Falling object protective structures, FOPS

Falling object protective structures (FOPS) are systems which must be installed in most carriers in order to provide operators with reasonable protection from falling objects during the time they are carrying out the job which the carrier. Such falling objects may be trees, rocks, small concrete blocks, hand tools, etc.

All demolition machines must be fitted with FOPS according to the standard EN 474-1:2007+A6:2020. If FOPS are fitted they shall comply with EN ISO 3449:2008 (Earth-moving machinery – Falling-object protective structures – Laboratory tests and performance requirements). The minimum requirements for FOPS on demolition excavators is to comply with the standard ISO 10262:1998 (Earth-moving machinery – Hydraulic excavators – Laboratory tests and performance requirements for operator protective guards) level II, where FOPS are considered as top guards.

In any case, the FOPS may be integrated into the operator cab structure.

How should they be identified and labelled?

All FOPS must have its correspondent label in accordance with the standard EN ISO 3449:2008 (Earth-moving machinery – Falling-object protective structures – Laboratory tests and performance
requirements).

The label must be permanently attached to the FOPS, located on the place of the structure where it can be easily read and protected from the weather, and its contents must be legible.

The minimum information provided by such label should be the following:

  • Name and address of the manufacturer or constructor of the FOPS
  • FOPS identification number
  • Machine make, model(s), or product identification number(s) the structure is designed to fit
  • International Standard number(s) for which the structure meets all of the performance requirements and the level being met (national regulations may be included)
  • Year of construction for FOPS

Furthermore, when the structure meets the performance requirements for both FOPS and ROPS, the ROPS labelling shall be in accordance with EN ISO 3471, including, at least the information,
such as any other information which the manufacturer considers necessary:

  • Name and address of the manufacturer or constructor of the FOPS
  • Machine make, model(s), or product identification number(s) the structure is designed to fit

What tests, according to EN standards, should they passed?

According to EN and ISO standards, FOPS must be tested for impact. This test procedure is generally destructive as permanent deformation will occur to the structure. Two levels of performance criteria are specified for impact protection, based on the machine end use.

  • Level I: Protection against the impact of a round test object dropped from a height sufficient to develop an energy of 1,365 J
    • Protection against the impact of small objects
    • Test with a sphere of 45kg and 250mm of Ømax
  • Level II: Protection against the impact of a cylindrical test object dropped from a height sufficient to develop an energy of 11,600 J
    • Protection against the impact of heavy objects
    • Test with a cylinder of 227 kg ; 250mm of Ømax ; and 204 Øcontact

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