Osha Roof Parapet Height

Osha 1910 29 b contains system requirements that employers must follow to ensure guardrail systems will protect workers from falling to lower levels.

Osha roof parapet height.

This allows construction applications more leeway in setting up osha compliant guardrail. 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. 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. You would only need a guard at the roof if there is a roof hatch within 10 feet of the buildings edge.

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. Ibc guardrail opening limitations. The top rails of a guardrail system must be 39 to 45 inches above the walking working surface 29 cfr 1926 502 b 1.

There are several solutions to help you raise the height of your parapet that are cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. 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. Being that this just an outlet there is no technical code requirement for fall protection via the guard. However i have seen inspectors require some sort of guard at the roof edge that meets the minimum height requirements of 42 inches.

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. Osha construction regulations require guardrails for elevated work 6 feet or more above the ground to be a height of 42 inches 1 1 m plus or minus 3 inches 8 cm 29 cfr 1926 502 b 1 www osha gov pls oshaweb owa disp show document p id 10758 p table standards. Install warning lines no closer than 5 feet inside the roof edges and at a height of 34 to 45 inches. Place warning lines and headers around the entire roof perimeter.

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. Lay headers sheets of roofing or other materials no closer than 5 feet inside the edges of the roof and parallel to the roofline.