Osha Roof Parapet Height

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.

Osha roof parapet height.

Lay headers sheets of roofing or other materials no closer than 5 feet inside the edges of the roof and parallel to the roofline. However i have seen inspectors require some sort of guard at the roof edge that meets the minimum height requirements of 42 inches. 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. 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.

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. This allows construction applications more leeway in setting up osha compliant guardrail. 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. 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.

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. Unfortunately many buildings get close to this height without quite meeting the height required by osha to provide fall protection. Being that this just an outlet there is no technical code requirement for fall protection via the guard. Install warning lines no closer than 5 feet inside the roof edges and at a height of 34 to 45 inches.

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. The top rails of a guardrail system must be 39 to 45 inches above the walking working surface 29 cfr 1926 502 b 1. A parapet height of 29 inches where employees are exposed to falls from a roof does not comply with the height requirement in 29 cfr 1910 23 e 1 and can not be considered acceptable by osha.

Ibc guardrail opening limitations. You would only need a guard at the roof if there is a roof hatch within 10 feet of the buildings edge.