(1) For wood railings: Wood components shall be minimum 1500 lb-ft/in (2) fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber; the posts shall be at least 2-inch by 4-inch (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart on centers; the top rail shall be at least 2-inch by 4-inch (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber, the intermediate rail shall be at Get a quote, configure a custom stair or ask a question. OSHA's warning line set up requirements ( OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.502 (f)) include: All warning lines must be flagged with a highly visible material and spacing must not exceed 6 feet intervals. Toeboards shall be 4 inches minimum in vertical height and of any material which will provide the strength equivalent to a Standard Southern Pine 1 inch by 4 inch board. 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. Double, 1-inch by 4-inch members may be used for this purpose, provided that one member is fastened in a flat position on top of the posts and the other fastened in an edge-up position to the inside of the posts and the side of the top member. Assistant Commissioner for Enforcement Safety cable guardrails can provide OSHA compliant fall protection for employees on a construction project. All openings in guardrail systems are small enough to prevent objects from falling through the opening. Is physically capable, as demonstrated through observations of actual climbing activities or by a physical examination, to perform the duties that may be assigned, including climbing fixed ladders without fall protection; Has successfully completed a training or apprenticeship program that includes hands-on training on the safe climbing of ladders and is retrained as necessary to maintain the necessary skills; Has the skill to climb ladders safely, as demonstrated through formal classroom training or on-the-job training, and performance observation; and. Chicago, Illinois 60603. Do not have more than a 0.25-inch (0.5-cm) clearance or opening above the walking-working surface. 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. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. The midrails are placed halfway between the top rail and the walking surface. 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. Top railing height must be 39 inches and 45 inches above the walking-working surface. Answer: The response is a qualified yes. Ladderway floor openings are specifically mentioned. As part of the floor turnover process for a steel or concrete building, controlling contractors often times direct the contractor who installed the system to leave the perimeter cables in place until the fall exposure is removed by setting windows or curtain wall. This is in response to your letter of June 20, 2003, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning requirements in the steel erection standard regarding perimeter columns and perimeter safety cables. 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. 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. 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 second shows a different guard rail system with several more posts, Top Rail, and intermediate vertical member. Figure D-13 - Combination Handrail and Stair Rail. Do the perimeter columns have to extend beyond the roof level when the building has topped out? TO: ALL AREA DIRECTORS Paragraph 1926.500(f)(l)(vi) provides for the utilization of types, sizes and arrangements of railing construction provided they meet the conditions established in sub-paragraph a thru d. In construction the use of cables or chains to guard door and wall openings is common practice; however, unless these chains or cables are of sufficient size and strength to support the loads which might be imposed, they imply a security which is not present. The ends of handrails and stair rail systems do not present any projection hazards. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. This Appendix serves as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers in complying with these requirements. If constructed of structural metal, the top . Assurance (Assurance Agency, Ltd.) is not affiliated withAssurance IQ, Inc. Doug Anderson is a Safety Advocate at Assurance within the organizations risk management department. 55 West Monroe Street A guardrail is typically required for stairs with 4-or-more risers, or for a deck or balcony with 30 inches above grade. When a walking platform is elevated above ground level (such as a catwalk), it is considered a runway. Spaces between each post and intermediate vertical member is 19 IN (48 CM) MAX. Note to paragraph (g):
This load should be of equal or greater weight than loads expected in use. OSHA's requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. 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. You can also learn more about the difference between IBC and OSHA safety codes here. Cable shall be not less than 3/8 inch mild plow steel. He's also an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer. The midrails should be placed halfway between the top edge of the railing and the working-walking surface. OSHA regulations state that cable railings must have a smooth top rail at 42 inches above the floor that is able to withstand at least 200 pounds of pressure from any direction. The rail is able to withstand a 200 lb force in a downward or outward direction. Components for which no specific guidelines are given in this Appendix (e.g., joints, base connections, components made with other materials, and components with other dimensions) must also be designed and constructed in such a way that the completed system meets the requirements of 1926.502. Assistant Regional Administrator (4) Guardrails installed after May 26, 2011. ErectaStep's Full Line of Prefabricated Metal Stairs. Ladder Access Inadequate provide a gap with a gate between posts where employees can easily climb on/off ladders or offset the opening so employees cannot walk directly through the gap. Here is everything you need to know about the key differences. It is important to note that you should always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. However, no such carte blanche rule exists and never has in the OSHA regulations. When it comes to keeping your workplace productive theres nothing more important than safety. Diversified Fall Protection a complete turnkey provider of OSHA compliant horizontal lifeline systems. 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. The tensioning device shall have a breaking strength of not less than 10,000 pounds. [Correction 6/20/2005. Spacing of the posts in between modular guardrail system sections. This paragraph (h) applies only to employers engaged in outdoor advertising operations (see 1910.28(b)(10)). The posts to be angle iron of at least 2-inch by 2-inch by 1/4-inch stock, the spacing not to exceed 8 feet. The fifth is Basked Guard Hoop showing Angle from Ladder. (3) Wood top railings shall be smooth and of 2-inch by 4-inch or larger material. These standards, including 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(ii), only refer to the spacing of posts within the guardrail assembly, which would include the top and intermediate railings, but do not address spacing of the posts in between modular guardrail system sections. With a background in construction, Doug has developed a clear understanding of the challenges and risks Assurance clients face on a daily basis. OSHA standard 1926.502(b)(3) requires guardrails to withstand a 200-pound concentrated load. Grab handles. However, the guidelines do not provide all the information necessary to build a complete system, and the employer is still responsible for designing and assembling these components in such a way that the completed system will meet the requirements of 1926.502(b)(3), (4), and (5). General Physical Conditions and Structures Orders Article 2. Safety cable guardrails can provide OSHA compliant fall protection for employees on a construction project. When the employer uses a designated area, the employer must ensure: Employees remain within the designated area while work operations are underway; and. 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. OSHA has a requirement that hand rails, posts, and top and intermediate rails shall be at least 1-1/2 inch nominal diameter, with posts spaced not more than 8 feet on centers. Answer: The response is no. LINDA R. ANKU May 22, 1989 Per OSHA 1910.28, railings installed 60 days before April 10, 1990, can be grandfathered into OSHA compliance at a minimum of 36 inches in height from the working-walking surface. Toeboards Omitted ensure toeboards, that are a minimum of 4 in height and do not exceed a gap from the walking/working surface, are present around all open sides. Rigging crews hook cable systems (simple, high-lead, shotgun, skyline, etc.) Are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the toeboard. Read More: OSHA Catwalk Standards. We have paraphrased your question below: Box 12064 Therefore in Region III, for the purpose of complying with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.750(b)(1)(iii), a safety railing that meets the following criteria would be considered to be equal to a -inch wire rope: If you require any additional information regarding this matter, please contact [the Directorate of Construction at 202 693-2020]. Knoxville, Tennessee 37914 The standard, as written, could be enforced so that no deflection is permitted. Provide and install all fall protection systems and falling object protection this subpart requires, and comply with the other requirements in this subpart before any employee begins work that necessitates fall or falling object protection. Yarding Safety (Logging) Yarding is the logging operation that moves felled trees from the slash pile to the landing or storage area prior to transportation. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. 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. At this point, the controlling contractor inspects and accepts control of the fall protection if it meets the following criteria set forth by OSHA 1926 Subpart M regulations: It is highly recommended anyone who installs or maintains safety cables be trained and authorized. Hispassion is to be a resource his clients can count on when loss control and risk management consulting is needed. Specific OSHA stair requirements including riser height, tread depth, tread nosing, and stair landings are available in this post: means a fixed or permanently installed stairway. 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 top rail of a stair rail system may serve as a handrail only when: The height of the stair rail system is not less than 36 inches (91 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm) as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail (see Figure D-13 of this section); and. You can also contact us by mail at the above office, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail. ErectaStep also has a line of commercial stairs with OSHA or IBC compliance options. The first shows the walking-working surface, posts, and mid rail for guard system. Related Resources The second is side-step Ladder, Access lateral from Ladder. Top rails and midrails are at least 0.25-inches (0.6 cm) in diameter or in thickness. The material must be durable, the top rail and the midrail must be at least 1/4 inch (.6 cm) in diameter. IMPORTANT Apply first load to test the assembly. An employer may use these guidelines as a starting point for designing guardrail systems. Toeboards must be solid and not have a gap of more than 1/4 inch at the bottom. means a device with rungs, steps, or cleats used to gain access to a different elevation. Ladder safety systems and their support systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a drop test consisting of an 18-inch (41-cm) drop of a 500-pound (227-kg) weight. Guardrail height must be between 39 inches and 45 inches. Director of Safety Services Our letters of interpretation do not create new or additional requirements, but rather explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances. (2) For pipe railings: posts, top rails, and intermediate railings shall be at least one and one-half inches nominal diameter (schedule 40 pipe) with posts spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart on centers. Richmond, Virginia 23241 Strength criteria. The minimum guardrail system height requirement of the majority of codes is 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches. Contact us for expert assistance with your fall arrest, fall restraint and fall protection requirements System Types "L" and "T" Column Style Lifelines View "L" and "T" Column Style Lifelines Continuous Pass Through Systems The U-Bolt of the clip should be applied to the dead end of the wire rope and the saddle on the live end. ], Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "Floor periphery - safety railing. 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. Cable shall be not less than 3/8 inch mild plow steel. OSHA Railing requirements for Standard Railing (noted as "Guard" in building codes) : 42 inch minimum height Required if 48 inches or greater drop from walking surface top rail, intermediate rail and posts Intermediate rail at "about halfway up" Must have a toe board OSHA Railing requirements for Stair Railing: Similarly, OSHA's general industry standards related to guardrail systems (Subpart D Walking-Working Surfaces, specifically 29 CFR 1910.23) do not directly address the spacing of posts in between sections of a freestanding modular guardrail system.
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