Parapet clamps are one of the simplest and most effective ways to secure compliant guardrails on job sites with existing parapet walls.
On many commercial job sites, fall protection at the roof edge presents a significant challenge. Weighted bases can get in the way of roofing work, and permanent guardrails aren’t always an option. That’s where parapet clamps come in—providing a safe, OSHA-compliant solution for leading edge fall protection.
What Are Parapet Clamps?
Parapet clamps are engineered devices that attach directly to an existing parapet wall, allowing crews to install guardrails without taking up valuable floor space. They’re commonly used on the rooftops of hospitals, office buildings, schools, and other large facilities where parapet walls are present.
Most parapet walls aren’t tall enough to provide fall protection on their own. A parapet clamp guardrail system bridges that gap, securing posts and rails to reach compliance and keep workers safe.
Why Use Parapet Clamps?
- Space-saving: No bases on the roof surface, giving roofers and trades free access to work areas.
- Versatile: Can clamp to parapet walls made of concrete, precast, or wood frame.
- OSHA-compliant: Meets the required 42-inch top rail and 21-inch mid rail standards when installed correctly.
- Durable: A quality clamp is built from heavy-duty steel, engineered to withstand a 200-pound force load.
As Hilmerson President & CEO Debra Hilmerson explains, “Our parapet clamps were built to eliminate the makeshift fixes we see too often in the field. Tough enough to last. Simple enough to keep contractors compliant.”
What are OSHA Requirements for Parapets?
Parapet walls alone rarely meet OSHA’s height requirements for fall protection. According to OSHA Standard 1926.502(b):
- Top rails must be 42 inches ±3 inches above the walking or working surface.
- Midrails must be installed midway between the top edge and the walking surface, unless a parapet wall is at least 21 inches tall.
- Guardrail systems must be able to withstand at least 200 pounds of force applied outward or downward on the top rail.
Since most parapet walls measure only 18–21 inches in height, they can sometimes serve as the midrail, but never as a complete guardrail system. To meet OSHA’s 42-inch requirement, parapet clamps with posts and rails are needed to bridge the gap.
When Is a Parapet Enough on Its Own?
While parapet walls can sometimes contribute to fall protection, most are not tall enough to serve as a full guardrail system. If your parapet is only 21 inches tall, it can act as the mid rail—but you’ll still need additional protection to meet code.
We cover this in detail in our blog: When Can a Parapet Be Used as a Guardrail?
Can parapet clamps be used as an anchorage point for lifeline, provided they are rated for?
No. Parapet clamps are designed for guardrails, not as anchorage points. Even if equipment is “rated,” parapet clamps are not engineered to handle the forces generated in a fall. Guardrails and lifelines serve different purposes, and confusing the two can put workers at risk.
For OSHA-compliant fall protection, use parapet clamps only as part of a guardrail system—and rely on properly engineered anchorage systems for lifelines. OSHA compliance isn’t a box to check—it’s the floor, not the ceiling. We don’t design products to scrape by. We design them to hold up in the field where lives are on the line.
Common Mistakes and Misuses of Parapet Clamps
Even the best system can fail if it’s used incorrectly. On jobsites, we often see parapet clamps misapplied in ways that compromise safety:
Avoiding these mistakes ensures parapet clamps perform the way they were engineered—to provide safe, compliant guardrail protection at the edge.
Why We Don’t Do Makeshift Fixes
On too many rooftops, we still see quick fixes passed off as fall protection—two-by-fours clamped to parapets, light tubing that bends under stress, or walls that fall short of OSHA’s requirement.
Deb has always said those shortcuts aren’t just non-compliant—they’re dangerous. A system that only looks like fall protection is worse than no system at all, because it gives crews a false sense of security.
Our mission at Hilmerson is straightforward: take the risk out of leading-edge work by replacing temporary fixes with permanent solutions crews can count on.
Hilmerson’s Approach to Parapet Clamps
Many parapet clamps on the market are made with light-gauge steel, which may meet minimum requirements but don’t stand up to the realities of the field.
Hilmerson’s Parapet Clamp Guardrail System™ is different:
- Built with American steel for long-term use.
- Engineered for compatibility with the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™.
- Designed to replace temporary fixes with sustainable tubing and swivel clamps.
Learn More
Looking for more ways to simplify fall protection on your jobsite? Explore our full line of Safety Rail System Kits & Applications to see how we’re helping contractors eliminate makeshift fixes and stay compliant.
Explore the Hilmerson Parapet Clamp Guardrail System™ — parapet clamps born in the field, made in America, and built to keep your crews safe.
About Hilmerson Safety
Hilmerson Safety® is a full-service safety product design and manufacturing company serving the construction industry. Since 2001 Hilmerson Safety® has been working with construction industry leaders and contractors to develop safe, lean, construction-grade™ products and solutions that add to the company’s bottom line.
For more information email us or call (952) 239-0125
