DGUV Regulation 52

DGUV Regulation 52 is the German accident prevention regulation “Cranes”, formerly known as BGV D6. It defines cranes as lifting equipment that lifts loads with a load-bearing medium and can additionally move them in one or more directions.

This draws the line for handling technology: a chain hoist on a fixed suspension point only lifts – it falls under DGUV Regulation 54. The same chain hoist on a slewing jib or a crane runway can also travel with the load; the installation is a crane.

The regulation is divided into requirements for construction and equipment, for inspection and for operation. Operation includes who may drive a crane: the employer assigns persons who are suitable, instructed in operating the crane and reliable, and who have demonstrated their competence.

Operation also includes duties of the crane operator – such as checking the safety devices at the start of work, the ban on carrying loads over people and the ban on side pull.

Cranes are inspected before first use and after substantial modifications. Periodically they are to be inspected as required by the conditions of use, but at least once a year. For certain types of crane the rules require an authorised inspection expert; otherwise a competent person suffices.

The results are entered in an inspection logbook. It accompanies the crane throughout its service life and has to be produced at inspections and audits.

The Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) is state law and applies to all work equipment. It requires the risk assessment, the setting of inspection intervals and inspection by competent persons; for certain cranes it contains specific inspection requirements in an annex. DGUV Regulation 52 is law of the statutory accident insurers and specifies the requirements for cranes.

For the operator this means: both have to be observed. To satisfy both sets of rules where they overlap, follow the stricter requirement.

In practice, classification is often made by size rather than by function.