Fall Protection: Guardrails

Guardrails are another way of protecting workers from falling off scaffold structures. Guardrail systems are a requirement for certain types of scaffolding. They must comply with the following provisions:

• Guardrail systems must be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms.
• Guardrail systems must be installed before the scaffold is released for use by employees other than erection and dismantling crews.
• The top edge height of toprails or equivalent members on supported scaffolds manufactured or placed in service after January 1, 2000 must be installed between 38 inches and 45 inches above the platform surface.
• The top edge height on supported scaffolds manufactured and placed in service before January 1, 2000, and on all suspended scaffolds where both a guardrail and a personal fall arrest system are required must be between 36 inches and 45 inches. When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of 29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4).
• When midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent structural members are used, they must be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the scaffold platform.
• When midrails are used, they must be installed at a height approximately midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the platform surface.
• When screens and mesh are used, they must extend from the top edge of the guardrail system to the scaffold platform, and along the entire opening between the supports.
• When intermediate members (such as balusters or additional rails) are used, they must not be more than 19 inches apart.
• Each toprail or equivalent member of a guardrail system must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along its top edge of at least 100 pounds for guardrail systems installed on single-point adjustable suspension scaffolds or two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds, and at least 200 pounds for guardrail systems installed on all other scaffolds.
• Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members of a guardrail system must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the midrail or other member of at least 75 pounds for guardrail systems with a minimum 100-pound toprail capacity, and at least 150 pounds for guardrail systems with a minimum 200-pound toprail capacity.
• Suspension scaffold hoists and non-walk-through stirrups may be used as end guardrails if the space between the hoist or stirrup and the side guardrail or structure does not allow passage of an employee to the end of the scaffold.
• Guardrails must be surfaced to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.
• The ends of all rails must not overhang the terminal posts, except when such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard to employees.
• Steel or plastic banding must not be used as a toprail or midrail.
• A competent person must inspect manila or plastic (or other synthetic) rope being used for toprails or midrails as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the aforementioned strength requirements.
• Crossbracing is acceptable in place of a midrail when the crossing point of two braces is between 20 inches and 30 inches above the work platform or as a toprail when the crossing point of two braces is between 38 inches and 48 inches above the work platform. The end points at each upright must be no more than 48 inches apart.

To learn more about Scaffolding Safety visit our Construction Scaffolding Safety Online Training web page.