Industrial safety standards

1910.23(e)(2) – Design requirements for mobile ladder stands. The employer must ensure: 

1910.23(e)(2)(ii) – Mobile ladder stands with a top step height above 10 feet (3 m) have the top step protected on three sides by a handrail with a vertical height of at least 36 inches (91 cm); and top steps that are 20 inches (51 cm) or more, front to back, have a midrail and toeboard. Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used instead of handrails in special-use applications 

1910.23(e)(3) – Design requirements for mobile ladder stand platforms. The employer must ensure: 

1910.23(e)(3)(iii) – All ladder stand platforms with a platform height above 10 feet (3 m) have guardrails and toeboards on the exposed sides and ends of the platform. 

1910.29(k) – Protection from falling objects. 

1910.29(k)(1) – The employers must ensure toeboards used for falling object protection: 

1910.29(k)(1)(i) – Are erected along the exposed edge of the overhead walking-working surface for a length that is sufficient to protect employees below. 

1910.29(k)(1)(ii) – Have a minimum vertical height of 3.5 inches (9 cm) as measured from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking-working surface. 

1910.29(k)(1)(iii) – Do not have more than a 0.25-inch (0.5-cm) clearance or opening above the walking-working surface. 

1910.29(k)(1)(iv) – Are solid or do not have any opening that exceeds 1 inch (3 cm) at its greatest dimension. 

1910.29(k)(1)(v) – Have a minimum height of 2.5 inches (6 cm) when used around vehicle repair, service, or assembly pits. Toeboards may be omitted around vehicle repair, service, or assembly pits when the employer can demonstrate that a toeboard would prevent access to a vehicle that is over the pit. 

1910.29(k)(1)(vi) – Are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the toeboard. 

1926.451(h) – Falling object protection. 

1926.451(h)(1) – In addition to wearing hardhats each employee on a scaffold shall be provided with additional protection from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects through the installation of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems, or through the erection of debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy structures that contain or deflect the falling objects. When the falling objects are too large, heavy or massive to be contained or deflected by any of the above-listed measures, the employer shall place such potential falling objects away from the edge of the surface from which they could fall and shall secure those materials as necessary to prevent their falling. 

1926.451(h)(2) – Where there is a danger of tools, materials, or equipment falling from a scaffold and striking employees below, the following provisions apply: 

1926.451(h)(2)(i) – The area below the scaffold to which objects can fall shall be barricaded, and employees shall not be permitted to enter the hazard area; or 

1926.451(h)(2)(ii) – A toeboard shall be erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower levels for a distance sufficient to protect employees below, except on float (ship) scaffolds where an edging of ¾ × 1½ inch (2 × 4 cm) wood or equivalent may be used in lieu of toeboards; 

1926.451(h)(4) – Where used, toeboards shall be: 

1926.451(h)(4)(i) – Capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 n) applied in any downward or horizontal direction at any point along the toeboard (toeboards built in accordance with appendix A to this subpart will be deemed to meet this requirement); and 

1926.451(h)(4)(ii) – At least three and one-half inches (9 cm) high from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking/working surface. Toeboards shall be securely fastened in place at the outermost edge of the platform and have not more than ¼ inch (0.7 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. Toeboards shall be solid or with openings not over one inch (2.5 cm) in the greatest dimension. 

1926.501(b)(11) – Steep roofs. Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. 

1926.501(c)(1) – Erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling from higher levels 

1926.502(j) – Protection from falling objects. Falling object protection shall comply with the following provisions: 

1926.502(j)(1) – Toeboards, when used as falling object protection, shall be erected along the edge of the overhead walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect employees below. 

1926.502(j)(2) – Toeboards shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the toeboard. 

1926.502(j)(3) – Toeboards shall be a minimum of 3½ inches (9 cm) in vertical height from their top edge to the level of the walking/working surface. They shall have not more than ¼ inch (0.6 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. They shall be solid or have openings not over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in greatest dimension. 

1926.759(b) – Protection from falling objects other than materials being hoisted. The controlling contractor shall bar other construction processes below steel erection unless overhead protection for the employees below is provided.