What should handrail heights be

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1910.29(d) (cont.) Covers. The employer must ensure each cover for a hole in a walking-working surface: - 1910.29(e)(1) Is capable of supporting without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time; and 1910.29(e)(2) - Is secured to prevent accidental displacement. - 1910.29(f) Handrails and stair rail systems. The employer must ensure: ## 1910.29(f)(1) Height criteria. 1910.29(f)(1)(i) Handrails are not less than 30 inches (76 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm), as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the handrail (see Figure D-12 of this section). 1910.29(f)(1)(ii) The height of stair rail systems meets the following: ## 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(A). The height of stair rail systems installed before January 17, 2017 is not less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail; and ## 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B) The height of stair rail systems installed on or after January 17, 2017 is not less than 42 inches (107 cm) from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail. 1910.29(f)(1)(iii) The top rail of a stair rail system may serve as a handrail only when: ## 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A) The height of the stair rail system is not less than 36 inches (91 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm) as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail (see Submit Feedback

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# PART J-1 WORKING SURFACES, GUARDING FLOORS AND WALL OPENINGS (cont.) ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Handrail, stair rail, and guardrail system requirements. (cont.) Chapter 296-24 WAC General Safety and Health Standards Part J-1 Working Surfaces, Guarding Floors and Wall Openings 30IN - 38IN (76CM - 97CM) Figure D-12 - Handrail Measurement (b) The height of stair rail systems meets the following: (i) The height of stair rail systems installed before June 1, 2020, is not less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail; and (ii) The height of stair rail systems installed on or after June 1, 2020, is not less than 42 inches (107 cm) from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail. This 42 inch height requirement intentionally conflicts with the requirement above the handrail heights be between 30 to 38 inches above the stair tread. Handrails and stair rails constructed after the effective date above must be separate (see Figure D-13b of this section). (c) The top rail of a stair rail system installed before June 1, 2020, may serve as a handrail only when: (i) The height of the stair rail system is not less than 36 inches (91 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm) as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail (see Figure D-13a of this section); and (ii) The top rail of the stair rail system meets the other handrail requirements in (f) of this subsection. Part J-1, Page 8

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# Figure D-5 -- Fixed Ladder Clearances (cont.) ## 1910.23(e)(2)(i). Steps are uniformly spaced and arranged, with a rise of not more than 10 inches (25 cm) and a depth of not less than 7 inches (18 cm). The slope of the step stringer to which the steps are attached must not be more than 60 degrees, measured from the horizontal; - 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; and ## 1910.23(e)(2)(iii) The standing area of mobile ladder stands is within the base frame. ## 1910.23(e)(3) Design requirements for mobile ladder stand platforms. The employer must ensure: ## 1910.23(e)(3).(i) Steps of mobile ladder stand platforms meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section. When the employer demonstrates that the requirement is not feasible, steeper slopes or vertical rung ladders may be used, provided the units are stabilized to prevent overturning; ## 1910.23(e)(3)(ii). Mobile ladder stand platforms with a platform height of 4 to 10 feet (1.2 m to 3 m) have, in the platform area, handrails with a vertical height of at least 36 inches (91 cm) and midrails; and - 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. - 1910.23(e)(3)(iv) Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used on mobile ladder stand platforms instead of handrails and guardrails in special-use applications. [39 FR [redacted postal code], June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR [redacted postal code], Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5321, Feb. 10, 1984; 81 FR [redacted postal code]-[redacted postal code],

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# by both a personal fall arrest system and guardrail system; (cont.) ## 1926.451(g)(4) (cont.) be deemed to meet the requirements of paragraphs (g)(4) (vii), (viii), and (ix) of this section): ## 1926.451(g)(4).(i). Guardrail systems shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms. Guardrail systems shall be installed before the scaffold is released for use by employees other than erection/dismantling crews. ## 1926.451(g).(4)(ii) The top edge height of toprails or equivalent member on supported scaffolds manufactured or placed in service after January 1, 2000 shall be installed between 38 inches (0.97 m) and 45 inches (1.2 m) above the platform surface. The top edge height on supported scaffolds manufactured and placed in service before January 1, 2000, and on all suspended scaffolds where both a guardrail and a personal fall arrest system are required shall be between 36 inches (0.9 m) and 45 inches (1.2 m). When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (g)(4). ## 1926.451(g)(4)(iii) When midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent structural members are used, they shall be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the scaffold platform. Submit Feedback - 1926.451(g)(4)(iv) When midrails are used, they shall be installed at a height approximately midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the platform surface. ## 1926.451(g)(4)(v). When screens and mesh are used, they shall extend from the top edge of the guardrail system to the scaffold platform, and along the entire opening between the supports. - 1926.451(g)(4).(vi). When intermediate members (such as balusters or additional rails) are used, they shall not be more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart. 1926.451(g)(4).(vii).

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.1052(a)(4) (cont.) When intermediate vertical members, such as balusters, are used between posts, they shall be not more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart. ## 1926.1052(c)(4)(iv) Other structural members, when used, shall be installed such that there are no openings in the stairrail system that are more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide. ## 1926.1052(c)(5) Handrails and the top rails of stairrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 n) applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge. ## 1926.1052(c)(6) The height of handrails shall be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread. ## 1926.1052(c)(7) When the top edge of a stairrail system also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge shall be not more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stairrail system to the surface of the tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread. - 1926.1052(c)(8) Stairrail systems and handrails shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to employees from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing. - 1926.1052(c)(9) Handrails shall provide an adequate handhold for employees grasping them to avoid falling. - 1926.1052(c)(10) The ends of stairrail systems and handrails shall be constructed so as not to constitute a projection hazard. - 1926.1052(c)(11) Handrails that will not be a permanent part of the structure being built shall have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stairrail systems, and other objects. Submit Feedback