Industrial safety standards

1910.29(b) – Guardrail systems. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: 

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. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (b) of this section.  

1910.29(b)(2) – Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high: 

1910.29(b)(2)(i) – Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface; 

1910.29(b)(2)(ii) – Screens and mesh extend from the walking-working surface to the top rail and along the entire opening between top rail supports; 

1910.29(b)(2)(iii) – Intermediate vertical members (such as balusters) are installed no more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart; and 

1910.29(b)(2)(iv) – Other equivalent intermediate members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide. 

1910.29(b)(3) – Guardrail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, at any point along the top rail. 

1910.29(b)(4) – When the 200-pound (890-N) test load is applied in a downward direction, the top rail of the guardrail system must not deflect to a height of less than 39 inches (99 cm) above the walking-working surface. 

1910.29(b)(5) – Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and other equivalent intermediate members are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (667 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the intermediate member. 

1910.29(b)(6) – Guardrail systems are smooth-surfaced to protect employees from injury, such as punctures or lacerations, and to prevent catching or snagging of clothing. 

1910.29(b)(7) – The ends of top rails and midrails do not overhang the terminal posts, except where the overhang does not pose a projection hazard for employees. 

1910.29(b)(8) – Steel banding and plastic banding are not used for top rails or midrails. 

1910.29(b)(9) – Top rails and midrails are at least 0.25-inches (0.6 cm) in diameter or in thickness. 

1910.29(b)(10) – When guardrail systems are used at hoist areas, a removable guardrail section, consisting of a top rail and midrail, are placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when employees are not performing hoisting operations. The employer may use chains or gates instead of a removable guardrail section at hoist areas if the employer demonstrates the chains or gates provide a level of safety equivalent to guardrails. 

1910.29(b)(11) – When guardrail systems are used around holes, they are installed on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole. 

1910.29(b)(12) – For guardrail systems used around holes through which materials may be passed: 

1910.29(b)(12)(i) – When materials are being passed through the hole, not more than two sides of the guardrail system are removed; and 

1910.29(b)(12)(ii) – When materials are not being passed through the hole, the hole must be guarded by a guardrail system along all unprotected sides or edges or closed over with a cover. 

1910.29(b)(13) – When guardrail systems are used around holes that serve as points of access (such as ladderways), the guardrail system opening: 

1910.29(b)(13)(i) – Has a self-closing gate that slides or swings away from the hole, and is equipped with a top rail and midrail or equivalent intermediate member that meets the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section; or 

1910.29(b)(13)(ii) – Is offset to prevent an employee from walking or falling into the hole; 

1910.29(b)(14) – Guardrail systems on ramps and runways are installed along each unprotected side or edge. 

1910.29(b)(15) – Manila or synthetic rope used for top rails or midrails are inspected as necessary to ensure that the rope continues to meet the strength requirements in paragraphs (b)(3) and (5) of this section. 

Note to paragraph (b) of this section: 
The criteria and practices requirements for guardrail systems on scaffolds are contained in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L. 

1926.502(b) – Guardrail systems. Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions: 

1926.502(b)(1) – Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, shall be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. 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. 
1926.502(b)(2) – Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members shall be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches (53 cm) high. 

1926.502(b)(2)(i) – Midrails, when used, shall be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level. 

1926.502(b)(2)(ii) – Screens and mesh, when used, shall extend from the top rail to the walking/working level and along the entire opening between top rail supports. 

1926.502(b)(2)(iii) – Intermediate members (such as balusters), when used between posts, shall be not more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart. 

1926.502(b)(2)(iv) – Other structural members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) shall be installed such that there are no openings in the guardrail system that are more than 19 inches (.5 m) wide. 

1926.502(b)(3) – Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. 

1926.502(b)(4) – When the 200 pound (890 N) test load specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section is applied in a downward direction, the top edge of the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working level. Guardrail system components selected and constructed in accordance with the appendix B to subpart M of this part will be deemed to meet this requirement. 

1926.502(b)(5) – Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member. 

1926.502(b)(6) – Guardrail systems shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing. 

1926.502(b)(7) – The ends of all top rails and midrails shall not overhang the terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard. 

1926.502(b)(8) – Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be used as top rails or midrails. 

1926.502(b)(9) – Top rails and midrails shall be at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) nominal diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. If wire rope is used for top rails, it shall be flagged at not more than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material. 

1926.502(b)(10) – When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a chain, gate or removable guardrail section shall be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place. 

1926.502(b)(11) – When guardrail systems are used at holes, they shall be erected on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole. 

1926.502(b)(12) – When guardrail systems are used around holes used for the passage of materials, the hole shall have not more than two sides provided with removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. When the hole is not in use, it shall be closed over with a cover, or a guardrail system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges. 

1926.502(b)(13) – When guardrail systems are used around holes which are used as points of access (such as ladderways), they shall be provided with a gate, or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole. 

1926.502(b)(14) – Guardrail systems used on ramps and runways shall be erected along each unprotected side or edge.