If OSHA conflicts with IBC which one to use?

[delagina]

Are there industries preferred to use Osha over Ibc, vice versa? Say industrial vs commercial.

Handrail requirement per Ibc is 30 in. OSHA is either 4 or 6 feet.

 

[delagina]

Nevermind. I googled it. it's Ibc if accessible to public. Osha if only company employees will follow it.

 

[sbisteel]

Can you share what source you found for that answer? I've gotten into the same argument (and I agree with your position) and lost a few times.

 

[JStephen]

I'm not sure what handrail requirement you're talking about. But generally, OSHA would apply to any workplace, accessible to the public or not, and IBC would apply where the local building code required the structure to conform to it. It's not an either/or situation.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Agreed with JStephen. My understanding is that if it's a workplace then both OSHA and IBC apply. The key is to distinguish between the requirements for fall protection guards at open edges, and grabrails/handrails at stairways and ramps. My understanding is that there's two requirements here, IBC requires a handrail at 34"-38" (stairs) but requires guardrails at 42" minimum (with some exceptions). Then OSHA requires guards at 42" (where did you get 6 feet from?).

So, if you have a stairway at a workplace then you need to have both a continuous handrail with all the handrail requirement (clearance, grab diamemter, no posts, etc.) and you also require a guard rail at 42". If you have a opening or edge which requires fall protection then you only need the 42" guardrail.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[BamaStrucPESE]

I'm not positive, but I think dela means the change in elevation where a handrail is required, 4' change to lower platform.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Oh I see BamaStrucPE, that makes much more sense.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[delagina]

4 feet and 6 feet from OSHA came from here

1926.501(b)(1)
"Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

1910.23(c)(1)
Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,
(i) Persons can pass,
(ii)There is moving machinery, or
(iii)There is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Yep, for some reason I got in my head that you were talking about handrail and guardrail heights, not the heights when guardrails where required.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[BamaStrucPESE]

To answer the original question, I would think IBC will control in commercial projects or when drawings are submitted to obtain a construction permit. In industrial, where a building permit isn't always obtained, I would want to check the clients standards and see what they require.