×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Toe Kick

Toe Kick

Toe Kick

(OP)
Does OSHA require a Vertical Toe Plate all around edge of any/all walking /standing platforms, no matter the platform area or height off grade?  Are there exceptions, i.e. say you have a four footspanthat sits on grade and merely crosses a shallow ditch ... would it still be required in such a case?

What are height requirements above the grate?

RE: Toe Kick

The purpose of the toe plate is to prevent objects rolling over the free edges of the grating that will leads to injuries of persons stand below. Most building code require a 4 inches toe plate.

RE: Toe Kick

I just pondered this very question designing an outdoor timber walkway that is situated about 4 feet above grade.  I could not find specific guidance in OSHA, but did not use a toe kick because no one would be standing below.

RE: Toe Kick

(OP)
This question relates to low-height items auch as:
1.  a cat that sets on grade used to cross adrainage trench
2.  a stile used to cross a low level pipe, dike, or low level obstruction
3.  a platform that is only 18", 24", or 42" above grade used to access an instrument or valve  ...  In other words, the size and nature and elevation of the grating would be such that no person would be able to walk UNDER it.
 

RE: Toe Kick

kslee, can you provide the section of the code requiring the toe plate? not doubting you, but would like to know the section where it's required.  I have worked on several fine arts centers with catwalks above the auditorium and in the stage.  Always used toe plates and once had an argument with an architect on the use of those plates.  The architect wanted to reduce costs by eliminating the toe plates which he deemed un-necessary.  When I explained the plates would prevent items from falling off of the catwalk, the architect said that there would not be anyone in the auditorium while someone is on the catwalk.  regardless, having the toe plate makes sense from a practical standpoint of not losing a tool or whatever while I'm on the catwalk then having to travel down to retrieve it.

RE: Toe Kick

Besides the dropped tool/item train of thought, one of the reasons our HSE group requires a toe/kick plate on an access platform, landing, or catwalk is to keep the end user from falling from the walking surface by slipping between the lowest rung of the handrail and top of walking surface.  Not to big an issue if you only have a 12" - 24" drop to a dry or safe surface, but could be a major safety concern if your shallow ditch could have harmfull chemicals, plant/animal life, or sharp obstructions.  But then again I work in offshore design and there is usually a long fall to deep, cold saltwater if you fall or drop something from darn near anywhere on the platform.

RE: Toe Kick

red- while that can happen- that isn't what the toeboard is there for- it so, OSHA would require it to be a lot stronger, like the other rails.  (if I'm not mistaken, you can just use 1x4 or something for the toeboard)

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources