This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Depicts a set of stairs and combination handrail and stair rail installed. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. The employer must ensure canopies used for falling object protection are strong enough to prevent collapse and to prevent penetration by falling objects. ], Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "Floor periphery - safety railing. Turner Construction Company You had a specific question regarding a modular guardrail system. Intermediate supports shall be installed in such a manner that they will provide the strength and spacing outlined for Posts in 1926.500(f)(l)(i), (ii) & (iii). Handrails are not less than 30 inches (76 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm), as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the handrail (see Figure D-12 of this section). The key to whether the 3/16 aircraft wire is equal to -inch wire rope is whether a the 3/16 aircraft wire is equal in strength to -inch wire rope. The ladder should be placed 7 IN (18 CM) Min on Center and 15 IN (38 CM) MIN from either left or right side with a total space of 27 IN-30 IN (69 CM-76 CM) for well opening, Figure D-15 -- Example of General Construction of Cages. OSHA states that guardrail must reach a height of 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking-working surface and withstand a force of 200 pounds at any point in a downward or outward direction. Toeboard must be added where there is a hazard and continue along the working area that is exposed. Other equivalent intermediate members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide. Safety Director OSHA's requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. For more ways to minimize risk on the job site contact a member of our construction safety team. The top rail is between 39 inches and 45 inches above the walking surface. Exceptions are for stairs serving floating roof tanks, stairs on scaffolds, stairs designed into machines or equipment, and stairs on self-propelled motorized equipment. Return to index . Designing an OSHA compliant railing system is equally important; post-spacing, material choice, finish, toeboard, and gates are all things to consider when designing your guardrail. The top of the handrail should be at . They must follow the regulations described below. Depicts a well squared off. for Federal/State Programs. Question 2: Although it is not stated anywhere, does 1926.750(b)(1)(iii) require either a midrail or supports (e.g. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure all workers have adequate fall protection and falling object protection including handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems according to OSHA standard 1910.28. Body belts, harnesses, and other components used in personal fall arrest systems, work positioning systems, and travel restraint systems must meet the requirements of 1910.140. TERMS OF USE|PRIVACY POLICY|SITEMAP|LEGAL NOTICE|INCOME DISCLOSURE. If you need additional information, please contact us by fax at: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Directorate of Construction, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance, fax # 202-693-1689. Height of Guard rail is 42 IN (3 IN) (107 CM 8 CM). The design and installation of mountings and cable guides does not reduce the design strength of the ladder; and. The Corner Post System comes with pre-set cable tie-offs to meet OSHA's required 42" top rail and 21" mid rail heights, but can be adjusted when floor thickness changes. You stated that the freestanding guardrail system meets the 200 pound (890 N) force requirements required by 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(3) and 1910.23(e)(3)(iv) and that you have twice had engineering firms conduct calculations and verify compliance. If properly constructed and maintained, cable guardrails can provide compliant fall protection in numerous situations. Surfaces. Exception to paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this section. Its important to contact an expert to fully understand what you need or might not need. Spiral, ship, or alternating tread-type stairs are used only when the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to provide standard stairs. Stainless steel cable railing is easy to clean and maintain over time. When guardrail systems are used around holes, they are installed on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole. If the cable spacing is more than 3" o.c.) Philadelphia, PA 19146-3639. ), or if the cables are not adequately tensioned, the system may fail this safety test. Hispassion is to be a resource his clients can count on when loss control and risk management consulting is needed. If the railing dips below 39 inches, due to the force, the railing is not OSHA compliant. However, fall protection, whether accomplished by guardrails, nets, personal fall arrest systems, etc., is nonetheless required on the roof level at fall heights over 15 feet (with certain exceptions) pursuant to the requirements of 1926.760(a)(1). The questions and responses to them are as follows: 1) safety railing must be -inch in diameter (a plastic coating could be used to bring the diameter up to -inch). Copyright 2023 ErectaStep. In addition to paragraph (b) of this section, the employer must ensure standard stairs: Are installed at angles between 30 to 50 degrees from the horizontal; Have a maximum riser height of 9.5 inches (24 cm); Have a minimum tread depth of 9.5 inches (24 cm); and. 1910.25(b) General requirements. The tensioning device shall have a breaking strength of not less than 10,000 pounds. This load should be of equal or greater weight than loads expected in use. HEIGHT CLEARANCE minimum 6'6" clearance from nose of tread . Handhold. 1910.29(b)(1) - A standard railing shall consist of a top rail, an intermediate rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the working-walking surface. The employer must ensure each cover for a hole in a walking-working surface: 1910.29 (e) (1) Is capable of supporting without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time; and 1910.29 (e) (2) Is secured to prevent accidental displacement. Figure D-13 - Combination Handrail and Stair Rail. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Since cables or chains are commonly used as barriers or guards on construction projects at floor and wall openings and to establish uniformity in this Region, the following criteria will govern the use of cable and chain as guards. Cages and wells installed on fixed ladders are designed, constructed, and maintained to permit easy access to, and egress from, the ladder that they enclose (see Figures D-14 and D-15 of this section); Cages and wells are continuous throughout the length of the fixed ladder, except for access, egress, and other transfer points; Cages and wells are designed, constructed, and maintained to contain employees in the event of a fall, and to direct them to a lower landing; and. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Widener University. ADA Photos & Videos Browse our gallery of ADA compliant handrails to gain inspiration and ideas for your own ADA projects. Figure D-14 -- Clearances for Fixed Ladders in Wells. IMPORTANT Apply first load to test the assembly. The chain or cable shall be equipped with flagging or some other means of increasing their visibility. Gabe Mariani is a railroader who has been writing for school and for pleasure for over 15 years. If the items are piled higher than the midrail, the employer also must install paneling or screening to the top rail and for a length that is sufficient to protect employees below; and. Parapets or railings that are preexisting are acceptable at a minimum of 36 inches under OSHA code 55 Federal Register 13360, siting that replacing the parapet or railing would introduce unnecessary risk to the workers replacing it. The chain or cable shall be anchored at intervals not to exceed 100 feet. -Christopher, Timberline Communications Inc. OSHA regulations simplified for a safe and compliant workplace. Midrails are placed halfway between the top rail and ground. For guardrail systems used around holes through which materials may be passed: When materials are being passed through the hole, not more than two sides of the guardrail system are removed; and. Cable shall be not less than 3/8 inch mild plow steel. It is a common misconception that the worker is safe and in compliance as long as a distance of 6 ft is maintained from an unprotected edge. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). If you require any additional information regarding this matter, please contact [the Directorate of Construction at 202 693-2020]. OSHA1910.25covers standards for all stairways (including a standard, spiral, ship, and alternating tread-type stairs). Have a minimum width of 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical barriers (see Figure D-8 of this section). Sincerely, All openings in guardrail systems are small enough to prevent objects from falling through the opening. Designing an OSHA compliant railing system is equally important; post-spacing, material choice, finish, toeboard, and gates are all things to consider when designing your guardrail. Mr. Territory Safety Coordinator Visit our construction focused solutions at. Lastly, the preferred method to terminating the wire rope or splicing two wire ropes together is to turnback the ends through each eye as seen in the diagrams. Your Posts Must Be Tall Enough for Your Application Most state and local codes require railing posts to be 36 inches tall for residential applications. Railings should be able to support a force of at least 200 lb (890 N) in any direction, downward or outward, without failing, to be OSHA compliant according to code 1920.29. Code requires guardrail in residential structures be a minimum of 36 inches. All lumber dimensions are nominal sizes as provided by the American Softwood Lumber Standards, dated January 1970. The top rail of the stair rail system meets the other handrail requirements in paragraph (f) of this section. Chain shall be not less than 1/4 inch alloy steel. The employer is responsible for employee safety on fixed stairways such as roof access stairs,crossover stairs,loading dock stairs,in-plant office stairsare all common workplace stairs. 1910.25(f) Alternating tread-type stairs. One stair rail system with handrail on each open side and one intermediate handrail located in the middle of the stair. Answer: Section 1926.756(e) states: The standard requires perimeter columns to extend 48 inches above the finished floor "to permit installation of perimeter safety cables prior to erection of the next tier" Since there is no "next tier" once the final tier has been erected, the language of the provision indicates that the requirement does not apply to the final tier's columns. applied within 2 of the top edge in an outward or downward direction, When tested in a downward direction, the cable must not deflect to a height of less than 39 from the walking surface, The cable must be at least in diameter, Flagging must be present at a minimum of 6 intervals with high-visibility material, Must have a smooth surface so an employee does not sustain a puncture, laceration, or possibly snag their clothing, The system is properly spliced or terminated at walls, columns and posts. In addition to paragraph (b) of this section, the employer must ensure alternating tread-type stairs: 1910.25(f)(1) Have a series of treads installed at a slope of 50 to 70 degrees from the horizontal; 1910.25(f)(2) Have a distance between handrails of 17 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm); Have a minimum tread depth of 8.5 inches (22 cm); and. Therefore, it does not require perimeter safety cables on the roof level. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. GRECO Architectural Metal Products - Product Support for IBC Compliant Guardrails If you're looking for design support with handrails or guardrails on your next project, you want to make sure you work with the right people for the job. Cal-OSHA is notorious for having more stringent requirements. See OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-034 "Inspection policy and procedures for OSHA's steel erection standards for construction" published on 3/22/2002 for the current policy on OSHA's steel erection standards (1926 Subpart R) for construction. Plus, it's a safe option for kids and guests of all ages. Some areas require taller guardrail. All Rights Reserved. Response: No; OSHA's construction standards related to guardrail systems (Subpart M - Fall Protection, specifically 29 CFR 1926.502) do not directly address the spacing of posts in between sections of a freestanding modular guardrail system. The standard requires guardrail systems and components to be designed and built to meet the requirements of 1926.502(b)(3), (4), and (5). Minimum tread width 22 IN (56 CM), Minimum Tread Depth 9.5 IN (24 CM), Maximum Riser Height 9.5 IN (24 CM). Are perimeter safety cables required in this situation under 1926.760(a)(2)? OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Dan Kane Therefore, it does not require perimeter safety cables on the roof level. This Appendix serves as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers in complying with these requirements. Projection hazards. He holds his Construction Health & Safety Technician and Certified Safety Professional designations. One stair rail system with handrail on each open side. Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high: Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface; Screens and mesh extend from the walking-working surface to the top rail and along the entire opening between top rail supports; Intermediate vertical members (such as balusters) are installed no more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart; and. 1910.25(e)(4) Have a minimum tread width of 18 inches (46 cm). To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Handrails and the top rails of stair rail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in any downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of any point along the top edge of the rail. Railing must not cause additional hazards; ensure the ends of the top rails and midrails do not hang over the ending or terminal posts if there is a chance someone could walk into it. When the 200-pound (890-N) test load is applied in a downward direction, the top rail of the guardrail system must not deflect to a height of less than 39 inches (99 cm) above the walking-working surface. Where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than the top of the toeboard, paneling or screening is installed from the toeboard to the midrail of the guardrail system and for a length that is sufficient to protect employees below. The second is side-step Ladder, Access lateral from Ladder. 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