There are 29 OSHA-approved State Plans operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. 29 – Fall protection systems and falling object protection-criteria and practices. Stair railing height requirements are derived from handrail code—a model building code that communities can adopt and adapt as needed. 501 ), any worker constructing a leading edge 6 feet or more above a lower level “must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Note that the requirements for top rail height of guardrails on supported scaffolds have been changed from 36 to 45 inches to between 38 to 45 inches. 2m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following guardrail systems; safety net systems; or. Sets forth safety requirements for areas where danger exists of persons or objects falling through floor or. (3) If ramps change direction at landings, the minimum landing size shall be 60 in by 60 in (1525 mm by 1525 mm). 23 & 1926. 1917. 502(d) and the requirements of the scaffold standard are met. Federal OSHA says the height of the top rail can be between 39 and 45 inches, while Cal-OSHA does not permit top rails to be so low. the system meets the guardrail. Curbs or bull rails installed after October 3, 1983, shall be at least 10 inches (25. Any vertical intermediate members (EX. As indicated in Question and Answer #50 of OSHA's compliance directive CPL 2-1. Your Guardrail Compliance Checklist. This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. We apologize for the long delay in providing this response. Field Information Memorandum #75-40, June 2, 1975, Subject: Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes - General Industry (copy enclosed) covers situations where. Guardrail systems. 29 (k) includes standards for “protection from falling objects”. We will now cover some additional areas. Ref: Scaffold Guardrail height;. GPO Source: e-CFR. 20210. External ISPE. Retraining Employers must retrain employees when inadequacies are observed, changes in worksite conditions occur or when it is believed that an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe work involving the erection, use or dismantling of the scaffold. NFPANVIDIA made NeMo Guardrails — the product of several years’ research — open source to contribute to the developer community’s tremendous energy and work on. 1052(c)(7) Dear Mr. According to the IBC code, guard rails are required when there is a difference of 30 inches or greater between two upper and lower surfaces. The section of the OSHA code that specifies most of the primary guardrail and handrails as it directly relates to safety railing is 1910. OSHA addressed ten issues, most of which have been raised by interested parties who believe that alternatives to some of the existing fall protection rule's provisions should be permitted. 112 (a) (1) Vehicle curbs, bull rails, or other effective barriers at least six inches (15. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. (link is external) Summary Report of 2021 MASH Virtual Roundtables. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), as long as the guardrail system meets all other criteria. 1052(c)(6) and 1926. . OSHA Guardrail Requirements for Leading Edges. 1910. Guardrail systems should consist of a top and intermediate rail. Scope . This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. [Note: for this section, the criteria and practices requirements for guardrail systems on scaffolds are contained in 29 CFR part 1926, Subpart L or 29 CFR 1915. (1. The criteria and practices requirements for guardrail systems on scaffolds are contained in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L. In the diagram below, you can see the side profile of two different types of guardrails: The first option shows a guardrail. The space between the inside of the handrail and the wall or any other obstruction must be at least 1-1/2”. 355. Top rail at 42” to 45” and a midrail. " The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: (13) (i) Has a self-closing gate that slides or swings away from the hole, and is equipped with a top rail. Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions: – 1926. (ii) When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail, safety net, or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs, the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926. 451, . Specifically, we will consider the use of certain physical barriers that fail to meet the criteria for a. According to OSHA: When workers installing solar panels are exposed to fall distances of six feet or more, they need to be. 29(b)(2)(iii) Post navigation. Requirements for suspension scaffold fall protection systems are contained in § 1910. Guardrail Fall Protection Criteria. 1-2007, Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access; Workplace, Floor, Wall and Roof Openings; Stairs and Guardrail Systems; ANSI/ASSE Z359. 71 (d) (2) All vertical and horizontal members shall be fastened together with a coupler or locking device which will form a positive connection. 1917. The CSA Standard Z797-18 Code of practice for access scaffold also provides minimum load bearing and height requirements for guardrails and toe boards. e. OSHA addresses the fall protection to be provided to employees on self-propelled scissor-lifts through the application of the general duty clause (section 5 (a) (1)) of the OSH Act) because the OSHA standards do not cover such equipment. 1926. Not understanding how they are different can lead to being out of compliance and possible heavy fines. Details1. 29(b) and its subparts. 1The present Standard, 29 CFR 1910. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard at 29 CFR 1926. Particular industries require certain specifications on safety railing systems. Our parapet guardrail is designed to exceed OSHA requirements to ensure you and your employees are safe when working on the roof. OSHA published a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment in November 2016 that updated requirements for slip, trip, and fall hazards. 5". [29 CFR 1926. Any part of a scaffold that has been damaged or weakened so that it no longer meets OSHA strength requirements must either be repaired, replaced, braced,. Since that time, OSHA has received many questions and requests for interpretation of the requirements for handrails and stair rail systems. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. in any direction per OSHA 1910. gov. TO: ALL AREA DIRECTORS Paragraph 1926. The Safety Boot guardrail system is designed for this specific purpose, and when paired with the material listed above and properly fastened to the substrate, this bracket system makes it very easy to meets the OSHA requirements. The EDGE 360 mobile safety railing is completely non-penetrating roof guardrail system and has been independently certified and tested to meet all OSHA Fall Protection regulations and standards for guardrail, sections 1910. OSHA is therefore proposing to clarify that the top rail of stair rail systems installed prior to January 17, 2017, can serve as a handrail if that top rail is 30 to 38 inches in height and meets the other handrail requirements of paragraph (f). 502(b)(6) requires that guardrail components have smooth surfaces to prevent snagging of clothing and injuries from lacerations and punctures. Handrails must be placed between 34″ and 38″ in height, measuring from the nosing of the stair. Occupational Safety and Health Standards; Subpart: 1910 Subpart D; Subpart Title: Walking-Working Surfaces; Standard Number: 1910 Subpart D Title:. Zhang@dot. For more information, visit or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. 5 inches for stands with a top height of 4 feet or more, 36 inches for stands with a top. 2 cm) in height from the tread surface at the riser face. 1910. Commercial buildings generally require handrails when stairs have four or more risers, are over 44 inches in height, or are over 88 inches in width. Minimum width of 22”. Guardrail systems used at hoist areas: A removable guardrail section, consisting of a top rail and midrail, must be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when the hoist is not being America's Safest Companies. Top rails capable of withstanding 200 pounds of. Dear Mr. 502(k) and training that meets the requirements of 29 CFR. "The employer must ensure each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1. See 29 CFR 1926. Maximum 12′-7″ vertical height (rise) for a flight of stairs. ) Floor opening – An opening 12 inches or more in its least dimension in any floor, roof or platform, through which a person, material or tool. 9 (1) A fixed ladder installed after the day of the coming into force of this section shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the requirements of ANSI Standard A14. (1) For wood railings: Wood components shall be minimum 1500 lb-ft/in2 fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber; (2) For pipe railings: posts, top rails, and intermediate. 23(e)(3)(ii), only refer to the spacing of posts within. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. • General Industry — 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart D (1910. Safety Railing and Guardrail Systems. OSHA; Standards; Enforcement; Topics; Media Center; Contact Us; U. ) from the surface of the walking area. Open-sided dock areas 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level where there is the danger of employee falling shall be guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent. 760 (c) (2) Access to a CDZ shall be limited to only those employees engaged in leading edge work. You will still be OSHA compliant without safety harnesses if the guardrail is adequate, but we recommend using them when: The scissor lift work platform is higher than six feet; wearing a harness is part of the scissor lift manufacturer’s instructions; and. OSHA standards set minimum safety and health requirements; they do not prohibit employers from adopting more stringent requirements. Floor covers . 0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system,. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: (13)(i) Has a self-closing gate that slides or swings away from the hole, and is equipped with a top rail and mid-rail, or equivalent. 451(a)(5) is acceptable provided it meets the following guidelines: OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. This includes the top of retaining walls over 4 feet in height. It also must be able to withstand 50lbs being. IRC 2003 1-1/2 inch (38mm) minimum between wall and the handrail. On outside plaza, patio, and garden areas, alternate means of protection are acceptable if the same degree of safety is provided. 26 (b) (1) Dockboards put into initial service on or after January 17, 2017 are designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent transfer vehicles from running off the dockboard edge; 1910. The best case scenario, if a car is careening off the road, would be for that car to come to rest unhindered. Any working surface 4 feet or higher must be protected with guardrails on all sides at least 42" tall and have to withstand 200 pounds of force. 71 (j) (1) and (2), unless the nature of the work in progress or the physical conditions prohibit the use. C. According to OSHA’s construction fall protection standard ( 29 CFR 1926. Wherever guardrail protection is required, the following standards shall be adhered to except that other types and arrangements of guardrail construction will be acceptable where the height, surface and end projection of the top rail complies with the standard specifications and the closure of the vertical area between the top rail and floor, platform,. Plastic ladders: ANSI A14. With both standards, OSHA deems guardrail compliant under the following conditions: Vertical height of 42 inches. balusters) can be a maximum of 19 inches apart. ) 1926. Here’s a quick overview. In addition, if the guardrail has intermediate vertical members (uprights between the top and bottom rails), the gaps should be no more than 19 inches (see 1910. Therefore let us recap on the residential stair code requirements: Minimum 36 inch clear width for stairway. 6. Slope between 30° and 50° from the horizontal. 25 inches in diameter or 0. In these situations, OSHA believes guardrail systems offer the appropriate level of fall protection and the record supports this conclusion. In 2017, OSHA updated its requirements, clarifying what employers and construction workers need to do to adhere to safety standards on the construction site. 28 includes unprotected sides and edges. 502 (b) (1) Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, shall be 42 inches (1. The area shall be of a size to accommodate not less than 5 square feet (0. To meet OSHA’s guardrail height requirements, the top rail needs to be 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches above the walking-working surface. OSHA published a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment in November 2016 that updated requirements for slip, trip and fall hazards. The governing requirement for the guarding of ladderway floor openings and platforms is paragraph 1910. 1. OSHA requirements for standard stairs. l-l989, Safety Requirements for Floor and Wall Openings and (non-residential) Stair and Railing Systems. Common shapes are flat, rounded edge, and tubular in horizontal railings, whereas tetraform spear-headed or ball. The scaffolding fall protection requirements are located in §1926. 502(b), including the top rail height requirement in §1926. 451 (b) (3) (ii) The maximum distance from the face for plastering and lathing operations shall be 18 inches (46 cm). (Fall protection is not required. Handrail Height. Use only ladders that comply with OSHA design standards. 451(g). Department of Labor. The agency’s standard on walking-working surfaces for general industry (1910 Subpart D) was developed to help prevent dangerous falls from height or slips and trips on the same level (working surface). OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. GUARDRAIL 101. Use a non-penetrating guardrail that doesn’t mount to any structure on your building. 555 (a) (2) If the operator's station is at a remote point. 1926. 23(e)(2) A stair railing shall be of construction similar to a standard railing, but the vertical height shall be not more than 34 inches nor less than 30 inches from an upper surface of top rail to the surface of tread in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread. 451 (a) (5), states that, "Guardrails shall be 2 x 4 inches or the equivalent, approximately 42. Here are some basic pieces of information to bear in mind when constructing a handrail to comply with OSHA Standards. Kee Gate's spring-loaded self-closing hinge ensures that the gate will automatically close, maintaining a constant safety barrier between the user and the hazard. If the guardrail is unable to bear the minimum structural load, it could break due to the applied forces, resulting in a tragic accident. Equivalent means alternative designs, materials, or methods that the employer can demonstrate will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for employees. OSHA’s fall protection and guardrail requirements along with the International Building Code (IBC) are standards all builders, contractors and construction workers should follow. 452(x)(9) 1926. Previous OSHA regulations fell short of addressing many operations in which. This is why roof safety rails are so important. The upper edge of the guardrails shall be no less than 5 inches above the top surface of the mattress. 452, . This is a summary of the requirements from Oregon OSHA’s general industry, walking-working surfaces rules . Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Under §1910. Occupational Safety and Health Standards; Subpart: 1910 Subpart D; Subpart Title: Walking-Working Surfaces; Standard Number: 1910 Subpart D Title:. 21(b)(1) and 1910. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. So, that height can be anywhere from 39 inches to 45 inches. The IBC code for structural design has some very specific requirements for deck stairs: Stair rails on decks should be between 34 inches and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail. Regarding roof protection from falls for work on low-slope roofs, OSHA has general industry (1910) regulations based on various distances: Work done less than 6 feet from the roof edge:For other scaffolding guardrail requirements, see 29 CFR 1926. 2. Guardrail requirements are covered under OSHA 1910. In sum, when a construction employer protects its employees from falls with a guardrail system, that guardrail system must meet the requirements in §1926. Oct 27 2017. We will now. The purpose of these guard rails is to prevent falls or unauthorized access to certain areas. [29 CFR 1926. 500, Guardrails, handrails & guards. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. 1926. OSHA standard 1926. 502(d) and the requirements of the scaffold standard are met. 1431 (b) (2) Exceptions: A personnel platform is not required for hoisting employees: 1926. When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail, safety net, or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs, the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926. 452(y)] 1910. According to OSHA guardrail requirements, a railing is required when working at 4 feet or more. 353. 29 (b) (1): The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, is 107. However, OSHA 1910. 7 - Definition and requirements for a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Tsotsos: This is in response to your June 10, 2005, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 29: 29 CFR 1910. S. A guardrail is typically required for stairs with 4-or-more risers, or for a deck or balcony with 30 inches above grade. 1910. Re: Stair rail and hand rail heights; §1926. Guardrails should be inspected per the manufacturer specifications or a qualified person’s requirements. Guardrails need to have a minimum breaking strength of 200 lbs. When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height. 1917. 502(b)(3). Load Requirement: It should be to hold a load from a 200-pound weight that is. Some areas require taller guardrail. ----- OSHA also drew many provisions in the final rule from national consensus standards, including ANSI/ASSE A1264. ”. According to OSHA guardrail requirements, a railing is required when working at 4 feet or more. 1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. The short answer is usually, yes. The retaining wall or retaining wall system is located closer than 2 feet to a walk, path, residential yard, public common area, parking lot or driveway. In addition to paragraph (b) of this section, the employer must ensure standard stairs: ( 1) Are installed at angles between 30 to 50 degrees from the horizontal; ( 2) Have a maximum riser height of 9. Cal OSHA requires a maximum single rail length of 8 feet. An opening between 3½ and 9 inches should be avoided because of the danger of entrapment. 5 inches (24 cm); and. Advanced Notice of Proposed Rules 64:38077-38086, (July 14, 1999). 25 (b) (2) Vertical clearance above any. Similarly, OSHA's general industry standards related to guardrail systems (Subpart D Walking-Working Surfaces, specifically 29 CFR 1910. 451 (a) (5). OSHA published a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment in November 2016 that updated requirements for slip, trip, and fall hazards. With both standards, OSHA deems guardrail compliant under the following conditions: Vertical height of 42 inches. 1053 (a) (4) (i) The minimum clear distance between the sides of individual-rung/step ladders and the minimum clear distance between the side rails of other fixed ladders shall be 16 inches (41 cm). OSHA published a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment in November 2016 that updated requirements for slip, trip and fall hazards. 1910. 502(k) and training that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926. 1910. OSHA Requirements. Mesh or screen in-fill panels need to extend from the surface to the uppermost rail. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards. OSHA Fall Protection Requirements. Section 1910. DEFICIENCY CRITERIA: There is movement in the anchors of the handrail. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. 22 (b); 1910. a worker leaves the elevated aerial lift work platform. The agency has received numerous questions asking when handrails are required, and about the height requirements for handrails on stairs and stair rail systems. Details are at GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS - this article. OSHA requires that a competent or qualified person inspect each knot in a lanyard or vertical lifeline to ensure it meets the strength requirements in § 1910. S. Any vertical intermediate members (EX. NCHRP Roadside Hardware Replacement Analysis: User Guide. This means you cannot place machinery or other equipment in the space around an electrical panel without making sure that it meets the NEC working clearance requirements. 1431 (b) (1) When using equipment to hoist employees, the employees must be in a personnel platform that meets the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section. 5" tall, with no more than a 1/4" gap at the bottom. 501 ), any worker constructing a leading edge 6 feet or more above a lower level “must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Note that our enforcement. OSHA’s new Fall Protection Standard, which became effective February 6, 1995, requires fall protection for workers at six feet or more above any lower level. The safety ledge shall be designed to carry a live load of 100 pounds per square foot. [29 CFR 1926. This is the first OSHA requirement to be aware of. 25 inches thick. 1910. Guardrail Requirements vs. 29: 29 CFR 1910. 501(b)(13), workers engaged in residential construction six (6) feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection (i. A guardrail consists of a top rail 42” + or – 3” no less than 39”, mid rail at 21” and toe board 3. Handrail Requirements. Double-cleat ladder means a ladder similar in construction to a single-cleat ladder, but with a center rail to allow simultaneous two-way traffic for employees ascending or descending. Guard Height. Specifically, we will consider the use of certain physical barriers that fail to meet the criteria for a. Scope . The OSHA requirements state that guardrails should be able to resist at least 200 pounds of pressure applied directly to the. You’re completely OSHA compliant for inspection at a moments notice. Training and qualification of each roadway worker in charge. 1926. The same width maximum goes for any other posts within the guardrail system. Panels made of materials conforming to the requirements in Table. To prevent employees from being injured from falls, employers must: Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover). The agency has received numerous questions asking when handrails are required, and about the height requirements for handrails on stairs and stair rail systems. highway safety hardware for all new. Railing height from tread surface at the riser face shall be 33±3 inches (83. In these cases, a handrail must be mounted on at least one side if the stairway is less than 44 inches wide. 1910. OSHA's guardrail height requirements include a variance of plus or minus 3 inches. 8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems,. 5 inches for stands with a top height of 4 feet or more, 36 inches for stands with a. Here are OSHA’s requirements for guardrail height: The top of the rail system must be 42 inches (±3 in. Prevent water from pooling and damaging your roof by using a lightweight PVC counterweight to give your team all the protection they. M-606-1 Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) Type 3 W-Beam 31 Inches (Placement, installation, materials, and specifications). 5. Be sure you have. Docket S-775 Safety Standards for Steel Erection (proposed January 26, 1988, 53 FR 2048, final rule published January 18, 2001 66 FR 5196). The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height (§1910. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. OSHA 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards > D Walking-Working Surfaces > 1910. The use of wire ropes as top rails and intermediate rails of guardrail systems used for perimeter. 5”. 13(c)] The use of wire ropes as top rails and intermediate rails of guardrail systems used for perimeter protection or for guardrails used on scaffolding meeting the equivalent requirements of 29 CFR 1926. 451 (a) (5), states that, "Guardrails shall be 2 x 4 inches or the equivalent, approximately 42 inches. Under 29 CFR 1926. 3-1984 entitled American National Standard for Ladders — Fixed — Safety Requirements, as amended from time to time, other than section 7 of that Standard. S. Most loading docks are 48-52” tall, but we do see instances of docks a few inches shy of four feet–say 46”. Conveyor systems shall be equipped with an audible warning signal to be sounded immediately before starting up the conveyor. Download the free PDF and stay safe on the job. 1910. Here are OSHA’s requirements for guardrail height: The top of the rail system must be 42 inches (±3 in. 3 OSHA standards permit fall arrest systems to be anchored to scissor lifts as long as the anchorage requirements in §1926. Answer: No, 29 CFR 1926 451(g)(4)(i) requires that guardrail systems be. 26 (a) Dockboards are capable of supporting the maximum intended load in accordance with § 1910. 1926. , guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems) or alternative fall protection measures allowed under 1926. The following definitions apply in this subpart: Alternating tread-type stair means a type of. For stair rail systems installed on or after January 17, 2017, the top rail and handrail must be separate. Depending on the type of scaffold, each employee more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling either by a personal fall arrest system, a. That being said, there are no requirements for a fall arrest system or ladder safety system for offset fixed ladders 24 feet and under in height so long as the ladder resting platforms at all transitions are of minimum horizontal dimensions (29 CFR § 1910. Standard Interpretations are letters or memos written in response to public inquiries or field office inquiries regarding how some aspect of or terminology in an OSHA standard or regulation is to be interpreted and enforced by the Agency. OSHA’s proposal focuses on two sets of situations: Correcting rail requirements for stairways narrower than 44 inches, and with 2 open sides, by inserting words accidentally omitted when the 2017 requirements were published: - from “one stair rail system [on] each open side”. Top edge height of top rails must be between 42 +/- 3 inches above the walking/working level, except when conditions. 46 m 2) for each person. Most loading docks are 48-52” tall, but we do see instances of docks a few inches shy of four feet–say 46”. 48 (b). It is important to keep in mind that if a rooftop is as little as 4 feet above. 1926. 8. 1053(a)(11). OSHA Guardrail Requirements for Leading Edges. SUMMARY: OSHA is proposing changes to the Walking-Working Surfaces standards to clarify which handrail and stair rail system requirements apply to new stair rail. This threshold differs from 29. gov ) 202-493-3168. 1926. GPO Source: e-CFR. 25 (b) (1) Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with § 1910. If the handrail isn’t circular, the perimeter dimension should not be less than 4 inches and mustn’t be greater than 6. OSHA gives you some flexibility on this. 23(e)(6) states: "All handrails and railings shall be provided with a clearance of not less than 3 inches between the handrail or. 1052 (c) (3) The height of stairrails shall be as follows: 1926. These scaffolding safety guidelines, which come directly from OSHA standards, are explored in greater depth in the sections below. These letters provide guidance to clarify the application of an established OSHA standard, policy, or. 1926. Refrigerated trucks are 50 to 60 inches in bed height, so they always will require a guardrail. The top rail position and maximum single rail length requirements are easier to meet. At this point, we know that you need a handrail if you have. Do the OSHA Construction standards apply to me? The standards apply to: All contractors who enter into contracts which are for construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating. 23(e)(1)] The intermediate (middle) rail should be located in the middle of the upright creating equal space between the floor and the top. Advanced Notice of Proposed Rules 64:38077-38086, (July 14, 1999). A safety handrail provides stability with a handhold on a platform, walkway, stairway or step. In addition, Section 5 (a) (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Ave NWThe AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). OSHA eTool. However, this new provision applies only to scaffolds manufactured or placed into service. [29 CFR 1926. An OSHA-approved state plan must have safety and health requirements at least as effective as those of Federal OSHA and must adopt comparable state they satisfy all of the guardrail requirements. A Guide to OSHA Rules This informational booklet provides a general overview of a particular topic related to OSHA standards. 500 (f) (1) (vi) provides the specification criteria for a standard railing exception as follows: (vi) Other types, sizes, and arrangements of railing construction are acceptable, provided they meet the following conditions: (a) A smooth-surfaced top rail at a height above floor, platform, runway, or ramp level of approximately 42. (note that all lumber dimensions are nominal lumber sizes. Toeboards need to be around 3. Section 18(b) of The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, P. 1014. All guardrail systems must be able to hold at least 200 pounds of pressure pushing out and down on the railing. Here is a list of five current OSHA standards for work platforms that you may not be aware of. 4. Maintenance of rooftop solar panels falls under general industry standards. A handrail or grab bar and any wall or other surface adjacent to it needs to be free of anything sharp or abrasive. 29 (b) (1): The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. OSHA is therefore proposing to clarify that the top rail of stair rail systems installed prior to January 17, 2017, can serve as a handrail if that top rail is 30 to 38 inches in height and meets the other handrail requirements of paragraph (f).