Staying safe at elevation

By Julia Farrell, WRYKER. 

The basics of OSHA’s guardrail system regulations and how to keep your workers safe.  

It is common for workers in the construction industry, but especially for roofers, to operate at height. This clearly poses safety challenges and concerns, especially regarding the risk of a fall. As a response, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has designed specific guidelines to help keep workers in these scenarios safe. For those interested in learning more details about this, the guidelines can be found outlined in OSHA 1926.502. In this article, the experts at WRYKER took a look at the guides for guardrail systems specifically (OSHA 1926.502b). A proper guardrail system consists of top rails, mid rails and toe boards installed along the open sides and edges of elevated work platforms to create a physical barrier that prevents workers from falling. Here are 10 critical takeaways to pay attention to when selecting, installing and maintaining guardrails. 

1 - Top edge height 

Ensure that the top edge height of guardrail systems is maintained at 42 inches ± 3 inches above the walking/working level, or as necessary to accommodate specific conditions or the use of stilts. 

2 - Installation of midrails and screens 

Install midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members or equivalent intermediate structural members between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface, as required. Midrails should be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level. 

3 - Spacing of intermediate members 

Ensure that intermediate members (ex. balusters) are spaced no more than 19 inches apart between posts to prevent openings wider than 19 inches (.5 m) in the guardrail system. Openings greater than 19" are subject to citation. 

4 - Strength requirements 

Guardrail systems must withstand a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches of the top edge in any outward or downward direction, as well as a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied to midrails or other members.  This section of the standards can be confusing. Clarification from OSHA was provided in 1975 stating that the yield strength of a material is a "good guide" for whether or not it meets the standard. 

In most applications we see today, end users rely on their distributor or manufacturer to provide guardrails that adhere to 1926.502(b)(3-5). Before installing any old guardrail you can find, reach out to your distributor or the manufacturer to get written documentation of the system's performance in strength testing. Ask specifically for documentation on adherence to 1926.502(b)(3-5). Your due diligence will be well worth the effort to ensure jobsite safety. 

Test it yourself: if you want to go above and beyond, you can place 200lbs of weight at any point of the top rail of a guardrail system to perform the test on your own. If the rail dips below 39", your guardrail system does not meet the required strength. If its height stays at 39" or higher, it is good to go! Only perform this test on ground level to avoid any potential for falling weights. 

5 - Surface protection 

Guardrail systems should be surfaced to prevent injury from punctures or lacerations and to prevent snagging of clothing. Most manufacturers provide coating options to protect the surface of steel frames used for guardrail systems. These coatings prevent rusting and help the system adhere to subsection 1926.502(6) for as long as possible. Bright colors (most often yellow) help the system be highly visible as an additional safety precaution. 

6 - Proper installation and material use 

There are a number of important points in this category, so we will step through them individually: 

• The ends of all top rails and midrails cannot overhang terminal posts, with an exception made when the overhang does not constitute a projection hazard. Best practice is to have no overhang beyond terminal posts. 
• Do not use steel or plastic banding as top or midrails. You may use manilla, plastic, synthetic or even wire rope that is >1/4" thick. 
• Ensure that top rails and midrails are at least one-quarter inch nominal diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. 
• If you elect to use wire rope as a top rail, you must use red flagging every 6 feet to remain in compliance. 

7 - Hoisting 

For guardrail systems that require access points, a chain, gate or removable guardrail section must be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place. After materials are hoisted into place, immediately replace the section that was altered to make way for the material. 

8 - Holes 

If you have a guardrail system around any type of hole, it must protect all unprotected sides of the opening. If a hole is being used for passing through material, you can only have one or two sides of the guardrail system be removable with a minimum of two sides locked into place. When not in use, the hole must be covered and any chains/gates/removable sections must be re-installed and locked into place. 

9 - Ramps 

If a guardrail systems is being used on a ramp or runway, it must be installed on each unprotected side or edge. 

10 - Inspection and maintenance  

Regularly inspect guardrail systems, including manila, plastic or synthetic rope used for top rails or midrails, to ensure they meet strength requirements and replace or repair any damaged components as necessary. Remember, if the top rail can dip below 39" from 200lbs of force (or less!), it is no longer a compliant system. 

Conclusion 

OSHA 1926.502(b) serves as a critical framework for ensuring the safety of construction workers who are utilizing guardrail systems for fall protection. This article is intended to assist your understanding of the details provided in 1926.502(b). 

By adhering to OSHA regulations and implementing appropriate fall protection measures, employers can create safer work environments, prevent accidents and protect the well-being of their workforce. Remember, compliance with OSHA standards is required, but going beyond the optics by truly understanding the details and providing quality safety equipment can lead to transformational change within your organization. 

For more detailed information on OSHA standards and regulations, we encourage you to visit the official OSHA website. 

Original article and image source: WRYKER