collecting purposes.
BS EN 1501‑2 describes and defines the safety requirements of side loaded RCV excluding the interface with the lifting device(s),the lifting device and the loader cranes, which could be mounted on the RCV.
Note-BS EN 1501‑2 isn’t applicable to:
- Operation in severe conditions, e.g., extreme environmental conditions such as:
- Below −20 °c and above +40 °c temperatures
- Tropical environment
- Wind velocity in excess of 75 km/h
- Contaminating environment
- Corrosive environment
- Operation in potentially explosive atmospheres
- Handling of loads the nature of which could lead to dangerous situations (e.g., hot refuses, acids and bases, radioactive materials, contaminated refuse, especially fragile loads, explosives)
- Operation on ships
BS EN 1501‑2 isn’t applicable to machinery which is manufactured before the date of publication of BS EN 1501‑2 by CEN.
Who is BS EN 1501‑2 for?
BS EN 1501‑2 on side loaded refuse collection vehicles general requirements and safety requirements is applicable to:
- Designers, manufacturers, suppliers and users of sideloaded RCVs
- Machine manufacturers
- Health and safety bodies
- Maintenance service provides
- Machine users
- Consumers
Why should you use BS EN 1501‑2?
Side loaded RCVs carry all types of garbage, waste and hazardous material. They go through a lot of abuse throughout their lifetime. So, proper maintenance and functioning of RCVs is necessary.
BS EN 1501‑2 lays out and deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to the side loaded RCV, when it’s used as intended and under conditions of misuse. This will help you in the maintenance of the side loaded RCV.
BS EN 1501‑2 provides safety requirements which when followed properly will help you avoid accidents and improve the safety of the side loaded RCV.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 1501‑2:2021 supersedes BS EN 1501‑2:2005+A1:2009, which is withdrawn.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are listed below:
- The document has been completely revised and restructured
- European foreword and Introduction have been updated
- Clause 1, Scope, has been slightly revised and clarified
- Clause 2, Normative references, have been updated in Clause 3, new terms and definitions have been added and others revised
- Table 1 has been updated
- Table 2 “Basic scenarios and applicable danger zones” and a completely new Annex C with multiple figures of danger zones has been added

