Minimum Gap Width for Guardrail

[Boiler106]

Does anyone have a reference for OSHA in the US for the minimum gap width required to have guardrail protect?

I have an industrial platform abutting a cold formed wall with a 5 1/2" gap and we're trying to figure out if we need to close this gap off. The steel platform has a perimeter kick plate.

Thanks!

 

[jayrod12]

To me it feels like the kick plate would be a tripping hazard without a guardrail anyway.

 

[wannabeSE]

Not identical to your circumstance, but an older OSHA interpretation allows a 4" gap between two guardrails

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=22312

 

[Once20036]

The last time I asked our OSHA guru, I rec'd the following response:

"The way (an OSHA Consultant and former OSHA Inspector) described this at (the job) was that a worker could accidentally step into the gap and twist an ankle or cause some other injury if the gap is in the 4” range. I have not found an interpretation letter from OSHA that supports this, but I believe the final determination was that a gap as large as 12” would be considered a de minimis violation provided a toeboard was provided at the opening, because a person could not fall to the level below, although would probably get hurt if they stepped over the toeboard. Larger gaps can be accommodated if a railing is provided along with the toeboard.

This is not an official OSHA statement, just the interpretation from one of my coworkers.

 

[wannabeSE]

Perhaps Boiler106 can clarify the question. I assumed the question concerned a gap between the end of a guardrail and a wall.

 

[Boiler106]

the gap is parallel to the wall and platform edge.

 

[dik]

In these environs, if the space is accessible to the public, then the guard cannot pass a 4" sphere. If an industrial setting the normat intermediate rail, handrail is acceptable.

Dik

 

[SAIL3]

using common sense in interpreting OSHA can be tricky..that said...I would really struggle with having to add a handrail along that edge to address the 5 1/2" gap unless there was a requirement for having handrail on both sides of the platform, irregardless of the gap....if there is no such requirement then I probably would use a modified kick-pl...say use a angle with an outstanding leg of 3 or 4" instead of a handrail.....

 

[MotorCity]

I think OSHA has floor opening size requirements when protection is required (based on area and/or dimensions of opening). If it were me, I would do something if the opening was wider than your boot/shoe. My first preference would be to close the gap with a plate or angle, otherwise add a guardrail...it will be cheaper than a lawsuit.