Regarding kickplate/ toe board on guard rail 1

[kaffy]

Hello guys,

I recently went to a site and saw a false floor/steel platform/mezzanine ( about 4’ above the floor level without any kickplates. Actually, this is not the first time I have seen a platform with guard rails but without kick plates/toe board. If I recall correctly, we have to have top rail, intermediate rail and a kick plate/toe board if that floor is being used by mechanics etc. for servicing of equipments. Am I missing something here?

Thank You

 

[phamENG]

How old was it? Was it built under the authority of a building department? Does the owner of the facility care?

Lots of things are not built to minimum standards. A lot of industrial complexes are not visited by a building department rep except during initial construction. Want to add a platform later? Sure, just throw something up. Good chance the guardrail doesn't meet minimum standards, either.

Just because it's been done doesn't mean it was done right.

 

[JStephen]

If you are in the US, check the OSHA (or state OSHA) rules pertaining to your installation.

http://www.osha.gov

 

[dauwerda]

This site states that the most recent OSHA standard does not specifically require kickplates with all guardrails as it used to:

https://www.jjkellersafety.com/news-articles/toeboards-and-falling-object-protection

 

[kaffy]

@Dauwerda, actually the building is old and as per the article every platform needed kickplates before....

 

[kaffy]

@PhamEng, yeah that could be the reason.....

 

[kaffy]

@j Thank you.

 

[dauwerda]

As phamENG stated, I would not be surprised at all if it was installed without meeting minimum requirements. But, if OSHA came in and inspected it today, I believe it would be inspected to the current standard (that is possibly a bit more lax in this regard), not the standard that was used when it was built. I know for fixed ladders where standard requirements were increased OSHA is requiring that current installations be brought up to meet the new standards (within specific timeframes).

One other thing that might make it acceptable - you noted that it is about 4 feet above floor level. I believe OSHA only requires guardrails when the platform is above 4 feet. So if your platform were 3'-11" OSHA would not require guardrails or kickplates - providing any of them would be going beyond minimum requirements.