Osha Regulations For Handrails

The height of stair rail systems installed on or after January 17 2017 must be not less than 42 from the leading edger of the stair read to the top surface of the rail. If the railing dips below 39 inches due.

1910 29 Fall Protection Systems And Falling Object Protection Criteria And Practices Occupational Safety And Health Administration

Its vital to note that OSHA standards are prone to change over time.

Osha regulations for handrails. This is the first OSHA requirement to be aware of. Reference 191023e1 as referenced by 191023e2 and 191023e5i. OSHA Railing requirements for Load.

OSHA 191029 b 1. OSHA provides several safety parameters via their website oshagovANSI also has an entire catalog of standardsThis article should serve as a quick overview of the directives that OSHA and ANSI use to guide the safe operation of loading docks fall protection situations floor and wall openings and some other related topics. OSHAs Section 191029 refers to both handrails guard rails and handrail systems.

191029f1ii The height of stair rail systems meets the following. Any smooth surface railing that can withstand the load requirements. General OSHA Handrail Requirements.

The posts and brackets are not considered as any other object as this term is used in 191023e6 and the posts and brackets are not required to have a clearance of not less than 3 inches between the top rail or. No opening in a stair rail system exceeds 19 inches 48 cm at its least dimension. You can view the entire section by clicking here.

OSHA Loading Dock Safety and Railing Requirements. Section 191029b2iv of OSHA code outlines the need for semi-continuous handrails in work environments. OSHA states that guardrail must reach a height of 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches above the walking-working surface and withstand a force of 200 pounds at any point in a downward or outward direction.

191029b1 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. No extensions or overhangs. New OSHA handrailguardrail requirements have come into effect on Jan 17 of this year.

Oregon OSHA requires that employees at general industry workplaces be protected from falls to a lower level of four feet or more and from any height above dangerous equipment. Guardrails stair rails and handrails are common fall protection solutions. 191029 f 4 Openings in stair rails.

Be aware that this section was updated in January 2017. Thats why you should consult the latest requirements or contact an expert. Railings must meet a 200-lb concentrated load.

The OSHA standards specify that the top rail and handrail should handle a weight of a minimum of 200 pounds in any direction. For stair rail systems installed on or after January 17 2017 the top rail and handrail must be separate. That includes handrails which are a key part of keeping a workplace safe and accessible.

Railing requirements for OSHA are covered in Section 191029. For example they limit hazardous chemicals in the workplace and require employers to maintain safe equipment. To meet OSHAs guardrail height requirements the top rail needs to be 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches above the walking-working surface.

OSHA 191029b contains system requirements that employers must follow to ensure guardrail systems will protect workers from falling to lower levels. 191028b11ii Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers are equipped with stair rail systems and handrails. April 10 1990 that states employers would not be required to install guardrail systems on the working side of platforms such as loading docks where the employer can demonstrate that the presence of guardrails would prevent the performance of work.

The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height 191029 f 1 ii B and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height 191029 f 1 i as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail. Handrails must provide an adequate handhold for employees to grasp to prevent falls. Given this load requirement it is highly unlikely that you can achieve a 6 foot span for a wood railing or an 8 foot span on steel or pipe railings.

OSHA catwalk handrail requirements The OSHA catwalk handrail requirements are found in OSHA sections 191028 and 191029 - Fall protection systems and falling object protection-criteria and practices. A catwalk handrail or guardrail system is. Fall Protection Systems and Falling Object Protection Criteria and Practices.

The top edge height may exceed 45 inches 114 cm provided the. 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. The height of handrails shall be not more than 37 inches 94 cm nor less than 30 inches 76 cm from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.

In addition OSHA also issued an interpretation 55 FR 13407. Handrails stair rail systems and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with 191028. The posts are an integral part of a stair railing as the brackets are an integral part of a handrail.

191025b2 Vertical clearance above any stair tread to any overhead obstruction is at least 6 feet 8 inches 203 cm as measured from the leading edge of the tread. Quoting from the new text note all is from the same sectionpage. Handrails must not be more than 37 inches 94 cm high nor less than 30 inches 76 cm from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread.

We will now cover some additional areas.

Osha Stair Requirements To Keep Your Workplace Safe And Productive