For more ways to minimize risk on the job site contact a member of our construction safety team. width): Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers are equipped with stair rail systems and handrails. On multi-story structures, perimeter safety cables shall be installed at the final interior and exterior perimeters. 1910.29(b)(9) - Top rails and mid-rails must be at least 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in diameter or thickness. Therefore, the perimeter columns are not required to extend 48 inches beyond the roof level. However, cast-in-place concrete structures may transition from wood guard rails to cable guardrails installed by carpenters. OSHA states that railing must withstand a force of 200 lb at any point along the railing. Openings in stair rails. Rigging crews hook cable systems (simple, high-lead, shotgun, skyline, etc.) Mr. -Christopher, Timberline Communications Inc. OSHA regulations simplified for a safe and compliant workplace. Hispassion is to be a resource his clients can count on when loss control and risk management consulting is needed. The chain or cable shall be equipped with flagging or some other means of increasing their visibility. The section of the OSHA code that specifies most of the primary guardrail requirements and directly relates to safety railing is 1910.29. Assistant Commissioner for Enforcement 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. Contact us for expert assistance with your fall arrest, fall restraint and fall protection requirements System Types "L" and "T" Column Style Lifelines View "L" and "T" Column Style Lifelines Continuous Pass Through Systems Other equivalent intermediate members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide. 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. This is what the phrase,Never saddle a dead horse! refers to. 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? 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. Spaces between each post and intermediate vertical member is 19 IN (48 CM) MAX. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. If you require any additional information regarding this matter, please contact [the Directorate of Construction at 202 693-2020]. The height of the toeboard must be at least 3 inches (8.9 cm) high from the ground to the top edge and be able to withstand a force of 50 lb (222 N) in any direction. If constructed of structural metal, the top . By connecting a body harness and lanyard to a shuttle traveling the length of the line, a worker can safely move along a horizontal (or vertical) plane. All lumber dimensions are nominal sizes as provided by the American Softwood Lumber Standards, dated January 1970. Spiral, ship, or alternating tread-type stairs are used only when the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to provide standard stairs. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. All openings in guardrail systems are small enough to prevent objects from falling through the opening. Department of Labor and Industry These standards, including 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(ii), only refer to the spacing of posts within the guardrail assembly, which would include the top and intermediate railings, but do not address spacing of the posts in between modular guardrail system sections. 1910.29(j) Personal fall protection systems. Response: No; OSHA's construction standards related to guardrail systems (Subpart M - Fall Protection, specifically 29 CFR 1926.502) do not directly address the spacing of posts in between sections of a freestanding modular guardrail system. The second is side-step Ladder, Access lateral from Ladder. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Directorate of Construction at (202) 693-2020. Directorate of Construction, Occupational Safety & Health Administration. The top rail of the stair rail system meets the other handrail requirements in paragraph (f) of this section. Toeboards must be solid and not have a gap of more than 1/4 inch at the bottom. No opening in a stair rail system exceeds 19 inches (48 cm) at its least dimension. Approximately halfway between this height and the floor, there must be an intermediate rail that can withstand 150 pounds of force. When mobile mechanical equipment is used to perform work that is both temporary and infrequent in a designated area, the employer must ensure the warning line is erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the unprotected side or edge that is parallel to the direction in which the mechanical equipment is operated, and not less than 10 feet (3 m) from the unprotected side or edge that is perpendicular to the direction in which the mechanical equipment is operated. Another option is to keep a cable puller and wire rope grip attachment handy in order to tighten cable guardrails easily. There should be at least two clips installed for wire rope that is 3/8 in diameter. The midrails should be placed halfway between the top edge of the railing and the working-walking surface. Standard stairs. Safety cable guardrails can provide OSHA compliant fall protection for employees on a construction project. If posts are spaced more than 8-feet on center, it will no longer be OSHA compliant. For more ways to minimize risk on the job sitecontact a member of our construction safety team. 2800 Grays Ferry Avenue Have open risers if the tread depth is less than 9.5 inches (24 cm); Have a minimum tread width of 7 inches (18 cm), measured at the leading edge of the tread (i.e., nosing). Plus, it's a safe option for kids and guests of all ages. OSHA has a requirement that hand rails, posts, and top and intermediate rails shall be at least 1-1/2 inch nominal diameter, with posts spaced not more than 8 feet on centers. We have paraphrased your question below: 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). Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. GENERAL new or replacement ladders 24 H require PFAS or LSS, RUNGS must be uniform and between 10 14 apart; 16 wide, CLEARANCES 30 on climbing side or 24 w/ deflector plate, 7 on back side, 15 from centerline, SAFETY GATE must have a self-closing gate that swings away from ladder, w/top rail and midrail. Risk Managers should keep the below in mind to share with their workers and safety committees. The employer must ensure: Personal fall protection systems. Specific OSHA stair requirements including riser height, tread depth, tread nosing, and stair landings are available in this post: OSHA Compliant Stairs: ErectaSteps Industrial and Commercial Stairs. Philadelphia, PA 19146-3639. Table D-1 Stairway Rise and Tread Dimensions. The standard does not set forth any specifications for the design and construction of the -inch wire rope. Simplified Safety was very knowledgeable in terms of OSHA requirements and provided a product that would satisfy OSHA requirements. ADA Photos & Videos Browse our gallery of ADA compliant handrails to gain inspiration and ideas for your own ADA projects. 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. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Specifically, the following sections are the most relevant to railing and guardrail for fall protection. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. For any area with a floor or wall opening (such as a stairway or access hole), a standard railing is required on the exposed side of the structure. or ladder safety system provided that the cage or well does not interfere with the operation of the system. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Chat live with a knowledgeable and friendly stair expert now. Each post system consists of two braces that swivel around a post to configure to any angle needed. at intervals not to exceed 8 feet - 1926.451(a)(5))? Return to index . In their simplest form, cable fall protection systems consist of wire rope secured by a series of terminal and intermediate anchor points. Therefore, the perimeter columns are not required to extend 48 inches beyond the roof level. Employers must ensure that each employee who climbs a fixed ladder without fall protection: Ladder safety systems. The top of the handrail should be at . Related Resources Therefore, it does not require perimeter safety cables on the roof level. In addition, if there is no parapet or wall that reaches 21 in. It is important to note that you should always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. The customer service was great. 1910.25(b)(5)(ii) Less than 22 inches (56 cm) for platforms installed on or after January 17, 2017 (see Figure D-7 of this section); 1910.25(b)(6) Each stair can support at least five times the normal anticipated live load, but never less than a concentrated load of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) applied at any point; 1910.25(b)(7) Standard stairs are used to provide access from one walking-working surface to another when operations necessitate regular and routine travel between levels, including access to operating platforms for equipment. Fall hazards over 48 inches are addressed. The first is Access to Landing Platform through Ladder. 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