Overview
ISO 7149:1982 - Continuous handling equipment - Safety code - Special rules - establishes special safety requirements for a wide range of continuous conveyors and related appliances. Published by ISO in 1982, this standard supplements the general safety rules in ISO 1819 and uses the nomenclature in ISO 2148. It covers mobile conveyors (not self‑propelled), belt conveyors, throwing machines, picking and assembly table conveyors, slat and apron conveyors, bucket elevators, scraper and “en masse” conveyors, single‑strand floor truck conveyors, overhead and tray conveyors, screw feeders, live‑roller and vibratory conveyors, chutes, hydraulic and pneumatic continuous handling appliances, light‑weight vertical tray elevators, transfer points and mobile supporting structures.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and field of application: Applies in addition to ISO 1819 general rules and specifies special rules for each conveyor type listed.
- Design (construction) stage: Requirements for guarding, confinement of chains, safety devices to limit collapse of booms, access prevention to hazardous zones, and load/tension device considerations.
- Installation (layout/erection) stage: Rules for sealing casings (e.g., bucket elevators), provision of cleaning doors, protection where material may fall, and conspicuous marking of tracks and moving parts.
- Utilization (operation & maintenance) stage: Operational controls such as wheel chocking for mobile conveyors, disconnecting power before movement, maximum towing speeds (manufacturer‑specified), prohibition of riding on conveyors, routine inspection and maintenance of tension devices, and lock‑off procedures for maintenance.
- Specific limits and protections: Examples cited in the standard include belt speed limits (e.g., 0.3 m/s for certain picking operations), auxiliary operators for belts above a specified width, exemptions for light unit loads (mass thresholds where some devices are not compulsory), and load limiter requirements for single‑strand truck systems.
- Machine guarding and operator safety: Emphasis on continuous guarding, visual/sound warnings, accessible control positioning so operators remain outside hazardous areas, and clear operational instructions.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 7149 is essential for:
- Conveyor and continuous handling equipment designers and manufacturers - to integrate required safety devices and meet regulatory expectations.
- Plant engineers and safety managers - for safe selection, installation, guarding and operation of material handling systems.
- Maintenance teams - for inspection, adjustment and safe servicing procedures.
- Compliance and procurement professionals - to specify accepted safety levels in contracts and risk assessments.
Use this standard when you need detailed, type‑specific safety rules beyond ISO 1819 for conveyors, elevators and continuous bulk‑handling equipment.
Related standards
- ISO 1819 - Continuous mechanical handling equipment - Safety code - General rules (required companion document)
- ISO 2148 - Nomenclature for continuous handling equipment
- ISO 5049‑1 (Part 7) - Mobile continuous bulk handling equipment - rules for the design of structures
Keywords: ISO 7149, conveyor safety, continuous handling equipment, belt conveyors, bucket elevators, machine guarding, ISO 1819, material handling safety.
