Safety Tips for Cable Guardrails on Construction Sites, Construction Motor Vehicles: How to Stay DOT Compliant, The top cable is 42 +/- 3 in height from the walking surface, The middle cable is approximately 21 in height from the walking surface, The cable system must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 lbs. 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. We're here to help! 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. 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. The first is Access to Landing Platform through Ladder. (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. Handrails. 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. 28 abril, 2022. Cable Railing Standards 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. So no matter what you need from help with OSHA compliance to learning how our 3D configurator can give you instant (and accurate) drawings and quotes our experienced team will make sure you get it. This is in response to the questions posed in the letter from Jay Withrow regarding safety railing(s) required by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.750(b)(1)(iii). Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats are spaced not less than, (25 cm) and not more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, as measured between the centerlines of the rungs, cleats, and steps, Have a minimum width of 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical barriers. Safety cable guardrails can provide OSHA compliant fall protection for employees on a construction project. IMPORTANT Apply first load to test the assembly. Steel banding and plastic banding are not used for top rails or midrails. Photos: Livers Bronze Co. feBruary 2009 MOdErn sTEEl COnsTruCTiOn. ], Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "Floor periphery - safety railing. 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). This is in response to your letter of June 29, concerning the acceptability of wire rope and/or cable as a method of perimeter protection for a building under construction. at intervals not to exceed 8 feet - 1926.451(a)(5))? Spacing, installation torque, and other instructions still apply. Miles, Jr., Director For more ways to minimize risk on the job site contact a member of our construction safety team. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. LINDA R. ANKU Note to paragraph (b) of this section: Handrails have the shape and dimension necessary so that employees can grasp the handrail firmly. Intermediate vertical members, such as balusters cannot be more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart. James G. Maddux, Director Thus any wire rope -inch in diameter of any design or construction could be used to comply with this standard. Perimeter safety cables. Metal Stairs that save time, money and eliminate custom fabrication. Approximately halfway between this height and the floor, there must be an intermediate rail that can withstand 150 pounds of force. Therefore, it does not require perimeter safety cables on the roof level. 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. 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. Laddermeans a device with rungs, steps, or cleats used to gain access to a different elevation. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. The fourth is the cross section of a Basket Guard Hoop showing Bar measurments. -Christopher, Timberline Communications Inc. OSHA regulations simplified for a safe and compliant workplace. 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. The criteria and practices requirements for guardrail systems on scaffolds are contained in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L. Figure D-11 -- Guard Rail Systems. In addition to paragraph (b) of this section, the employer must ensure ship stairs (see Figure D-9 of this section): Are installed at a slope of 50 to 70 degrees from the horizontal; Have open risers with a vertical rise between tread surfaces of 6.5 to 12 inches (17 to 30 cm); 1910.25(e)(3) Have minimum tread depth of 4 inches (10 cm); and. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has requirements for handrails and guardrails that apply to all permanent places of employment, except where only domes- . However, they must be continuously inspected and maintained to ensure compliance with OSHA 1926 Subpart M standards. The second is side-step Ladder, Access lateral from Ladder. The midrails are placed halfway between the top rail and the walking surface. Answer: The response is no. 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. Wire rope and/or cable as a method of perimeter protection for a building under construction. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Cable shall be not less than 3/8 inch mild plow steel. Safety net systems. Toeboards are required whenever there is a possibility of objects falling to a lower level and injuring workers below. ), or if the cables are not adequately tensioned, the system may fail this safety test. 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]. John B. This provision applies to the perimeters of "floors," not roofs. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface. Chain shall be not less than 1/4 inch alloy steel. The U-Bolt of the clip should be applied to the dead end of the wire rope and the saddle on the live end. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. If we can be of further assistance, please let use know. Each ladder safety system allows the employee to climb up and down using both hands and does not require that the employee continuously hold, push, or pull any part of the system while climbing; The connection between the carrier or lifeline and the point of attachment to the body harness or belt does not exceed 9 inches (23 cm); Mountings for rigid carriers are attached at each end of the carrier, with intermediate mountings spaced, as necessary, along the entire length of the carrier so the system has the strength to stop employee falls; Mountings for flexible carriers are attached at each end of the carrier and cable guides for flexible carriers are installed at least 25 feet (7.6 m) apart but not more than 40 feet (12.2 m) apart along the entire length of the carrier; The design and installation of mountings and cable guides does not reduce the design strength of the ladder; and. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Directorate of Construction at (202) 693-2020. 55 West Monroe Street Plus, it's a safe option for kids and guests of all ages. Cages, wells, and platforms used with fixed ladders. All Rights Reserved. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Sincerely, 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. Requirements for perimeter columns and perimeter safety cables in the Steel Erection standard. Mr. 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 height of stair rail systems meets the following: The height of stair rail systems installed before January 17, 2017 is not less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail; and. Question: If an employer utilizes a freestanding modular guardrail system, which the manufacturer claims meets OSHA's force/strength requirements, but which is designed such that the main posts' weighted bases allow the main posts to be spaced 6" apart, would this gap be a violation of OSHA's guard rail standards? Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and other equivalent intermediate members are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (667 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the intermediate member. Director of Safety Services Knoxville, Tennessee 37914 means a device with rungs, steps, or cleats used to gain access to a different elevation. Some areas require taller guardrail. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Spiral stairs must meet the vertical clearance requirements in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. Design and Construction of Railings. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (b) of this section (see Figure D-11 of this section). Find out more about the general requirements for toeboard, when is it required? Answer: The response to this question is a qualified yes. The most common issues observed while performing safety audits on cable guardrails include: Excessive Deflection or Sagging incorporate turnbuckles to allow for easy tightening of the cable. OSHA states that railing must withstand a force of 200 lb at any point along the railing. 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. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. 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. Projection hazards. Midrails are placed halfway between the top rail and ground. It is important to note that you should always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. 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. The ends of handrails and stair rail systems do not present any projection hazards. The standard requires guardrail systems and components to be designed and built to meet the requirements of 1926.502(b)(3), (4), and (5). In their simplest form, cable fall protection systems consist of wire rope secured by a series of terminal and intermediate anchor points. Question 3: Although it is not stated anywhere, must the wire rope used to comply with 1926.750(b)(1)(iii) (-inch wire rope; or 3/16-inch aircraft wire if you find that to be equivalent) have a maximum permissible deflection of 3-inches in one direction when a load of 200 pounds is applied in any direction at any point? This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of only the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated in your original correspondence. 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. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. When the employer uses a designated area, the employer must ensure: Employees remain within the designated area while work operations are underway; and. This applies to any point in the railing whether youre in the middle of the rail or at either end. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has implemented regulations for railings to prevent worker injury or death. 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. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Copyright 2023 ErectaStep. The first shows the walking-working surface, posts, and mid rail for guard system. 5 Modular Components, Unlimited Configurations. Anything after that date, 42 inches is the standard height that must be met and support a force of 200 lb at any point in the railing. One of ErectaSteps components is bolt on aluminum ladders. 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 1926.500(d)(1) and 29 CFR 1926.451(a)(5) is acceptable provided it meets the following guidelines: (1) Wire rope shall be secured to each support and taut at all times. or the cable horizontal span is too great, if the intermediate posts spaced too far apart (more than 42" of horizontal distance o.c. Performs climbing duties as a part of routine work activity. Another option is to keep a cable puller and wire rope grip attachment handy in order to tighten cable guardrails easily. 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. You had a specific question regarding a modular guardrail system. OSHA deems any change in elevation of 48 inches or more to be a fall hazard requiring a form of fall protection in walking-working areas. Mid-rails, mesh screens, and other architectural panels must be installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm.) Assurance (Assurance Agency, Ltd.) is not affiliated withAssurance IQ, Inc. Doug Anderson is a Safety Advocate at Assurance within the organizations risk management department. OSHA provides a range for the railings to ensure your system is safe and compliant. R. A. WENDELL Figure D-13 - Combination Handrail and Stair Rail. Toeboards must be solid and not have a gap of more than 1/4 inch at the bottom. 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. They must follow the regulations described below. Be sure to check with your code official regarding your area's guardrail height requirements. 1910.25(b)(3) Stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings; 1910.25(b)(4) Stairway landings and platforms are at least the width of the stair and at least 30 inches (76 cm) in depth, as measured in the direction of travel; 1910.25(b)(5) When a door or a gate opens directly on a stairway, a platform is provided, and the swing of the door or gate does not reduce the platforms effective usable depth to: 1910.25(b)(5)(i) Less than 20 inches (51 cm) for platforms installed before January 17, 2017; and. 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