Workplace support and enclosure

A workplace support and containment system providing an enclosed work area below and outwardly of both sides of the substructure of an existing bridge, or the like, said system comprising:

• a) a plurality of first cables removably affixed at opposite ends to portions of said bridge to lie in a substantially horizontal, first plane an appropriate distance below said substructure to permit workmen supported at said first plane to perform tasks such as sandblasting, painting, etc. upon said substructure, said plurality of first cables including a pair of outermost cables extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said bridge and spaced from one another by substantially the full lateral width of said bridge and a plurality of intermediate cables between said outermost cables;
• b) a first plurality of outrigger members removably affixed to portions of said bridge to extend outwardly, in horizontally spaced relation to one another, from one lateral side of said bridge;
• c) a second plurality of outrigger members removably affixed to portions of said bridge to extend outwardly, in horizontally spaced relation to one another, from the other lateral side of said bridge;
• d) a load-bearing flooring supported by at least some of said first cables;
• e) an enclosure-forming material extending over said first plane having said outermost cables and between opposite longitudinal ends, each substantially sealed with respect to said bridge substructure, and including side portions supported by said first and second outrigger members and lateral edges substantially sealed with respect to said bridge, whereby said enclosure-forming material and portions of said bridge form an essentially fully enclosed space;
• and
• f) means providing entry and exit of workmen to and from said space.