OSHA Guardrail Requirements
Identifying your fall hazards is just one part of ensuring a safe work environment, it's also important to understand OSHA railing requirements to ensure your facility is compliant. 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.
Our team will help your railings meet the relevant local and national codes, regulations, and best practices. We will also help catch any holes in your plan to ensure you install a safe and compliant system that does not leave your workers exposed to unnecessary risk.
What to Look For When
Selecting OSHA Compliant Railing
Quick OSHA Guide
OSHA's requirements for guardrail can be found on the OSHA website. Below is a quick reference guide for ensuring your facility is OSHA compliant.
You must ensure that:- Fall hazards over 48 inches are addressed.
- The top rail is between 39 inches and 45 inches above the walking surface.
- The midrails are placed halfway between the top rail and the walking surface.
- The rail is able to withstand a 200 lb force in a downward or outward direction.
It is important to note that you should always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Material Choice
The material must be durable, the top rail and the midrail must be at least 1/4 inch (.6 cm) in diameter. OSHA also requires the surface of the railing itself must be smooth to protect employees from injuries; such as cuts, punctures and to prevent snagging.
Railing Must:- Be 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in diameter.
- Be smooth in texture to avoid injuries such as lacerations, cuts, or snagging of clothing.
It is important that the railing should not only protect the employee from a fall, but it cannot pose any other hazards.
Railing Positioning
OSHA provides a range for the railings to ensure your system is safe and compliant. Guardrail height must be between 39 inches and 45 inches. The midrails should be placed halfway between the top edge of the railing and the working-walking surface.
- Top railing height must be 39 inches and 45 inches above the walking-working surface.
- Midrails are placed halfway between the top rail and ground.
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. This could add additional hazards to the working area.
In-fill Panels & Toeboards
When there's no wall or parapet higher than 21 inches, gaps larger than 19 inches are non-compliant, according to OSHA 1910.29(b)(2).
- In-fill panels or midrails must be installed so that no opening is greater than 19 inches.
- In-fill panels, such as mesh or screens, must extend from the walking surface to the top-rail and the entire opening between vertical rails.
- Toeboards must be 3.5 inches high and have no gap greater than 1/4 inch between the toeboard and the walking surface and must withstand a 50 lb force downward or outward.
- Toeboards must be solid and run the entire length where there's potential for objects to fall to the lower level.
OSHA Guardrail Code & Requirements
The section of the OSHA code that specifies most of the primary guardrail requirements and directly relates to safety railing is 1910.29. Specifically, the following sections are the most relevant to railing and guardrail for fall protection.
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.
1910.29(k)(1) - A standard toeboard shall be 3 1/2 inches in vertical height from the top edge to the bottom level of the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. It should be securely fastened in place and with not more than 1/4-inch clearance above floor level.
1910.29(f)(3) - Surfaces. Handrails and stair rail systems are smooth-surfaced to protect employees from injury, such as punctures or lacerations, and to prevent catching or snagging of clothing.
1910.29(b)(9) - Top rails and mid-rails must be at least 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in diameter or thickness.
OSHA Railing FAQs
At what height does OSHA require railing or fall protection?
What are OSHA guardrail requirements?
How much weight should safety railings support?
What is OSHA compliant railing vs what is grandfathered into OSHA compliance?
Does OSHA require railing to attach to a structure or building?
What are the OSHA requirements for railing post spacing?
What does OSHA require for the diameter of the top rails and mid-rails?
How far apart can the vertical rails or balusters be apart?
When is a toeboard required by OSHA?
Simplified Safety was very knowledgeable in terms of OSHA requirements and provided a product that would satisfy OSHA requirements. The customer service was great.
-Christopher, Timberline Communications Inc.
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