Introduction
Walking and working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet or more above the lower level must be protected by one or more of the following:
- Guardrail systems;
- Safety net systems; or
- Personal fall protection systems.
When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer must implement on or more of the following:
- Erecting toe boards, screens or guardrail systems;
- Erecting canopy structures; or
- Barricading the area into which objects could fall and prohibiting employees from entering the barricaded area.
Railings
A guardrail system consists of a top rail, midrail and posts. The top rail must be 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches from the walking or working surface. The top-edge height can exceed 45 inches if the system meets all other criteria. Midrails must be installed midway between the top rail and the walking or working surface unless there is an existing wall at least 21 inches high. Screens and mesh are required when material could fall between the top rail and midrail or between the midrail and the walking or working surface. Intermediate vertical members, when used instead of midrails between posts, must be no more than 19 inches apart. The ends of the rails must not overhang the terminal posts except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.
A guardrail system must be capable of withstanding a 200-pound force applied within 2 inches of its top edge downward or outward. Midrails, screens and intermediate structural members must withstand at least 150 pounds applied downward or outward.
Toe Boards
A standard toe board must have a minimum vertical height of 3.5 inches as measured from the top edge to the level of the walking or working surface. It must be securely fastened in place and with not more than 1/4 inch clearance above floor level. Toe boards must be strong enough to withstand a force of at least 50 pounds applied downward or outward. Where material is piled to such height that a standard toe board does not provide protection, paneling or screening from the toe board to the midrail must be provided.