Handrails needed or not? 1

[777gne]

This topic has come up over and over at our plant. When building an elevated work platform, at what height are handrails required (by OSHA). We have several platforms that are less than about 12" above the floor without handrails, that operators use intermittently. UBC doesn't really cover this scenario... or does it(?).

- Does anyone know at what elevation handrails are required?
- Is there any OSHA document that would cover this?

We are in California, I realize it may vary state to state. Any input is welcome.

 

[JLSeagull]

http://www.osha.gov

Download
1910.23 - Guarding floor and wall openings and holes. 38k
1910.23(a)"Protection for floor openings." 1910.23(a)(1)Every stairway floor opening shall be guarded by a standard railing constructed in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. The railing s...

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9715

Score: 9
1926.451 - General requirements.


During construction, without railings you have to wear fall protection above six foot.

Download "Stairways and Ladders, A Guide to OSHA Rules.
Excerpts:
Handrails
Requirements for handrails are as follows:
Handrails and top rails of the stair rail systems must be able to withstand, without failure, at least 200 pounds (890 n) of weight applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge.
Handrails must not be more than 37 inches (94 cm) high nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread.
Handrails must provide an adequate handhold for employees to grasp to prevent falls.
Temporary handrails must have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stair rail systems and other objects.
Stairways with four or more risers, or that rise more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height— whichever is less—must have at least one handrail.
Winding or spiral stairways must have a handrail to prevent use of areas where the tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm).

Midrails
Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members or equivalent intermediate structural members must be provided between the top rail and stairway steps to the stair rail system. When midrails are used, they must be located midway between the top of the stair rail system and the stairway steps.

Start reading.

 

[dcasto]

I never found an exact height before a platform must have handrails. A hole more than 12" deep must have a cover or gaurd. In the companies I've worked for, each one had a different design spec for handrails, anywhere from 8" to 29 1/2" as the set requirement. Where you get into trouble is the general duty clause to protect employees. So it's pick a value, document it, and live with it. heck tou can step off an 8" platform and twist an ankle, break a toe.

 

[JimCasey]

Pragmatically: You have to have a handrail wherever the local osha inspector says. It's like in baseball: whatever the umpire calls is the rule.

But logically, steps are 7 inches. Anything higher than hat might prove to be an unexpected step hazard.

 

[HEC]

We generally require fall protection when the fall is around 1.8m. Jim Casey's comment above is pertinant though. Particularly in public areas. As a rule I wouod apply the case where anything past three "standard" steps change in level requires a hand rail.

Mark Hutton

 

[JStephen]

§1910.23(c)(1)

(1) Every opensided 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. etc.

 

[jte]

Since you're in California, where CA law is often more stringent than Federal OSHA, you could get a fairly authoritative answer from these folks:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/consultation.html

As long as you are working to correct any issues which may come up, you shouldn't expect them to issue fines etc. That's not what the consultation side is about...

Been there, done that.

jt

 

[rcooper]

Why not convert your 12" drop into two 6" steps? Is it possible to lower your platform to ground level. In the UK I believe it should be risk assessment based. Is it in a working area where someone could step backwards off the platform? Are people likely to use it as a walkway?

 

[777gne]

Thank you each for your replies. The varying responses are pretty much what I expected to see. The link that JLSeagull provided is very helpful for what I would call standard platforms, and pretty much what I adhere to in those cases, specifically all of section (e).

I think Jim Casey hit the nail on the head: whatever the inspector says is what needs to be done. In this case the patform ended up being 18" above the floor, with one step at 9". We put a handrail up for fall protection since workers will be working with their back to the "open side".