512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

21-8. General Requirements.

Guardrail Systems

Install guardrail systems according to paragraph 21-8.d standards; correct deficiencies before exposing personnel to fall hazards.
Toprails, midrails, and posts, and must have a vertical height of 42 +/- 3 inches from the upper surface of the toprail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level.
Erect midrails halfway between the toprails and the floor, platform, runway, or ramp.
Toe-boards must be, at minimum, 3.5 inches in vertical height.
Employ commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) engineered guardrail systems if they meet the required standards. The employer must ensure the system's compliance.

Construction Materials for Guardrail Components

Use minimum construction material standards for wood railings, structural steel railings, and steel cable railings.
Ensure the guardrail system, including hoist areas, meets the height and strength requirements and provides proper protection.
For hoist areas, install guardrails on each side of the access point and use gates or removable sections that meet standard guardrail height and strength.

Existing Parapet Walls

Parapet walls must have a height of 42 +/- 3 inches to be an effective fall protection method. If not, consider installing a guardrail or using another fall protection method.

Covers

Install covers on all holes, ensuring they support at least twice the weight of the worker, equipment, and materials combined.
Secure covers in place, mark them clearly, and inform workers about the meaning of the markings or color codings used.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

21-7. Guardrails must have a vertical height of _____ from the upper surface of the toprail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level.

45 inches

42 +/- 3 inches

at least 43 inches

40 +/- 2 inches

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 21-8 (d.–f.).

21-8. General Requirements. (d.–f.).

d.  Guardrail Systems (Passive Fall Protection System).  To be considered an effective fall protection system, guardrail systems must be installed to meet the requirements of paragraph 21-8.d.  If deficiencies in the system are identified, the system must be corrected before personnel are exposed to the fall hazard(s), or another fall protection system must be implemented to provide the necessary protection from exposure to the fall hazard(s).  A standard guardrail system must meet the following (see chapter 19 for marine and floating plant guardrails):  (21-8.d)

(1)  Toprails, midrails, and posts, and must have a vertical height of 42 +/- 3 inches (106.7 cm +/- 7.6 cm) from the upper surface of the toprail to the floor, platform, runway, or ramp level.

(2)  Erect midrails halfway between the toprails and the floor, platform, runway, or ramp.

(3)  The ends of the toprails and midrails must not overhang the terminal posts except where such overhang does not create a projection hazard.

(4)  Provide toe-boards on all open sides and ends at locations where persons are required or permitted to pass or work under the elevated platform, or where needed to prevent persons and material from falling from the elevated platform.

(a)  Toe-boards must be, at minimum, 3.5 inches (9 cm) in vertical height. Construct them from 1 inch x 4 inches (2.5 cm x 10.2 cm) lumber or the equivalent.

(b)  Securely fasten toe-boards in place so there is no more than one-quarter (¼) inch (0.6 cm) clearance above floor level.

(c)  Construct toe-boards of any substantial material, either solid or with openings between adjacent pieces not greater than 1 inch (2.5 cm).

(d)  Where material is piled to such a height that a standard toe-board does not provide protection, provide paneling or screening from floor to toprail or midrail.

(e)  Toe-boards must support a force of at least 50 pounds (0.22 kN) applied in any outward or downward direction at any point along the toe-board.

(5)  Posts. Space posts no more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart.  Install supporting posts at whatever distance is necessary to meet the top rail strength requirement of
    200 pounds (0.89 kN) without failure.  (See 29 CFR 1910, Subpart D)

(6)  Guardrail systems must be smooth surfaced to prevent injury to a worker from punctures or lacerations and to prevent snagging of clothing.

(7)  Do not use synthetic or natural fiber ropes as toprails or midrails.

(8)  Commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS), engineered guardrail systems may be used instead of constructing a system.  If a COTS system is installed, design and manufacture the portable guardrail system (for example, webbing, straps) to meet the same requirements in paragraph 21-8.d.  The employer is still responsible for ensuring the system used is approved, completed, installed, and used as designed.

(9)  Strength Requirements.  Design toprails and midrails to meet the following strength requirements:

(a)  Toprail must be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least
        200 pounds (0.9 kN) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge.

(b)  When the previously stated force (that is, 200 pounds within 2 inches (0.9 kN within 5.1 cm)) is applied to the toprail in a downward direction, the top edge of the top rail must not deflect more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) nor to a height less than 39 inches (99 cm) above the walking or working level.

(c)  Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members must withstand, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (0.67 kN) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member.

(d)  Provide guardrails receiving heavy stresses from workers trucking or handling materials with additional strength by using heavier stock, closer spacing of posts, bracing, or by other means.

(10)  Minimum Construction Materials for Standard Guardrail Components.  The following guidelines may be used as a starting point for designing a guardrail system, however, the employer is still responsible for designing and assembling these components in such a way that the completed system meets the requirements of this paragraph 21-8.d.

(a)  Wood railings. Wood railing components must be minimum 1,500 lb-ft/in2
(10,342 kPa) fiber (that is, stress grade) construction grade lumber.

(a-1)  Toprails.  Constructed using at least 2 inches x 4 inches (5.1 cm x 10.2 cm)
            lumber.

(a-2)  Midrails.  Constructed using at least 1 inch x 6 inches (2.5 cm x 15.2 cm)
            lumber.

(a-3)  Posts. Constructed using at least 2 inches x 4 inches (5.1 cm x 10.2 cm).

(b)  Structural steel railings.

(b-1)  Toprails and midrails.  At least 2 inches x 2 inches x 3/8 inch (5.1 cm x 5.1 cm x 0.9 cm) angles.

(b-2)  Posts. At least 2 inches x 2 inches x 3/8 inch (5.1 cm x 5.1 cm x 0.9 cm)
            angles spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) on centers.

(c-1)  Toprails and midrails must be at minimum, one-quarter (¼) inch (0.6 cm) steel cable and flagged every 6 feet (1.8 m) with high visibility material.  Tension the cables so there is not more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) deflection, in any direction from the center line, under a 200 pounds (0.89 kN) load.

(c-2)  Locate support posts to ensure proper tension is maintained.

(c-3)  Perimeter safety cables must meet the criteria and requirements for guardrail systems.  If the perimeter safety cables are used by the workers as a method of attaching a lanyard to the cables, then they must meet the requirements of HLL System.  (See para 21-8.c)

(11)  Hoist Areas. When guardrails are used at hoisting areas, erect a minimum
    6 feet (1.8 m) of guardrail on each side of the access point through which materials are hoisted.

(a)  A gate or removable guardrail section may be used as long as it meets the standard guardrail height 42 +/- 3 inches (106.7 +/- 7.6 cm) and is secured across the opening between the guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place.

(b)  During hoisting operations, if a segment or side of the railing system is required to be left open for easy access at an unprotected side, edge, or hatch, use self- closing swing gates, chain, removable guardrail section or PFAS and restraint system to protect personnel from falling.

e.  Existing Parapet Walls (Passive Fall Protection Systems).  To be considered an effective fall protection method, parapet walls must be 42 +/- 3 inches
(106.7 +/– 7.6 cm) in height.  If the height of an existing parapet does not meet the appropriate height requirements, consider installing a guardrail system to provide the necessary protection, or use another method of fall protection.  (21-8.e)

f.  Covers (Passive Fall Protection Systems).  Install covers on all holes.  (21-8.f)

(1)  Covers must support at least twice the weight of the worker, equipment, and material combined.

Note.  Consider all equipment and material (for example, aerial lifts, rolling scaffolds) in the workplace when designing covers.

(2)  Secure covers in place and clearly marked with the word “HOLE,” “COVER,” or “Danger, Roof Opening-Do Not Remove,” color-code them, or use an equivalent method (for example, red or orange “X”).  Inform all workers of the meaning of the color coding and equivalent methods.