Guardrail Safety

Duty to Have Protection:
  • Each employee shall be protected from falling from exposed sides or edges, and objects falling from work areas 6 feet above lower levels. This protection can be guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, or covers.
  • Guardrails are the preferred method as they are passive systems that protect workers below from falling objects and workers on the elevated work area from falling off.

Guardrails:
  • Accepted form of Fall Protection in many situations: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Bridges.
  • Can be made of many different types of materials: wood, steel, wire rope, composites.
  • The top rail must be able to withstand 200lbs of downward and outward force.
  • The mid- rail must be able to withstand 150lbs of downward and outward force. Mid-rails should midway between top rail and working surface. 
  • Top rails must be 42 inches tall plus or minus 3 inches as measured adjacent to the rail.
  • TOE-BOARDS MUST BE USED IF THERE IS THE POSSIBLITY OF THINGS FALLING OVER THE EDGE!
  • Must be used when wall openings are larger than 18” wide and 30” tall.