Due to ever stricter safety regulations on projects around the world, Maats Pipeline Equipment decided to develop a ROPS structure for the Komatsu D355C-3 machines in their fleet. To ensure a safe construction, Maats has reviewed all applicable standards. This also to develop a construction that would be suitable for certification.
Maats found that the following standards would be applicable:
- Machine guideline 98/37/EG (from 1-2-2010 this will be the 2006/42/EG)
- European Standard EN 474-1:2006, paragraph 5.3.3.1: Roll-over protective structures (ROPS)
"Earth-moving Machinery shall be equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). The ROPS
shall comply with EN 13510:2000."
- European Standard EN 474-1:2006, paragraph 5.3.3.2: ROPS for derivative machinery "For derivative machinery, the ROPS shall be designed taking into account the operating mass (see
ISO 6016:1998) of the derivative machinery in the heaviest configuration as specified by the
manufacturer."
- European Standard EN 474-9:2006, paragraph 5.2.5: Operator's protection
"EN 474-1:2006, 5.3.3 does not applied for pipelayers."
Conclusion is that according to current standards a ROPS is not obligatory for pipe layers. If however a ROPS would be designed for a pipe layer, the EN 13510:2000, with a reference to the ISO 3471:2006, would be a good starting point.
Furthermore Maats concluded that the current discrepancy between the Standards EN 474-1 and EN 474-9 on one hand and the ISO 3471:2006 on the other hand will, with the introduction of the new European guideline 2006/42 EG (from 01-02-2010) which replaces the current standards EN 474-1 and EN 474-9, result in an obligatory ROPS construction and -test for pipe layers in general. With this conclusion, Maats endorses the conclusion of the "Berufsgenossenschaft Bau" in Munich, Germany.
For this reason, Maats designed a ROPS suitable for testing according to the EN 13510:2000 and ISO 3471:2006. Complying with these standards means that we can supply the ROPS structure with a CE certificate, certified by Lloyds.
Any Komatsu D355C-3 can be fitted with this certified ROPS, please contact us for further information.