This document specifies safety requirements for spreaders used with cranes designed for the purpose of handling freight containers, e.g. those based on ISO 668:2020+A1:2022. The connection between the spreader and the container is by the use of twistlocks that engage into the container’s upper corner castings.

This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events relevant to container handling spreaders, when it is used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer.

The spreader is interfaced to the crane’s control and safety system.

This document does not cover the following types of spreaders:

- hand operated spreaders (without external power supply);

- bottom lift grapple spreaders used for swap bodies and road trailers.

This document does not deal with the lifting of persons.

This document is not applicable to container handling spreaders manufactured before the date of its publication.