Height of Guardrails in General Industry Applications

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Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

This directive is currently only available in: PDF

Whether additional handrails are required on the grated walkways provided on one side of the 13 belt conveyors.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 14, 1990

Mr. Anil Desai
Project Engineer
B.L. Montague Co., Inc.
Post Office Box 5428,
STA B
Greenville, South Carolina 29606

Dear Mr. Desai:

Thank you for your letter of July 12, in which you requested an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) interpretation of whether additional handrails are required on the grated walkways provided on one side of the 13 belt conveyors at your Courtland, Alabama, paper mill project.

Top rail and handrail requirements for stairrail systems under the construction standards.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 28, 2004

Mr. Helmut Haydl
3710 Sydna Street
Bethlehem, PA 18107

Re: Stair rail and hand rail heights; §1926.1052(c)(6) and 1926.1052(c)(7)

Dear Mr. Haydl:

This is in response to your letter of June 24, 2004 regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for heights for stair rails and handrails and corresponding building code requirements. We apologize for the delay in providing a response.

We have paraphrased your concern as follows:

Conditions under which a stair railing can also serve as a handrail.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 14, 2005

Mr. Helmut Haydll
3710 Sydna Street
Bethlehem, PA 18107

Dear Mr. Haydll:

Thank you for your June 24, 2004 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Your letter was forwarded to the Office of General Industry Enforcement for response. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. You had specific questions regarding the requirements for stair and hand rails.

Acceptability of slip on fittings on stair rails and requirement for stair rails to be smooth surfaced.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 14, 2005

Mr. Ron Crebo
Hollander Structural Fittings
P.O. Box 156399
Cincinnati, OH 45215-6399

Dear Mr. Crebo:

Clarification of OSHA requirements pertaining to winding stairway systems.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 15, 2010

Ms. Darla J. Fanelli, PE, PS
Senior Project Engineer
1645 Indian Wood Circle, Suite 101
Maumee, OH 43537

Dear Ms. Fanelli: