{"id":29648,"date":"2026-03-30T07:58:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T06:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/work-equipment-legislation\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T09:16:27","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T08:16:27","slug":"work-equipment-legislation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/work-equipment-legislation\/","title":{"rendered":"Work equipment legislation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f5f5f5\">When using lifting equipment, legal requirements apply to ensure that the equipment can be used safely throughout its entire service life. These obligations arise from European and Dutch legislation and are aimed not at the manufacturer, but at the person who uses or makes the equipment available. <br><br>On this page, you can read which rules apply: from the European Work Equipment Directive to the Working Conditions Act and the Working Conditions Decree. This makes clear what is expected of employers, owners and users in order to use, maintain and inspect lifting equipment safely. <\/p><div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Work Equipment Directive (89\/655\/EEC)<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where the Machinery Directive is aimed at manufacturers and importers, the <strong>Work Equipment Directive<\/strong> is aimed at the person who uses the machinery or is responsible for its safe use. In practice, this is almost always the employer or owner of the work equipment. <\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">This Directive:<\/h4><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>regulates the safe use of work equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>places responsibilities on the employer\/user<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>requires instruction, supervision, inspection and maintenance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>helps ensure that machinery continues to operate safely throughout its entire service life<br><\/li>\n<\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Directive was introduced to ensure that all European Member States maintain an equivalent level of safety protection. This means that countries are required to establish national rules governing the safe use, periodic inspection and appropriate maintenance of work equipment. <\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The obligations arising from this Directive lie with the employer or owner. Among other things, they must: <\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ensure that work equipment is safe and suitable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>supervise its correct and safe use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>instruct and train users<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ensure that maintenance and periodic inspections are carried out<br><\/li>\n<\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Work Equipment Directive therefore forms the basis for national legislation and regulations relating to the safe use of machinery and equipment in the workplace.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-kraan-regels-keurmerk.jpg\" alt=\"regulations-and-certification-marks\" class=\"wp-image-2868\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-kraan-regels-keurmerk.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-kraan-regels-keurmerk-800x401.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-kraan-regels-keurmerk-768x385.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-kraan-regels-keurmerk-500x251.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzIDIiPjwvc3ZnPg==\" alt=\"regulations-and-certification-marks\" class=\"wp-image-2868 lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-kraan-regels-keurmerk.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-keurmeester-takel.jpg\" alt=\"crane-inspectors\" class=\"wp-image-2884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-keurmeester-takel.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-keurmeester-takel-800x401.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-keurmeester-takel-768x385.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-keurmeester-takel-500x251.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzIDIiPjwvc3ZnPg==\" alt=\"crane-inspectors\" class=\"wp-image-2884 lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-NIEUWS-keurmeester-takel.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-WEB-NIEUWS-2017-07-SWP-scherp.jpg\" alt=\"crane\" class=\"wp-image-2889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-WEB-NIEUWS-2017-07-SWP-scherp.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-WEB-NIEUWS-2017-07-SWP-scherp-800x401.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-WEB-NIEUWS-2017-07-SWP-scherp-768x385.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-WEB-NIEUWS-2017-07-SWP-scherp-500x251.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzIDIiPjwvc3ZnPg==\" alt=\"crane\" class=\"wp-image-2889 lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/EKH-WEB-NIEUWS-2017-07-SWP-scherp.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Dutch legislation on safe and healthy working<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.1 Working Conditions Act<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Working Conditions Act<\/strong> forms the foundation of the Dutch occupational health and safety system.<br>This framework legislation sets out the general obligations applicable to all situations in which work is carried out &mdash; including within associations, foundations and occasional work.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As it is framework legislation, it does not contain detailed requirements. Instead, the Working Conditions Act refers to the <strong>Working Conditions Decree <\/strong>and the <strong>Working Conditions Regulation<\/strong>, in which specific obligations are further elaborated. The full and current text of the Working Conditions Act can be found on the Dutch Government website.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.2 Working Conditions Decree<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Working Conditions Decree <\/strong>is a practical elaboration of the Working Conditions Act.<br>It sets out the rules and obligations that both employers and employees must follow in order to prevent or reduce occupational risks. These rules are legally binding. <\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>minimum requirements of the European Work Equipment Directive <\/strong>have been incorporated into the Working Conditions Decree. This means that all work equipment in the Netherlands must comply with these requirements, both when it is acquired and during its use. <\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For lifting equipment, the following provisions are particularly relevant:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Articles 7.2 and 7.3<\/strong> &rarr; requirements for the acquisition and making available of work equipment<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Articles 7.4a, 7.18, 7.18a, 7.20 and 7.29<\/strong> &rarr; use, risk reduction, maintenance and inspection.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, the Working Conditions Decree contains supplementary or different rules for specific sectors and categories of workers. The full text is also available on the Dutch Government website. <\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These rules explain what is required to use, maintain and make lifting equipment available safely in daily practice. Together, these obligations form the next part of the machinery safety legislation: the Machinery Directive governs the safe placing of machinery on the market.   <\/p><div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions about work equipment legislation<\/h2><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you have any questions or would you like assistance with implementation? EKH and one of our affiliated members are ready to help.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/contact\/\" class=\"btn btn-primary\">Contact us<\/a><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When using lifting equipment, legal requirements apply to ensure that the equipment can be used safely throughout its entire service [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1982,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Work equipment legislation - EKH","_seopress_titles_desc":"From the Work Equipment Directive to the Working Conditions Act and Working Conditions Decree. Discover your obligations for the safe use, maintenance and inspection of lifting equipment.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29648","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29648"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33874,"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29648\/revisions\/33874"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ekh.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}