Metal working platform load limits

[TeresaJo]

I am an Industrial Hygienist, not an engineer, but I am the closest thing my company has to a safety specialist. The PE that I work with asked me what the load limits or specs are for mounted, elevated work platforms. I have looked at several construction and general industry OSHA standards, and I cannot find any requirements for load limits of working platforms. Can anyone help me? Thanks so much.

 

[canwesteng]

There probably isn't a standard but probably there are some design guides. I would think the PE wants to know what other platforms and floors are designed for at your plant, and size his accordingly. This should be on existing structural drawings.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

A common value in heavy industry is 100 lb/ft².

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http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[thaidavid40]

I agree with SRE on the typical 100psf. The ASCE 7-05 lists 60psf as the lower bound for elevated platforms, though I would be very careful when using a value that small. Platforms, and the structures that support them, tend to collect unaccounted-for loads over the years, and the actual loads on the floors themselves will sometimes shock you. If the elevated area is a walkway (catwalk) only, then you can go down to 40psf, but again, be careful about doing so.
Dave

Thaidavid

 

[BUGGAR]

To be clear, these are the load limits for future platforms. The existing platforms may not have been built to any standards, and you don't want to commit on that.