Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
(OP)
Does anyone have a reference for OSHA in the US for the minimum gap width required to have guardrail protect?
I have an industrial platform abutting a cold formed wall with a 5 1/2" gap and we're trying to figure out if we need to close this gap off. The steel platform has a perimeter kick plate.
Thanks!
I have an industrial platform abutting a cold formed wall with a 5 1/2" gap and we're trying to figure out if we need to close this gap off. The steel platform has a perimeter kick plate.
Thanks!






RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
"The way (an OSHA Consultant and former OSHA Inspector) described this at (the job) was that a worker could accidentally step into the gap and twist an ankle or cause some other injury if the gap is in the 4” range. I have not found an interpretation letter from OSHA that supports this, but I believe the final determination was that a gap as large as 12” would be considered a de minimis violation provided a toeboard was provided at the opening, because a person could not fall to the level below, although would probably get hurt if they stepped over the toeboard. Larger gaps can be accommodated if a railing is provided along with the toeboard.
This is not an official OSHA statement, just the interpretation from one of my coworkers.
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
Dik
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail
RE: Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail