Lifting Equipment Standards – Mandatory Regulations Every Business Must Know

Lifting equipment standards serve as a crucial foundation for businesses to ensure occupational safety, legal compliance, and efficient equipment operation in factories, logistics warehouses, or construction sites. In reality, many risks and violations do not stem from direct operational errors but often arise from a misunderstanding of the standards and regulations currently applied to lifting equipment.

Many businesses currently confuse recommendations with mandatory regulations, leading to a lack of legal documentation, incorrect application of technical requirements, or difficulties during safety inspections and audits. This is particularly true with the increasing presence of assistive lifting devices and industrial manipulators, where safety standard requirements are becoming stricter and more comprehensive.

In this article, Vietmani will join you in summarising and clarifying the lifting equipment standards currently applied in Vietnam, from the legal framework and mandatory regulations to technical standards and modern safety trends, helping businesses understand correctly and take initiative in safety management.

The Legal Framework Governing Lifting Equipment Standards in Vietnam

In Vietnam, lifting equipment standards are not applied in isolation but exist within a unified legal framework built on risk management and occupational safety principles. Grasping this framework helps businesses clearly understand which equipment requires mandatory compliance, to what extent, and where the legal basis lies when working with inspection units or inspectorates.

Mandatory Laws and Decrees

The highest legal foundation regulating the use of lifting equipment is the Law on Occupational Safety and Health. This Law clearly specifies the responsibilities of employers regarding:

• Ensuring that machinery and equipment with strict occupational safety requirements meet technical standards.
• Organising technical safety inspections before putting equipment into use and throughout operation.
• Only allowing equipment to operate when safety conditions are fully met.

Beneath the Law are guiding Decrees detailing:

• Occupational safety technical inspection activities.
• Conditions for inspection organisations.
• Inspection cycles and forms for lifting equipment.

These documents create a mandatory legal basis, preventing businesses from being "flexible" or applying standards based on intuition.

List of Lifting Equipment Subject to Mandatory Inspection

A critical component of the legal framework is the list of lifting equipment subject to strict occupational safety management. According to current regulations, the following groups must be inspected:

• Cranes of all types (overhead cranes, gantry cranes, semi-gantry cranes, mobile cranes, etc.).
• Electric hoists, manual hoists.
• Electric winches, cargo lifting winches.
• Lifting devices using cable, chain, or cylinder mechanisms to suspend and move loads.

A point businesses often overlook is that certain assistive lifting devices and industrial manipulators, if they possess functions to lift, suspend, and move loads using energy (electricity, compressed air, hydraulics), may still be classified as lifting equipment and subject to this legal framework.

In this article, Vietmani will not delve into definitions or detailed inspection processes but will focus on clarifying the system of regulations and technical standards cited by law, helping businesses understand the essence for accurate practical application.

Distinguishing QCVN and TCVN in Lifting Equipment Standards

When researching lifting equipment standards, many businesses struggle with a seemingly simple point: What is the difference between QCVN and TCVN, and which is mandatory? Misunderstanding the nature of these two systems is a common cause of incorrect standard application, lack of legal documentation, or issues during safety inspections.

QCVN – National Technical Regulation is a document that is mandatory for application. Issued by state management agencies, QCVN stipulates the minimum safety requirements that lifting equipment must meet during manufacture, import, installation, and use in Vietnam. Businesses are not allowed to choose whether or not to apply it; if the equipment falls within the scope of the QCVN, full compliance is mandatory.

Meanwhile, TCVN – National Standard is, in principle, voluntary. TCVN serves as a more detailed technical guide, helping to standardise design, manufacturing, installation, testing, and operation. However, the key point to note is that when a TCVN is cited in a QCVN or related legal documents, that TCVN becomes mandatory.

In the lifting equipment field, this is why TCVN 4244:2005 – despite being named a "standard" – holds very high legal value. This standard is directly cited in QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH, making the requirements for design, manufacturing, load testing, and acceptance in TCVN 4244 the mandatory technical foundation for most lifting equipment.

In summary:

• QCVN answers the question: How safe must the lifting equipment be at a minimum to be permitted for use?
• TCVN answers the question: How should the equipment be designed, manufactured, and tested to achieve that safety level?

Distinguishing clearly between QCVN and TCVN helps businesses approach lifting equipment standards correctly: not just to have "sufficient paperwork," but to build a sustainable safety system aligned with legal requirements and operational reality.

QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH – Mandatory Safety Regulation for Lifting Equipment

Within Vietnam's lifting equipment standard system, QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH plays the role of the highest safety regulation and is mandatory for lifting equipment. This is the direct legal basis for state management agencies, inspection units, and businesses to evaluate whether a lifting device qualifies for safe use.

Scope of Application

QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH applies to most lifting equipment used in industry and construction, including:

• Cranes of all types (mobile cranes, crawler cranes, tyre cranes, tower cranes, pedestal cranes...).
• Overhead cranes, gantry cranes, semi-gantry cranes.
• Electric hoists, manual hoists.
• Electric winches, cargo lifting winches.
• Load-bearing parts and lifting accessories such as hooks, cables, and chains.

The important point businesses need to note is that the scope of QCVN 7 is based on the function of lifting, suspending, and moving loads, not just the equipment name. Therefore, in reality, some assistive lifting devices or industrial manipulators, if they have lifting mechanisms using cables, chains, hydraulics, or compressed air, may still be considered for application under this regulation.

At the same time, QCVN 7 also excludes certain specific equipment, such as forklifts or elevators, as these are governed by separate regulations. Identifying the correct scope of application is the first step to avoid confusion when selecting standards and working with inspection units.

Requirements for Technical Dossiers and Equipment Origin

One of the core contents of QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH is strict requirements regarding technical dossiers and the origin of lifting equipment. According to the regulation, lifting equipment is only allowed to be put into use when there are sufficient documents proving:

• Design and calculations meet safety requirements.
• Structure, materials, and lifting mechanisms are suitable for the working load.
• Clear instructions for operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting are provided.

For domestically produced equipment, dossiers usually include drawings, technical specifications, and durability calculation documents. For imported equipment, especially used equipment, requirements for machine history and technical documentation are even more strictly controlled to eliminate equipment of unknown origin or unsafe conditions.

In reality, there are many cases where equipment is still "operational" but does not meet the dossier requirements under QCVN 7, leading to an inability to pass inspection or a demand to cease use during audits. This shows that QCVN 7 controls not only the current technical state but also the transparency and safety traceability of lifting equipment throughout its lifecycle.

From QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH, more detailed technical standards like TCVN 4244:2005 are cited and become the foundation for evaluating design, manufacturing, load testing, and acceptance in actual operation.

TCVN 4244:2005 – Core Technical Standard for Lifting Equipment

If QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH acts as the "mandatory legal framework," then TCVN 4244:2005 is the core technical foundation to realise those safety requirements in the design, manufacturing, and operation of lifting equipment. This standard is directly cited in QCVN 7, so the technical requirements in TCVN 4244 have mandatory application value for most lifting equipment in Vietnam.

Design Principles and Durability Calculation

TCVN 4244:2005 clearly stipulates design principles to ensure lifting equipment can withstand loads and actual working conditions, not only in a static state but throughout operation. When designing, the manufacturer must fully consider:

• Static loads: The self-weight of the equipment and the rated lifting load.
• Dynamic loads: Forces generated during starting, braking, and changing direction of movement.
• Environmental loads: Especially wind loads for outdoor equipment.
• Special loads: Test loads, impact forces in adverse situations.

In addition to instantaneous load-bearing capacity, the standard also requires an evaluation of fatigue durability for components subject to repetitive loads based on the equipment's working duty. This is crucial for preventing structural cracks or fractures after long-term use—a common cause of serious accidents.

Safety Mechanism Requirements

Besides load-bearing structures, TCVN 4244:2005 pays special attention to the safety mechanisms of lifting equipment. The standard requires equipment to be fully equipped with reliably functioning parts, such as:

• Brakes: Must be fail-safe brakes that automatically engage upon power loss, capable of holding the load under all working conditions.
• Limit switches: Prevent equipment from exceeding allowable limits when lifting, lowering, or moving.
• Overload limiters: Automatically cut off or warn when the load exceeds the allowable level.
• Cables, chains, hooks: Must have safety factors suitable for the working duty and be strictly monitored for wear and deformation.

These requirements ensure that even if an abnormal incident occurs, the equipment maintains a safe state, minimising the risk of dropped loads or loss of control.

Load Testing and Acceptance

An inseparable part of TCVN 4244:2005 is load testing and acceptance of lifting equipment before use. The standard requires equipment to undergo various forms of load testing to verify:

• Durability and rigidity of the structure.
• Stable operation of transmission mechanisms and brakes.
• Safety levels when operating under loads greater than the rated load.

Load testing carries not only technical significance but also serves as a legal basis for assessing whether equipment qualifies for safety. In this article, Vietmani refers to load testing from a technical standard perspective; specific inspection procedures and methods have been detailed by Vietmani in other specialised articles.

In summary, TCVN 4244:2005 is the technical "backbone" of lifting equipment standards in Vietnam. Understanding and correctly applying this standard helps businesses not only meet legal requirements but also build a safe, stable, and sustainable lifting system in the long term.

Standards Applicable to Assistive Lifting Devices and Industrial Manipulators

The development of modern manufacturing has led to the increasing appearance of assistive lifting devices and industrial manipulators. Unlike traditional cranes or hoists, this group of equipment not only "lifts loads" but also directly supports human manipulation, so the applicable standard system has intersections and expansions compared to standard lifting equipment.

Characteristics of Assistive Lifting Devices

Assistive lifting devices (such as pneumatic manipulators, balancers, etc.) feature distinct characteristics:

• The operator interacts directly with the equipment throughout the lifting, moving, and positioning process.
• The equipment often creates a gravity-balancing state, helping the load "float" and move with very little force.
• Rigid arm structures help control trajectory and limit vibration.

Because of this human-machine interaction, applying safety standards cannot stop at load capacity or structural durability but must also control motion, operational force, and unintended behaviour of the equipment.

New TCVNs for Robots and Manipulators

In recent years, Vietnam has issued new TCVNs to standardise robots and industrial manipulators. These standards focus on:

• Standardising how technical specifications (load, reach, precision) are described.
• Ensuring transparency and comparability between equipment from different manufacturers.
• Supporting engineers and businesses in selecting the right equipment for practical applications.

For assistive lifting devices, these TCVNs help clarify the technical capabilities of the manipulator but do not fully cover safety requirements for manual control—where humans always stand within the equipment's working zone.

Why Reference EN 14238?

In practical implementation, to ensure comprehensive safety for assistive lifting devices, many businesses and technical units must reference EN 14238 – a European standard specifically for manually controlled handling devices.

EN 14238 supplements requirements that traditional lifting standards do not fully address, including:

• Limits on the operational force the operator must exert on the equipment.
• Prevention of uncontrolled movement, especially when the load changes suddenly or energy sources are lost.
• Limits on speed and movement inertia ensure the operator always maintains control within the working zone.

For Vietmani, this is a key point when consulting on assistive lifting solutions: equipment needs not only to "meet lifting standards" but also to be safe for humans in every minor operation. Combining QCVN and TCVN requirements with references to EN 14238 helps businesses access a modern safety standard suitable for high-intensity production environments and increasingly strict ergonomic requirements.

ISO 11228 Ergonomic Standards and Modern Safety Trends

In the traditional approach, lifting equipment safety was often simply understood as the equipment being durable enough not to drop loads or collapse. However, in modern production environments, the concept of safety has expanded: safety not just for the equipment, but for the worker's body throughout long-term work. This is why ISO 11228 Ergonomic Standards are gaining attention and being applied alongside lifting equipment standards.

ISO 11228 is a set of international standards on manual handling, focusing on assessing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries arising from lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and repetitive tasks. In the context of many businesses shifting from heavy manual labour to assistive lifting devices, ISO 11228 serves as an important basis for determining when humans should not continue manual work and when technical support solutions are needed.

Regarding lifting and lowering, ISO 11228 provides recommended load limits, considering working posture, frequency, and distance from the body. When these indicators exceed safety thresholds, the use of assistive lifting devices is no longer a choice but a requirement to prevent occupational diseases.

For pushing and pulling tasks, the standard also clearly defines force limits that workers can sustain over time without causing damage to the spine and joints. This is particularly relevant to rail-mounted manipulators or lifting devices, where friction and movement inertia need to be controlled at levels suitable for human capability.

In repetitive tasks with small loads, ISO 11228 highlights the risk of cumulative trauma over time, even if each action is not too heavy. This is why many modern assembly lines prioritise high-sensitivity, fast-response, and low-inertia assistive lifting devices to reduce pressure on the operator's wrists, shoulders, and lower back.

From Vietmani's perspective, modern safety trends no longer stop at "does the equipment meet lifting standards," but solve three factors simultaneously: Legal, Technical, and Human. Combining QCVN and TCVN with Ergonomic standards like ISO 11228 helps businesses build a sustainable, safe working environment, reducing accidents and occupational diseases while improving long-term labour productivity.

Conclusion

It can be seen that lifting equipment standards in Vietnam do not exist as a single document but as a complete system comprising legal frameworks, mandatory regulations, technical standards, and modern human-centric safety standards. Complying with this system helps businesses not only meet legal requirements but also control risks, enhance equipment reliability, and ensure long-term operational efficiency.

From QCVN 7:2012/BLĐTBXH as the mandatory safety regulation to TCVN 4244:2005 as the core technical foundation, and expanding to new standards for assistive lifting devices, industrial manipulators, and ISO 11228 Ergonomics, the general trend is increasingly focusing on total safety, not just for machines but for the operators themselves.

For Vietmani, standards are not barriers but bases for selecting suitable, safe, and sustainable lifting solutions. When businesses correctly understand and apply lifting equipment standards, inspection, operation, and production expansion become more proactive, reducing the risk of disruption and creating a solid foundation for long-term development.

If you need advice on selecting or implementing standard-compliant assistive lifting solutions, Vietmani is ready to accompany your business from the evaluation stage to actual operation.