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. Section 18(b) of The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, P. Federal OSHA: requires a maximum single rail length of 10 feet. The governing requirement for the guarding of ladderway floor openings and platforms is paragraph 1910. Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry. 46 m 2) for each person. 451(g)(4). Guardrail requirements are covered under OSHA 1910. A guardrail is, first and foremost, a safety barrier intended to shield a motorist who has left the roadway. [29 CFR 1926. GPO Source: e-CFR. Guardrails should be inspected per the manufacturer specifications or a qualified person’s requirements. Maintenance of rooftop solar panels falls under general industry standards. Landings shall have the following features: (1) The landing shall be at least as wide as the ramp run leading to it. 5”. 451(g). IBC 2000 1-1/2 inch minimum. Guardrail Requirements vs. the regulations in T8 CCR only set minimum requirements and they should strive to exceed the standards at all times. 25 inches thick. 451(g)(4). However, OSHA 1910. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. 1910. IRC 2003 1-1/2 inch (38mm) minimum between wall and the handrail. 112 (a) (1) Vehicle curbs, bull rails, or other effective barriers at least six inches (15. Scope . It covers all walking-working surfaces unless specifically excluded by an individual section of this subpart. Construction. 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,. We will now. Only stand on the work platform; never stand on the guardrails. Be sure you have checked all 10 before work begins on your job-site. GPO Source: e-CFR. Different requirements for children show a maximum height of 28″ with a minimum clearance of 9″ between the adult rail and the childrens’ rail, which is only a recommendation and not a requirement. 3. The Guardrail height shall not be less than 36 inches above the walking surface. [29 CFR 1926. Where the guardrail requirements of subsections (a) and (b) are impracticable due to machinery requirements or work. l-l989, Safety Requirements for Floor and Wall Openings and (non-residential) Stair and Railing Systems. 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. 6 - Incorporation by reference. Without safety barriers like guardrails and handrails, anyone working at a height of six feet or more is defenseless against a fall. 1910. In 2017, OSHA updated its requirements, clarifying what employers and construction workers need to do to adhere to safety standards on the construction site. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm). State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements. §3214. Fall protection consists of either personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems meeting OSHA requirements. The safety ledge shall be designed to carry a live load of 100 pounds per square foot. Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the Construction Industry. The agency has received numerous questions asking when handrails are required, and about the height requirements for handrails on stairs and stair rail systems. Use of personnel platform. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. ) from the surface of the walking area. 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,. Stair railing height requirements are derived from handrail code—a model building code that communities can adopt and adapt as needed. 29 CFR 1926. 1926. There are 29 OSHA-approved State Plans operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. Fall Protection. 10. 503 (a) (1) The employer shall provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. Hazards are identified, as well as the controls that keep these hazards from becoming tragedies. According to OSHA 1910. OSHA's guardrail height requirements include a variance of plus or minus 3 inches. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210 1-800-321-OSHA 1-800-321-6742. In some cases and places, however, that is not possible. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly. When a forklift truck is used for lifting personnel on a secured safety platform with a guardrail to. Zhang@dot. 75(g) Catwalks on stiles of marine railways shall be no less than 20 inches wide and shall have on at least one side a guardrail and midrail meeting the requirements of § 1915. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. 2m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following guardrail systems; safety net systems; or. [29 CFR 1926. Handrail height, measured above stair tread nosings, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be uniform, not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). 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. 502(b)(9) states that top rails and mid rails must have a thickness or nominal diameter of at least ¼ of an inch to. Theatre galleries, balconies, or other such elevated seating locations, where a 42-inch railing would obstruct the sight lines, may be protected by a guardrail or other barrier of not less than 34 inches in height provided that a horizontal concave safety ledge not less than 6 inches in depth and not less than 36 inches in effective width is installed beyond the railing at the balcony floor. 73]. If you need additional information, please contact us by fax (202-693-1689) at: U. See the following elevated work platform OSHA requirements in 29 CFR 1910. The guardrail would then have to meet the requirements in §1926. 29(b)(2)(iii) Post navigation. Handrail height of alternating tread devices and ships ladders, measured above tread nosings, shall be uniform, not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more. Advanced Notice of Proposed Rules 64:38077-38086, (July 14, 1999). 555 (a) (2) If the operator's station is at a remote point. Tsotsos: This is in response to your June 10, 2005, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Railing height for guard rail. 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. 29(b) and its subparts. 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. 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). Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. 1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. Maximum 4-1/2 inch handrail projection into stairway width, on either side. 21(b)(1) and 1910. 28 of OSHA’s standard on walking-working surfaces (1910. Note that our enforcement. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. 73 (d) When employees are exposed to unguarded edges of decks, platforms, flats, and similar flat surfaces, more than 5 feet above a solid surface, the edges shall be guarded by adequate guardrails meeting the requirements of § 1915. 1926. 29(b)), and contain. Re: Stair rail and hand rail heights; §1926. SUMMARY: OSHA is proposing changes to the Walking-Working Surfaces standards to clarify which handrail and stair rail system requirements apply. gov. 29). 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. According to OSHA guardrail requirements, a railing is required when working at 4 feet or more. 2. 3-1984 entitled American National Standard for Ladders — Fixed — Safety Requirements, as amended from time to time, other than section 7 of that Standard. . 28 and 1910. 501(b)(13), which requires fall protection (usually conventional fall protection, i. Loads are unfactored - please contact our technical department should safety factored loading be required. Because interpreta-tions and enforcement policy may change over time, you should. Training and qualification of watchmen/[email protected] (a) (1) Danger zones at or adjacent to conveyors shall be guarded to protect employees. These letters provide guidance to clarify the application of an established OSHA standard, policy, or. OSHA Guardrail Requirements for Leading Edges. Access. 5 - Applicability of standards. Under §1926. 2. Equivalent means. 450(b), as well as the requirements of §1926. OSHA publishes a final rule. TO: ALL AREA DIRECTORS Paragraph 1926. Using these definitions, therefore, OSHA concludes that a skylight should be regarded as a hatchway, i. in any direction per OSHA 1910. Handrails must be placed between 34″ and 38″ in height, measuring from the nosing of the stair. Top edge height of top rails must be between 42 +/- 3 inches above the walking/working level, except when conditions. 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. 501(b)(13), workers engaged in residential construction six (6) feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection (i. Here is a summary to make it easy for you: The top rail must be 42 inches in height, give or take 3 inches. 23). Guardrail Requirements vs. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This ribbon of rail acts to capture impacting vehicles and to. 30″ to 38″. The OSHA non-mandatory guidelines do not provide suggested hardware for fastening the guardrails to the ground. 1915. Understand the requirements of OSHA’s Fall Protection standards at 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M, to protect workers exposed to falls six feet or more above a lower level. The safety ledge shall be designed to carry a live load of 100 pounds per square foot. 1926. 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. 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. The space between the inside of the handrail and the wall or any other obstruction must be at least 1-1/2”. 25 (b) (1) Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with § 1910. In addition to their equipment requirements, OSHA has specific instructions for forklift operators. 502(b). The guidelines for these aspects of mezzanine railing include: In-fill mid-rails or panels need to be installed to keep the opening from being more than 19 inches. They must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems, or They must work in a controlled access zone (CAZ) . test requirements (such as ANSI/SIA A92. 42″ minimum. We apologize for the long delay in providing this response. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. This 200 pound load test is designed to stop an employee from. The job-built guardrail systems were evaluated to determine whether they complied with OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926. By strict letter of the law, a 46” dock does not require fall protection under the provisions of OSHA 1910. 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. Since that time, OSHA has received many questions and requests for interpretation of the requirements for handrails and stair rail systems. 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. Handrail height, spacing, and incline are all addressed by the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building. "The employer must ensure each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1. 502 (b) (1) Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system. Common shapes are flat, rounded edge, and tubular in horizontal railings, whereas tetraform spear-headed or ball. 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. 62 m) of lateral travel for employees. For employers who have been doing their best to keep. 10. Phone: Fax: Buy guardrail netting for mid-rail and toe board fall protection, in addition to overhead protection against debris. The Ontario Building Code | Handrails 3. Railings & Guardrail. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. L. 213/91, the highest being a travel restraint system that meets the requirements of section 26. safety monitoring systems. gov) 202-366-6537. According to OSHA: When workers installing solar panels are exposed to fall distances of six feet or more, they need to be. Erie, PA 16501, USA. Ref: Scaffold Guardrail height;. So, that height can be anywhere from 39 inches to 45 inches. When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements. 71(j) (1) and (2). 5". Any vertical intermediate members (EX. 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. 2 cm) in height from the tread surface at the riser face. 1915. 1910. 29 (b): "Fall protection systems and falling object protection -- criteria and practices. (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. OSHA eTool. OSHA scaffolding standards are at 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926. In the diagram below, you can see the side profile of two different types of guardrails: The first option shows a guardrail. 1. All mesh crossings must be secured to prevent enlargement of the mesh opening, which must be no longer than 6. With both standards, OSHA deems guardrail compliant under the following conditions: Vertical height of 42 inches. OSHA noted that cages or wells may allow. , guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems) for work 6 feet or more above lower levels, except where employers can demonstrate. Passive fall protection protects many vulnerable areas and provides safety for all people, not just active employees on a job site. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the general industry standard 29 CFR 1910. Further, OSHA standard 1910. Sets forth safety requirements for areas where danger exists of persons or objects falling through floor or. Based on the information that you have provided, a maximum opening of four inches between the two guardrails would ensure compliance with 29 CFR 1910. The final rule requires that employers must provide guardrail, safety net, or personal fall protection systems to protect workers from falling off unprotected sides/edges of residential roofs that are four feet or more above a lower level. Maximum 12′-7″ vertical height (rise) for a flight of stairs. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Not understanding how they are different can lead to being out of compliance and possible heavy fines. OSHA's guardrail height requirements include a variance of plus or minus 3 inches. 28; 1910. If the employer chooses to use a guardrail system, he must comply with the following provisions: Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, must be between 39 and 45 inches above the. S. Now, if your loading dock is at 46”, per OSHA dock safety standards, fall protection is not required. It covers all walking-working surfaces unless specifically excluded by an individual section of this subpart. 1926. - to “one stair rail system with handrail on each open side”. Mr. § 214. 23 (e) (3) (iv), the anchoring of posts and framing of members for railings of all types. 112(c)(1) on both sides and that are not less than 30 inches (76. Standard Number: 1926. Mid rail height of 21 inches. Guardrails need to have a minimum breaking strength of 200 lbs. 353. 23(c)(1), the open sides of platforms more than four feet above an adjacent floor or ground level must be guarded by a standard railing or the equivalent. § 214. Answer: No, 29 CFR 1926 451(g)(4)(i) requires that guardrail systems be. Department of Labor, OSHA, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance. With both standards, OSHA deems guardrail compliant under the following conditions: Vertical height of 42 inches. In addition, the Act’s Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause, requires employers to provide their workers with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death Training Requirements and Resources ; Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards) Find a Trainer ; Replace a Card ; Avoid Card Fraud ; OSHA Training Institute Education Centers ; Find a Center ; Search for Classes ; Susan Harwood Training Grants ; NEWS Back For instance, OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910. Mesh or screen in-fill panels need to extend from the surface to the uppermost rail. Handrail height, spacing, and incline are all addressed by the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building. 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. OSHA is requesting updates to the handrail and stair rail system requirements for its general industry, Walking-Working Surfaces standard, according to a press release. 5". OSHA’s fall protection and guardrail requirements along with the International Building Code (IBC) are standards all builders, contractors and construction workers should. 23 & 1926. Internal FHWA Pilot ISPE Guardrail End Treatment For information on ISPE pilot, contact Ana Maria Eigen ( ana. On outside plaza, patio, and garden areas, alternate means of protection are acceptable if the same degree of safety is provided. 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. 452(x)(9) 1926. 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. 29 Fall Protection Systems and Falling Object Protection-Criteria and. 25 inches. When properly installed, our guardrail netting meets OSHA toe board requirements, ANSI/ASSE standards and NYC Local Law 61. Specifically, the following sections are the most relevant to handrail and stair rail requirements. Therefore let us recap on the residential stair code requirements: Minimum 36 inch clear width for stairway. Details2. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: 1910. , Washington, D. 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. The top edge of the guardrail should be 42 inches above the walking/working surface. 112 (a) (2) 1) safety railing must be ¼-inch in diameter (a plastic coating could be used to bring the diameter up to ¼-inch) 2) the safety railing must be 42 inches high, plus or minus 3 inches. 1431 (b) (2) (i)1915. The three major components of a strong post barrier are the rail, posts, and blockouts. 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. 1. Equivalent means alternative designs, materials, or methods that the employer can demonstrate will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for employees. 1926. Guardrail Fall Protection Criteria. Pursuant to §1910. The force requirements will depend on the application of the guardrail and the legislative requirements in your jurisdiction. Code requires guardrail in residential structures be a minimum of 36 inches. Here is a list of important OSHA standards for work platforms that you may not be aware of. The section of the OSHA code that specifies most of the primary guardrail and handrails as it directly relates to safety railing is 1910. Slope between 30° and 50° from the horizontal. I. Maximum 4-1/2 inch handrail projection into stairway width, on either side. Zarletti: Thank you for your letter of June 18, concerning the allowable tolerance for the height of guardrails as specified at 29 CFR 1926. Figure D-11-- Guard Rail Systems. Paragraph (g)(4)(xiv) requires that guardrail systems using manila, plastic or synthetic rope as rails be inspected by a competent person as frequently as necessary to ensure that the guardrails comply with the performance criteria in final rule §1926. If you need further assistance, please contact [the Office of General Industry Enforcement at (202) 693-1850]. Where the guardrail requirements of subsections (a) and (b) are impracticable due to machinery requirements or work. 502 - OSHA's new fall protection standards for construction will prohibit use of safety belts with side dee rings as part of a personal fall arrest system - 09/25/1995 1926. DEFICIENCY CRITERIA: There is movement in the anchors of the handrail. All guardrail systems must be able to hold at least 200 pounds of pressure pushing out and down on the railing. OSHA requirements for standard stairs. 1 m), whichever is less. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. For safety- and health-related assistance, employers and employees may contact the nearest Cal/OSHA Consultation . 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. 3. 13(c)]OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. In work situations where a standard railing is not practical, safety belts and lanyards attached to a structural member or static line meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1926. This elevated work area is still clearly a hazardous area and you. Objects which have fallen into the safety net, such as scrap pieces, equipment, and tools, must be removed as soon as possible from the net and at least before the next work shift. 26 (a) Dockboards are capable of supporting the maximum intended load in accordance with § 1910. * The CPSC recommends that. Handrail Requirements. In construction the use of cables or chains to guard door and wall openings is common. Refer to Plan Insert Sheets (GR series) and the July 2012 Version of this Manual for Type 5 guardrail design standards. e. 71 (d) (2) All vertical and horizontal members shall be fastened together with a coupler or locking device which will form a positive connection. Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions: 1926. 3 - Petitions for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a standard. 25 inches in diameter or 0. 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. 140. handrails (1) A stairway shall have a handrail on at least one side, and if 1 100 mm or more in width, shall have handrails on both sides. Some areas require taller guardrail. 451–1926. 5-1982 - American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic -. 451(b) (scaffold platform construction). Federal OSHA: requires a 200 pound point load. OSHA Guardrail Load Requirements. 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. These letters provide guidance to clarify the application of an established OSHA standard, policy, or. 1The present Standard, 29 CFR 1910. 25 inches and 1 inch, respectively. The manufacturer must approve any alterations to the stilts. This is why roof safety rails are so important. This appendix serves as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers in complying with these requirements. 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. 23. 357. 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. Top rails capable of withstanding 200 pounds of. IBC 2003 Clear space between a handrail and a wall or other surface shall be a minimum of 1. 71 (j) (1) and (2), unless the nature of the work in progress or the physical conditions prohibit the use. 451 (d) (10) requires guardrails to be constructed as follows: Guardrails made of lumber, not less than 2x4 inches (or other material providing equivalent protection), and approximately 42 inches high, with a. 29 (b) (3) (4) (5). " 29 CFR 1910. 25 (b) (1) Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with § 1910. 452, . Training and qualification of flagmen. When assessing an employer's compliance efforts, the Agency considers the requirements of pertinent. The agency has received numerous questions asking when handrails are required, and about the height requirements for handrails on stairs and stair rail systems. 1926. 29 repeats itself a lot and it can be a little confusing to sort through. 29 (f) (1) (i) - Handrails are not less than 30 inches (76 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm. 104 may be. Dear. 29 (b) (1): 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 Guardrail Load Requirements. Field Information Memorandum #75-40, June 2, 1975, Subject: Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes - General Industry (copy enclosed) covers situations where. By strict letter of the law, a 46” dock does not require fall protection under the provisions of OSHA 1910. The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height (§1910. All workers reaching more than 10 inches below the level of the walking or working surface on which they are working must be protected by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal On November 18, 2016, OSHA published a final rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) in the Federal Register ( 81 FR 82494 ). ( 4) Have a minimum width of 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical. 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. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. 1. 29 repeats itself a lot and it can be a little confusing to sort through. Curbs or bull rails installed after October 3, 1983, shall be at least 10 inches (25. 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. OSHA stair requirements suggest that: 1910. A Guide to OSHA Rules This informational booklet provides a general overview of a particular topic related to OSHA standards. 7 - Definition and requirements for a nationally recognized testing laboratory. 2Height. Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions: – 1926. (a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing for each 88 inches of required. 10(a)] All subcontractors who agree to perform any part of the labor or material requirements of a contract. ) 1926. 23 covers requirements for ladders and includes information on when handrails are required on mobile ladder stands or platforms (when they have a top step height of 4 feet or more) and how high a railing must be (29. According to OSHA guardrail requirements, a railing is required when working at 4 feet or more. If the guardrail is unable to bear the minimum structural load, it could break due to the applied forces, resulting in a tragic accident. [29 CFR 1926. Minimum tread depth of 9. This threshold differs from 29. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard at 29 CFR 1926. 29 (b), ladders and hatches are required to be secured with a self-closing safety gate and safety-compliant railing. A handrail and a wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements. The modular system allows for the guardrail to be customized to best fit all the angles and elevations of your rooftop. 21 - Scope and definitions. OSHA Fall Protection Requirements. Though the terms guardrails and handrails are often used interchangeably, they are different structures both in use and requirements. 29 CFR 1910. . S. If the top of a tank is not a "platform" under the analysis called for in OSHA's guidance document, the guardrail requirements of that standard would not apply. 454. Cal-OSHA requires that employers provide fall protection for employees who work at heights of 30 inches or more in general industry workplaces, and at six feet or more in construction. An opening between 3½ and 9 inches should be avoided because of the danger of entrapment. 503 (a) Training program.