Osha Roof Parapet Height

Intermediate structural members for example midrails or screens must be installed when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches high 29 cfr 1926 502 b 2.

Osha roof parapet height.

When conditions warrant the height of the top edge may exceed the 45 inch height provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of this paragraph. However i have seen inspectors require some sort of guard at the roof edge that meets the minimum height requirements of 42 inches. Being that this just an outlet there is no technical code requirement for fall protection via the guard. Osha construction regulations require guardrails for elevated work 6 feet or more above the ground to be a height of 42 inches 1 1 m plus or minus 3 inches 8 cm 29 cfr 1926 502 b 1 www osha gov pls oshaweb owa disp show document p id 10758 p table standards.

Install warning lines no closer than 5 feet inside the roof edges and at a height of 34 to 45 inches. Osha guardrail height requirements osha also requires a top rail at 42 above the working working surface but allows for some flexibility of 3 inches from the 42. There are several solutions to help you raise the height of your parapet that are cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. In order for a roof parapet to provide adequate fall protection a roof parapet railing should be at least 42 in height.

Unfortunately many buildings get close to this height without quite meeting the height required by osha to provide fall protection. The top rails of a guardrail system must be 39 to 45 inches above the walking working surface 29 cfr 1926 502 b 1. Osha 1910 29 b contains system requirements that employers must follow to ensure guardrail systems will protect workers from falling to lower levels. You would only need a guard at the roof if there is a roof hatch within 10 feet of the buildings edge.

1910 29 b 1 the top edge height of top rails or equivalent guardrail system members are 42 inches 107 cm plus or minus 3 inches 8 cm above the walking working surface. Ibc guardrail opening limitations. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches 114 cm provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph b of this section see figure d 11 below. Place warning lines and headers around the entire roof perimeter.

If a parapet wall is a minimum of 30 high and the height plus the width of the wall is a least 48 then it was determined that the fall hazard was removed and this was a compliant method to protect construction employees. This allows construction applications more leeway in setting up osha compliant guardrail.