IS 10704 : 1999

IS0 2867 : 1994

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Indian Standard
EARTH-MOVING

MACHINERY

ACCESS SYSTEMS

( Second Revision )

ICS 53.100

0 BIS 1999

BUREAU

OF

INDIAN

STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG

NEW DELHI 110002

July1999

Price Group 6

Bulk Handling Systems and Equipment Sectional Committee, HMD 07

NATIONAL FOREWORD
This Indian Standard which is identical with IS0 2867 : 1994 Earth-moving machinery - Access
systems issued by the International Organization for Standardization ( IS0 ), was adopted by the
Bureau of Indian Standards on the recommendations ofthe Bulk Handling Systems and Equipment
Sectional Committee and approval of the Heavy Mechanical Engineering Division Council.
This standard was first published in 1983. This ( second ) revision has been carried out to align it
with IS0 2867 : 1994.
The text of IS0 standard has been approved for publication as Indian Standard without deviations.
Certain terminology and conventions are, however, not identical to~those used in Indian Standards.
Attention is particularly drawn to the following:
a) Wherever the words International Standard appear referring to this standard, they should be
read as Indian Standard.
b) Comma ( . ) has been used as a decimal marker while in Indian Standards, the current practice
is to use a full stop ( . ) as the decimal marker.
In the adopted standard, reference appears to certain International Standards for which Indian
Standards also exist. The corresponding Indian Standards which are to be substituted in their place
are listed below along with their degree of equivalence for the editions indicated:
International Standard

Corresponding Indian Standard

Degree of
Equivalence

IS0 3411 : 1995 Earth-moving

machinery - Human physical
dimensions of operators and
minimum
operator
space
envelope

IS 11115 : 1999 Earth-moving machinery

Human physical
dimensions
cf
operators and minimum operator space
envelope ( second revision )

Identical

SO 6165 : 1987 Earth-moving

machinery - Basic types Vocabulary

IS 12138 : 1993 Earth-moving machinery

- Basic types - Vocabulary ( first
revision )

do

In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this standard, if the final
value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with IS 2 : 1960
Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised).

IS 10704 : 1999
IS0 2867 : 1994

Indian Standard
EARTH-MOWN-G MACHINERY

ACCESS SYSTEMS

( Second Revision )
1

Scope

This International Standard specifies criteria for access systems - steps, ladders, walkways, platforms,
grab rails (handrails), grab handles, guardrails and enclosure entrance and exit openings - as they relate
to aiding the operator and servicemen in performing
their functions on the machinery.
It applies to access systems to the operators station
and to service points on earth-moving machinery as
defined in IS0 6165 while the machinery is parked in
accordance with manufacturers instructions.

Normative

3.1 access system: System provided on a machine

for entrance to and exit from an operator, inspection
or maintenance platform from and to the ground.
The primary access system is the access system
normally used, while the alternative access system is
the access route used during anticipated emergency
situations when the primary access system cannot be
used.
3.2 basic dimension: Dimensional value which
takes into account human factors criteria. The actual
value may vary within the specified range.
3.3 enclosure opening: Opening leading to or from
an access system and large enough for a person to
pass through.

references

3.3.1 primary opening: Opening normally used for

access.

The following standards contain provisions which,

through reference in this text, constitute provisions
of this International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards
are subject to revision, and parties to agreements
based on this International Standard are encouraged
to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below.
Members of IEC and IS0 maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.

3.4 guardrail: Device along the open sides of walkways or platforms to protect a person from falling.

IS0 3411: 1982, Earth-moving machinery - Human

physical dimensions of operators and minimum operator space envelope.

3.5 handrail and handhold: Parts of an access

system that may be grasped by the hand as an aid to
body support and balance.

IS0 -6165:1987, Earth-moving machinery types - Vocabulary.

3.5.1 handrail: Device which permits hand movement to a different location without removing the
hand from the device.

Basic

3.3.2 alternative opening: Opening for use during

emergencies when the primary opening is not usable.
3.3.3 service opening: Dpening
maintenance, service or inspection.

3.5.2

handhold:

for use during

Device for single hand placement.

Definitions

For the purposes of this International Standard, the

following definitions apply.

3.6 slip-resistant surface: Access system surface

having qualities which improve the traction obtained
by the foot.

IS 10704 : 1999
IS0 2887 : 1994

3.7

ladder

3.7.1 -inclined ladder: Ladder whose angle of inciination from the horizontal is greater than 50 but not
more than 75.
3.7.2 vertical ladder: Ladder whose angle of inclination from the horizontal is greater than 75, but not
more than 90.

3.15.1 operators platform: Area from which an

operator controls the travel and work functions of the
machine.
3.15.2 rest platform: Platform used in conjunction
with a ladder system for a person to rest on while
standing.
3.18 foot barrier: Device to prevent a persons foot
from slipping off the edge of a platform or walkway.

3.7.3 ladder fall-limiting device: Any ~device which

minimizes or limits the length of fall from a ladder
system.

3.17 tramp: Plane inclined at an angle of 20 or less

from the horizontal, without steps, but with cleats or
other surface treatment for the purpose of traction.

3.8 stairway: Access system or part of an access

system inclined from the horizontal at an angle greater
than 20 but not more than 50 and consisting of four
or more steps.

3.18 cleat: Device added to a walkway or ramp surface to improve traction.

3.9 step: Device for placement of one or both feet,

either as part of a ladder or stairway, or installed
(placed) individually.
3.10 rung: Device on which one or both feet may
be placed, generally installed on ladders or similar
devices.
3.11 riser height: Height between two consecutive
steps or rungs, measured from the tread surface of
one step or rung to the tread surface of the next.

3.19 three-point
support: Feature of an access
system that enables a person to use simultaneously
two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand
while ascending, descending or moving about on the
machine.

General criteria

4.1 An alternative exit is required if the operators

platform is 3 3 m above ground level, and should
preferably be provided if 2 2 m above ground level.

3.12 tread depth: Distance from the leading edge

to the back of the step.

4.2 The probability of a user being inadvertently restrained by protruding devices such as controls, steps
or handles catching or holding body appendages or
wearing apparel shall be minimized.

3.13 stride distance: Horizontal distance from the

leading edge of one step to the leading edge of the
next step.

4.3 Protrusions that could trip the user or increase

the severity of injury in case of a fall shall be minimized.

3.14 walkway: Part of an access system that permits walking or crawling between locations on the
machine.

4.4 The probability of user contact with potential

hazards such as extreme differences in heat or cold,
electrical hazards, moving parts and sharp corners
shall be minimized.

3.14.1 boom walkway: Walkway used mainly on

long booms inclined at angle of up to 20 from the
horizontal.
3.14.2 passageway: Walkway with confining barriers on both sides that extend vertically above the
walking surface to a height of at least 1 200 mm for
erect walking or 300 mm for crawling.
3.15 platform: Horizontal surface for the support of
persons engaged in operation, maintenance, inspection or repair work.

4.5 Access systems shall accommodate the 5th

percentile through the 95th percentile operator dimensions as defined in IS0 3411.
4.6 Correct use of the access system shall be selfevident without special training.
4.7 Proper placement of components shall permit
and encourage a person to use three-point support
while ascending, descending or moving about the access system when more than 1 m above the ground.

IS

IS0

4.8 Primary access system devices may be portable

for convenient storage on the machine but shall be
capable of being positively secured when in use or in
the stored position.
4.9 An alternative exit and travel route shall be provided and shall be clearly indicated if not obvious.

Performance

criteria

10704 : 1999

2887 : 1994

Track shoe and track pad surfaces can be used as

access steps if three-point support is provided.
5.6 Hand-grasp surfaces shall be free of roughness,
sharp corners or protrusions which could cause injury
to the hand.

Steps

5.1 The walking and standing surfaces of access

systems shall withstand without visible permanent
deformation the following minimum forces applied
perpendicular to the surface.

8.1 Steps shall conform to the dimensions given in

figure 1 and table 1. All steps should preferably be
wide enough to accommodate both feet.

a) 2 000 N concentrated through a 125 mm diameter disc applied at any location on the surface;

6.2 Where lateral body movement is necessary

from the top or bottom step of a ladder to the next
stepping surface, the distance between the rung-and
the nearest edge of the bearing surface shall be
within a spherical radius R of 300 mm max. (see figure 1).

b) 4 500 N uniformily distributed per square metre

of surface area or fraction thereof if less than a
square metre.
The forces shall be applied consecutively, but not simultaneously.
5.2 Openings in walkways and platform surfaces
shall not permit the passage of a spherical object of
diameter 2 40 mm. If the floor surface is above a
surface where persons will be walking, standing or
working, the opening shall not permit the passage of
a spherical object of diameter 3 20 mm. Solid- surfaces shall be used when necessary to prevent the
passage of material that could result in personal injury
to a person above or below the surface. For boom
walkways and other similar areas that are used only
for inspection or maintenance, the standing or
stepping surface openings may be increased to twice
the above values.
5.3 Handrails, handholds and guardrails shall be capable of withstanding a minimum force of 1 000 N
applied at any point from any direction without visible
permanent deformation. Flexible devices shall not
deflect under the applied test load more than 80 mm
from their normal undeflected position.
5.4 Machinery enclosure roofs used only for support of personnel during inspection, such as cab and
canopy roofs, may comply only with 5.1 a).
5.5
All surfaces of the access system for e.g. walking. stepping or crawling (including any device or
structural component thereof used as part of an ao
cess system) shall be slip-resistant.

6.3 Steps shall be coordinated with properly positioned handrails and handholds.
6.4 Wherever a foot can protrude through the step
and contact a moving part, a shield shall be provided
between the step and the moving part.
6.5 Step design shall minimize the risk of the foot
slipping laterally off the step.
6.6 The step tread surface shall-not be intended for
use as a handhold.
6.7 Step design shall minimize accumulation of debris and aid in the cleaning of mud and debris from
the shoe sole.
6.8 Step design shall provide the user with natural
foot ~placement, or the steps shall be clearly visible to
the user.
6.9 Flexibly-mounted
series of steps should be
avoided. If used, the steps shall not move more than
80 mm elastically in any plane when a horizontal force
of 1 000 N is applied, centred on the Duter edge of
the leading edge of the first nonswinging step from
the ground. The first step from the ground may be
free-swinging.

IS 10704:1999
IS0 2887:1994

Dimensions

nce

R = spherical radius

Platform

level

Figure

4,

1 -

Steps, ladders and stairways

in millimetres

-IS 10704 : 1999

IS0

Table

1 -

Dimensions

2667 : 1994

of steps, ladders and stairways

Dimensions in millimetres
Dimension

Descrlptlon

Symbol

max.

basic

700

400

230)
-

4002)

300

250

180

min.
A

Height of first step above ground or platform

Riser height
Steps or ladders
Stairways

Step width
for one foot

160

200

for both feet

320

400

19

60

150

-~

190

1303,

200

Rung tread -

Instep clearance

F1

Tread depth:

diameter or width

Steps and ladders

240

Stairways and boom walkways

400

300

F2

Toe clearance (free space behind rungs)

150

200

Stride distance

Tread projection from riser

130
-

Head clearance above step leading to walkway

2 000
-

25

> 2 000

800

600

Step placement)

Maximum retraction of 1 step/stair

105)

Step placement from ladder

300

1) 150 mm from top step of ladder to platform.

2) On track/wheel systems, 500 mm max. from track/step to platform top.
3) 19 mm diameter if width of step is likely subject to impact damage and/or accumulation of debris
and/or mud.
4) See 6.10 or 7.5 for calculation formula.
5) 30 mm for steps which are an integral part of the track frame.
.

6.10 Step placement shall be such that two times

the riser height plus the stride distance shall conform
to the dimensions specified for J in table 1.

Ladders

7.1 Ladder steps shall meet the criteria specified in

clause 6.

7.2 Ladders which extend more than 5-m vertically

above ground level shall be equipped with a ladder
fall-limiting device, preferably of the passive type.
Such a device shall not require continual manipulation
for the user to ascend or descend the ladder.

The lower end of a vertical ladder cage or other

similar device, if used, shall be a maximum of 3 m
above ground or platform level.

7.2.1

7.2.2 The internal surface of a ladder cage on a vertical ladder shall not extend more than 700 mm from
the steps nor shall its internal width be more than
700 mm.
7.3 A rest platform shall be provided at least every
15 m of vertical climb, and preferably at least every
10 m of vertical climb.
7.4 Winding or spiral ladders of vertical height
> 3 m (and preferably those of vertical height > 2 m)
shall be provided -with open-side guardrails.

IS 10704: 1999
IS0 2867 : 1994

7.5 Step -placement shall be such that two times

the riser height plus the stride distance shall conform
to the dimensions specified for J in table 1.

Stairways

8.1 Stairway steps shall meet the criteria specified

in clause 6.
8.2 Steptread depth on stairways shall be equal to
or greater than the riser height. Successive riser
heights and successive step tread depths shall be
uniform.
8.3 Stairways shall be provided with at least one
handrail.
8.4 Stairways with a vertical drop > 3 m (and preferably those with vertical drop > 2 m) shall be provided with guardrails on the open side or sides.

NOTE -

Handrail extension

may be an integral pa&f

Figure 2 -

Handrails and handholds

9.1 Handrails and handholds shall conform with the

dimensions specified in figure 2 and table 2.
9.2 Handrails and handholds shall be appropriately
placed along the access system to provide continuous
support to a moving person and to enable users to
maintain their balance.
9.3 The preferred cross-section of a handrail and
handhold is circular. A square or rectangular crosssection with rounded corners is permissible.
9.4 Any handrail or handhold on which the
handgrasp surface extends beyond the support shall
have a change of shape at the end of the handgrasp
surface to help prevent the hand from slipping off the
end.
9.5 The use of handrails on a ladder system is preferred to handholds. Where handholds are used, their
spacing shall correspond to the step spacing.

or separate from ladder.

Handrails and handholds

IS 10704: 1999
IS0 2867 : 1994

Table 2 -

Dimensions

of handrails

and handholds
Dimensions in millimetres

Dlmenslon

Descrlptlon

Symbol

min.

max.

basic

16)

38

25

Width (diameter or across flats)

Ladder, step or walkway
Stairway and ramp handrails

16

80

50

250

75

Length between bend radii for support legs of handholds

150

Hand clearance to mounting surface

Distance above standing surface

75
-

1 600

900

Vertical distance of handrail continuation above step, platform, stairway or ramp

850

960

900

Offset distance of handrail nor handhold from edge of step

75

200

150

Width between parallel handrails

6002)

4003)

Ladder

460

Stairway and ramp

H

Distance above walkway, passageway, step or stairway step

650

1 400

700
900

1) 19 mm if orientation is vertical.
2) Up to 800 mm maximum when the handrails/handholds are an integral part of ~adoor opening.
3) 600 mm if hip clearance is required.

10 Platforms, passageways,
guardrails and foot barriers

walkways,

10.1 Platforms, passageways, walkways, guardrails

and foot barriers shall conform with dimensions
specified in figure3 and table3.

10.2 A rail shall be placed mid-way between the top

rail of a guardrail and the walkway or platform.

10.3 Platforms and walkways shall be provided with

handholds, handrails or guardrails. Guardrails shall be
provided if the vertical drop from the open side of a

platform or walkway surface is Y 3 m (and preferably

if the vertical drop is > 2 ml.

10.4 Walkways used only for access to maintenance and inspection platforms d 3 m above ground
level may have a minimum width of 230 mm. Maintenance and inspection may be performed from the
walkway if this can be readily performed while maintaining three-point support.

10.5 Where an opening has been provided in a

guardrail, other than to provide access to a ladder or
to steps, a device that meets the requirements
specified in 5.3 shall be provided across the opening.

10.0 Wherever a foot could slip from a walkway or

platform, a foot barrier shall be provided.

IS 10704 : 1999
IS0 2887 : 1994

Figure

Table 3 -

Platforms, walkways and guardrails

3 -

Dimensions of platforms, walkways and guardrails

Dimensions in millimetres

Symbol

min.

max.

basic

Platform

300

600

WalkwSy

300

600

Width

Head clearance
Standing

2000

>2000

-Kneelingtr

1500

>1500

Crawlinglr

1000

>lOOO

1000

1100

1100
100

Guardrail height

Foot barrier height

50

Foot barrier to floor clearance

10

Passageways)

Forward-facing passage of user

550

650

Sideways passage of user

330

450

Users passing from opposite directions

900

1300

1) For inspection and maintenance only.

2) Use basic dimension as minimum for crawling.

-Dimension

Deacdption

IS 10704 : 1999
IS0 2887 : 1994

13

11.2.3 Corner radius of opening - The corners of

the primary and alternative openings shall not infringe
into the opening boundary defined in item #, figure4
and table 4.

Enclosure openings

11.1

Enclosure openings shall conform with the dimensions specified in figure4 and table4.

11.2 Machines which by design require front entrance into or that require step-down into the operators enclosure, such as skid steer loaders, shall as
a minimum comply with the following requirements
when it is not feasible to comply with the dimensions
as specified in figure4 and table4.
11.2.1

11.3 If a rectangular opening is not possible, the

minimum opening area may be reduced to the minimum dimensions indicated in figure 4. Alternatively,
the vertical distance from the floor of the lower (narrower) area of the minimum opening can be increased
from 460 mm to 770 mm max. in conjunction with an
increase in the minimum width from 250 mm to
300 mm.

11.2.2 Alternative opening - Dimensions shall permit passage of a rectangle 380 mm x 550 mm.

11.4 The primary opening shall be accessible directly from the ~access steps or from a platform,
walkway or ground.

Primary opening - Height of opening above

sill shall be 3 875 mm; width of opening shall be
2 550 mm.

Dimensions in millimetres
A

/-

Minimum opening

z
ln

1
i

////////////f//////

Service

Primary

NOTES
1 Changes in shape of the minimum opening do not need to be symmetrical.
2 Dimensions are minimum unless otherwise noted. Taper for head permitted on stand-up cabs only.
RQU?. 4 -

Encburo openings

IS 10704 : 1999
ISO 2887 : 7994

Table 4 -

Dimensions of enclosure openings

Dimension

Description

Symbol

Dimensions in millimetres

min.

max.

basic

450

-680

Sit-down cab

1 300

> 1 300

Stand-up cab

1 800

> 1 800

cab

350

850

>350

Stand-up cab

800

1 000

>800

500

1 500)

900

Prlmrry opening
A

Width

Height

Height of internal door handle from floor

Sitdown

Height of external door handle above standing surface

Aitemative opudng (preferably same size as primary opening)

650

Square

Round (diameter)

600 x 600

>600

> 650

Rectangular

470 x650

> 470 x 650

x 600

Service openings

1)

Width

450

680

Height

760

1 100

Bottom edge to floor

500

250

Corner radius

0.5 H

150

1 700 mm if distance from the ground.

11.5 The door of the enclosure shall be openable

without infringing on the standing position of the person opening it.
11.6 An alternative opening shall be provided in the
enclosure on a surface other than that of the primary
opening.

11.7 The force needed to open or close a hinged

enclosure door or cover should not exceed 135 N.
11.8 An enclosure door that may be left open during machine operation shall be provided with a means
to secure it in the open position.

11.9 Hinged doors shall normally open outward.

Sliding doors shall be designed to prevent hazardous
door movements due to inertial force caused by machine operations.

10

11.10 A minimum
be provided:

of 80 mm hand clearance shall

a) between the outer vertical edge of a hinged donor

-and any fixed object other th_anits door frame, and
b) where required, for opening or removing other
types of enclosure doors or covers.
11.11 Removable enclosure opening covers held in
place by gravity, such as manhole covers, shall be
designed to prevent the possibility of their falling
through the opening.
1132
A removable enclosure opening cover shall
-not exceed 40 kg if required to be lifted a vertical
distance of up to 300 mm, with a decrease in mass
of at least 5 kg for each additional 300 mm or fraction
thereof of required lift height.

IS 10704 : 1999
IS0 2887 : 1994

Annex A
(informative)
Bibliography
[l]

IS0 2860:1992, Earth-moving machinery -

Minimum access dimensions.

11

Bureau of Indian Standards

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development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and attending to
connected matters in the country.
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standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations. Enquiries relating to
copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Ameudments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standardsare also reviewed
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are
needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue
of BIS Handbook and Standards : Monthly Additions.
This Indian Standard has been developed from Dot : No. HMD 07 ( 0495 ).
Amendments Issued Since Publication
Amend No.

Text Affected

Date of Issue

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STANDARDS

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