Recognizing potential fall risks is just one way of maintaining a safe workplace, and it’s crucial to understand the OSHA guardrail requirements to guarantee compliance on your job site.
When choosing a guardrail system for your job, it’s important to pick one that is OSHA-compliant. Hilmerson has created the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™ to meet all local and national codes, regulations, and industry best practices. Our guardrails follow all OSHA Guardrail Requirements and make it easy to install guardrails while being compliant. For the specific OSHA Guardrail requirements, visit OSHA’s website.
OSHA Construction Guardrail Requirements
OSHA has specific requirements for construction that include the installation of guardrails at heights of 6 feet or more, and 4 feet or more for general industries. If an employee is reaching 10 inches below the walking or working surface, then fall protection is required, like a guardrail. For projects utilizing wire rope as a guardrail system, it’s essential to place flags every 6 feet or less along the length.
OSHA’s General Guardrail Requirements
OSHA’s general guardrail requirements apply to many applications from leading edges to loading docks to rooftop skylights. For general guardrail requirements, all protection is needed for any structure or platform measuring 4 feet or higher above the ground. However, when working above hazardous equipment, regardless of how high above the ground, OSHA requires that fall protection is needed.
OSHA Guardrail Size Requirements
Figure resource: OSHA.gov
Hilmerson guardrails always follow OSHA specific guidelines to ensure safety. These guidelines include a 42-inch height for the top rail, with a small allowable range of plus or minus 3 inches. It is important to note, some State Plan requirements for height compliance do not allow the plus or minus 3 inches. Hilmerson safety rails are specifically 42″ for that reason and are compliant across all states. We offer a variety of guardrail options in terms of size and width, and you can explore all our different guardrail kits on our Kits and Applications page to find the perfect fit for your needs.
When exposed to falling objects a toeboard is required. Toeboards are required to maintain a force of 50 pounds in any down or outward direction and shall be a minimum of 3.5” in vertical height from the top edge of the walking/working surface with no more than a quarter inch gap from the bottom of the toeboard to the walking/working surface. Hilmerson safety rails have an integrated toeboard engineered in the system.
How Strong Do Guardrails Need To Be?
Hilmerson guardrails not only meet but exceed OSHA standards for safety. Top rails are designed to withstand 200 pounds of force without bending below 39 inches, ensuring your protection. Midrails are also built to handle 150 pounds of force in both outward and downward directions. Our guardrails are constructed with galvanized heavy-duty 13g steel, making them exceptionally robust and safe. You can trust that our guardrails not only meet OSHA requirements but go above and beyond to provide the highest level of protection.
Miscellaneous OSHA Guardrail Requirements
Make sure your guardrails also follow these miscellaneous requirements:
- No projection, laceration, or puncture hazards.
- Components should have a minimum thickness or diameter of 1/4 inch.
- Guardrails should prevent clothing from getting caught.
- Avoid using steel or plastic banding for guardrails.
OSHA Stair Guardrail Requirements
Any landings that are 4 feet or more in height require the installation of a guardrail system to prevent falls. Similarly, for stairs with four steps or more, OSHA mandates both a stair rail system and a handrail system.
At Hilmerson, we offer our own OSHA-compliant Temporary Guardrail Configurations for Leading Edges, Stairs, Slabs, and Rooftops. Additionally, we’ve developed a custom-designed multi-use stair/slab grabber.
Construction Laws and Regulations – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.5001926.502 – Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.5021926 Subpart M App B – Guardrail Systems – Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(b)
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartMAppBProtection From Falling Objects
1926.502(j)(1)
Toeboards, when used as falling object protection, shall be erected along the edge of the overhead walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.
1926.502(j)(2)
Toeboards shall be 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.
1926.502(j)(3)
Toeboards shall be a minimum of 3½ inches (9 cm) in vertical height from their top edge to the level of the walking/working surface. They shall have not more than ¼ inch (0.6 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. They shall be solid or have openings not over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in greatest dimension.
1926.502(j)(4)
Where tools, equipment, or materials are piled higher than the top edge of a toeboard, paneling or screening shall be erected from the walking/working surface or toeboard to the top of a guardrail system’s top rail or midrail, for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.
General Industry Laws and Regulations – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1910 – Subpart D – Walking-Working Surfaces
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910SubpartD1910.28 – Duty to have Fall Protection and Falling Object Protection
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.281910.29 – Fall Protection Systems and Falling Object Protection-Criteria and Practices
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.28
Learn more about the Hilmerson Safety Rail System™
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.
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