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How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

(OP)
I have been searching for the maximum clearance above the finished floor which a platform may be before it requires handrails.  I have found several references to a 30" maximum height, on various websites.  Most of them purport to be reporting OSHA regulations.  But I have been entirely unsuccessful in finding the actual code citation to justify the 30".  Does anyone know where, in OSHA Code, that 30" appears?

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

IBC Section 1013.1 - 30 inches

OSHA
1926.501(b)(1)
"Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

thats odd, I thought OSHA required fall protection for anything over 4 ft???

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

The diference in 4' and the 6' is between construction and industrial.  Industrial is 6'.

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Having fallen off a 4 foot high unrailed platform a few years ago and fetting a couple of broken ribs, I would think lower would be good here.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

<pet peeve>
Sonoma County, CA rules for _stair_ handrails, in part:

Stairways shall have handrails on each side unless specifically exempted by one or more of the following exceptions.
EXCEPTIONS:
...
4.
Changes in room elevations of only one riser within dwelling units and sleeping units in group R-2 occupancies do not require handrails.

I read "changes in room elevation" as not substantially different from "platform", so two steps up would require a handrail, at least next to the steps.

I have seen people fall off stage risers, only one step up, and not be real happy about the results.  I have fallen off "changes in room elevation" and into "conversation pits" in fashionable homes and not been real happy about it.  Even if the only injury is spilled beer (horrors!) and a soiled carpet, somebody will curse the architect/engineer.
</pet peeve>

So it depends on where you are, and what type of building you're in, and how the local AHJ rules, but I'd want a written dispensation from the cognizant insurance carrier before doing without handrails anywhere, even for just one step up.
 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

my information is that 30" is the maximum height without a handrail. I don't have a reference off the top of my head, but I'm sure it's in the building codes.

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

spats - see my post - second from the top with the IBC reference.
 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

JAE - Oops, missed your reference. I recently dealt with this issue, but relied on the architect for my information... sometimes they're right!

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

It's also 30" maximum without handrail for a drop off from an exterior sidewalk.
I can't find my references, but it might derive from ADA.  Not sure about that, though.  I don't think it's OSHA.

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

While I don't really disagree with all said above - our company policy is that once you step off good old mother Earth you will be protected - either tied off or hand railed.

My question and I have NEVER seen a good answer to this - what about stages???

We have all read about famous stars or seen YouTube videos of people falling off of stages.

What about those?????

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Most of them are drunk at the time and don't feel a thing.
 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Yep!!!

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

What about stages?  Thankfully common sense has prevailed so far.  Who wants to watch a performance through a guard rail?  Surely the danger of falling off the stage fits in the category of a fan getting hit by a foul ball at a baseball game: there is some inherent risk that you've accepted just by being there.

In case you're wondering about the permissibility of it, stages are specifically excluded from the requirement in the same IBC section JAE referred to.

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

It still scares me to think that Eddie Vedder wasn't tied off when he did some of those famous stages dive from lighting racks back in the early 90's!

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

(OP)
JAE Thanks for the OSHA citation.  That is just what I needed.  We got cited last year, by a compassionate OSHA audiologist, for have an unprotected platform 42" above the floor.  (Apparently there would appear to be no competency test for OSHA inspectors) Unfortunately I had just come onboard at that time and did not get involved until the mechanic tried to put up new platforms spanning the entire floor with 1 x 1 angle.  Seemed like a bad idea. :)

Having an actual code citation makes the discussions far more fruitful.  Thanks again.

If anyone has a citation for the 4' height, could you shoot that long as well?  That would be mostly for interest rather than need, as my application is industrial.  Thanks

Vernon

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

I think some cities have their own requirements. Call the bldg. inspector.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Yes - I know you don't want to see a performance thru guardrails and sometimes I don't like pumping gas in a thunderstorm or lighting B-B-Q fires. But we all do it.

Life does have some risk and we acknowledge it and live with it.

I think if you read OSHA 1926.452 Part L - I think it is 10' - might be 8'

 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

(OP)
Thanks, guys.  This is an OSHA issue, not building code, not NFPA et cetera.  Platforms not scaffold.  And in general, I have the necessary answer from JAE (Thanks again, JAE).  I was just curious about the construction rules citation at 48".  Thanks everyone for all the help.  VWillet Out.

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Sounds like the issue is going thru a stage of development.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Mr. McCann.....you never stop.  heh.

 

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

NO.  The OSHA requirement is more stringent that this.  First, the General Duty clause requires that employers protect employees from hazards.  Any condition which can be dangerous must be avoided through proper controls.  A few specifics are below, but they are out of context.  And just because there is no specific rule does not mean an unsafe condition can persist.  Consider that the reason the 4 foot rule is adopted was for wall openings like dock doors.
-- (General Duty Clause)
OSH Act of 1970, SEC. 5. Duties
(a) Each employer --
(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;
(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
--
1910.22(c)
"Covers and guardrails." Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc.
--
1910.23(c)(1)
Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,
(i) Persons can pass,
(ii)There is moving machinery, or
(iii)There is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.
--
But the rule for stairs and along exit ways is more restrictive, and there is not minimum height before they are required:

1910.24(h)
"Railings and handrails." Standard railings shall be provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms. Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of closed stairways preferably on the right side descending. Stair railings and handrails shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of 1910.23.

RE: How high must a platform be to require a handrail?

Just pick one of us - we are all nuts/crazy

BTW OSHA 1926.501(2) Subpart M says 6 feet.  So why do roofers NEVER use fall protection??

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