Basic Overview of Walking and Working Surfaces
The following information is a general overview of major points and standards developed from OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D. Walking and Working Surfaces for General Industry.
Key Terms:
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Floor Hole: opening less than 12 inches but more than 1 inch
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Floor Opening: an opening greater than 12 inches where a person may fall
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Toeboard: barrier to prevent the falling of materials
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Standard Railing: barrier to prevent persons from falling
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Wall Hole: an opening less than 30 inches but more than 1 inch high of unrestricted width, in any wall or partition
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Wall Opening: an opening greater than 30 inches high and 18 inches wide
General Requirements:
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All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition
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Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard
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Covers and/or guardrails provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.
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Load rating limits shall be posted on all cover plates
Floor Openings, Wall Openings, and Holes:
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Railingsto be provided on all exposed sides of a stairway except entrance
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Guardrails to be in place or attendant posted at all temporary floor openings
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Floor holes to have standard railing with toeboard or hole cover of standard strength and construction
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Every hatchway or chute opening to be guarded
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Platforms 4 feet or more above ground shall be guarded by standard railing on all open sidesexcept entrance to ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder
Railing, Toeboard, and Cover Specifications:
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Top rails shall have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor
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Protection between top rail and floor, platform, runway, ramp, or stair treads, equivalent at least to that afforded by a standard intermediate rail
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Height of handrails shall be not more than 34 inches nor less than 30 inches from upper surface of handrail to surface of tread
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Toeboard should be nominal 4 inches in vertical height and have no more than 1/4 inch clearance above floor level
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Roadway manhole covers to handle at least 20,000 pounds
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Skylight screens must be able to carry at least 200 pounds
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200 pounds for wall opening covers
Stairways:
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Every flight of stairs with 4 or more risers shall have standard railings or hand rails
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Stairways less than 44 inches wide having both sides enclosed, must have at least one handrail that is affixed, preferably of right side descending
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Less than 44 inches wide with open side, one affixed handrail on open side
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Less than 44 inches wide with two open sides, two handrails to be provided on each side
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Fixed industrial stairs are to carry 5 times anticipated load
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Minimum moving concentrated load of 1000 pounds
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Minimum width of 22 inches
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Angle to horizontal between 30 and 50 degrees
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Vertical clearance from tread to overhead a minimum of 7 feet
Ladders:
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Must extend at least 3 feet above point of support
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Never to be placed near electrical hazards
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Foot of ladder placed 1/4 height on lateral
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Never splice ladders to elongate
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Never use as platforms
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Secure footing, or lashed or held in position