Overhead suspended items

[Hyrax4978]

I am working on a laundry facility, in which there are overhead suspended bags of laundry that weigh about 250 lbs each. they are on hooks, and would need allot to get them to come unhooked. But i am wondering is there anything in the code about the need to protect someone below from the potential (if ever) chance of something from above falling? I can't see how they could come unhooked and fall, but i figured i would ask if anyone has seen anything related to this. We are going to provide stripping on the slab to direct people down the typical safe walking isles.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[cda]

Sounds like just add a couple of safety cables/straps in case the original restraint fails???

 

[Builder Bob]

Commercial automated laundry system?

 

[RLGA]

Probably more of an OSHA issue than a building code issue.

 

[ICE]

Is there a safety latch on the hook?

https://www.uscargocontrol.com/KWB-...MIiJry-9zF4AIV6B-tBh2Kfg2WEAQYASABEgJQmfD_BwE

https://tulsachain.com/grade-100-al...MIiJry-9zF4AIV6B-tBh2Kfg2WEAQYCSABEgIXhvD_BwE

 

[RLGA]

OSHA may not have a regulation specifically addressing the handling of laundry bags by overhead means, but they do regulate general workplace safety. If there is a probability for worker injury, then the employer is required to take measures to mitigate that probability. There should be no "Let's wait and see what happens" before OSHA is even considered.

 

[ICE]

If this is a conveyor and there is any possible way that the machine can malfunction and drop a 250# bag of laundry, some measure to safeguard against that is required. Be it a safety hook, perhaps cordon the danger zones. I have seen similar processes where the bags were not elevated high enough to have people below them except where people couldn't get to.

 

[Msradell]

I've seen a couple of similar facilities that have a wire mesh grading below where the bags go overhead. That would prevent them from falling and hitting somebody below them but still allow people to observe the movement of the bags. Not sure if that something that was required by code or just good practice.