![]() (ii) A toeboard shall be erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower levels for a distance sufficient to protect employees below, except on float (ship) scaffolds where an edging of ¾ x 1½ inch (2x4 cm) wood or equivalent may be used in lieu of toeboards (i) The area below the scaffold to which objects can fall shall be barricaded, and employees shall not be permitted to enter the hazard area or (2) Where there is a danger of tools, materials, or equipment falling from a scaffold and striking employees below, the following provisions apply If there are no objects near the gate or chain, are toeboards required?Īnswer: Section 1926.451(h) ( falling object protection) of Subpart L contains provisions requiring the use of toeboards in certain instances. ![]() This practice both creates a tripping hazard and is pointless in a passageway area where materials are not stored. Question 1(b): I have also seen toeboards installed along the same edge of scaffold platforms where gates or chains are being used to provide points of access for ladders. These alternatives either require the use of personal fall arrest systems by exposed employees or the use of gates, removable rails or chains (that must remain closed when not in use) at the point of access. However, as indicated in the Directive and in the Dahl letter, several viable alternatives to provide access onto scaffolds from ladders do exist. Specifically, practices that either create a gap in or eliminate a portion (either midrail or toprail) of the guardrail violate the requirement to provide either personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems at heights of more than 10 feet. While the OSHA scaffold standard does not specifically address the access practices you describe, they are prohibited pursuant to the general fall protection provision. In the absence of a gate or similar device, personal fall protection would have to be used to protect those working near the opening. When gates are used, they must remain closed when not in use. Dahl, dated February 23, 2000, OSHA responded to a similar question regarding the removal of a portion of a scaffold guardrail to allow employees access underneath the guardrail where the ladder is located: If you want to remove a portion of the midrail and/or toprail to facilitate access, you must replace the removed components with a gate or similar device. (2) Gates, removable rails or chains across the point of access are preferred. ![]() (1) There is no consensus with regard to climbing over or through guardrails therefore OSHA has not adopted a rule prohibiting the practice. The revised standard does not specifically prohibit climbing over or through a guardrail. (vii) For all scaffolds not otherwise specified in of this section, each employee shall be protected by the use of personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems meeting the requirements of paragraph of this section. The fall protection requirements for Subpart L are set forth in §1926.451(g) and provide in part: (1) Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. ![]() Are these practices permissible at heights where fall protection is required under Subpart L-Scaffolds?Īnswer: No. 2 It is also common to see 3-foot gaps in the guardrail on either side of the ladder at the landing surface or the absence of a midrail or toprail in the same vicinity, in order to facilitate access from the ladder onto the scaffold. Question 1(a): On construction sites, it is common practice to use ladders to access scaffolds. We have paraphrased your questions regarding guardrails and toeboards as follows: 1 We are responding in a series of separate letters this is the eighth in that series. You have submitted nine letters to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) containing a number of questions on the construction scaffold standard (29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart L). Re: Applicability of scaffold fall protection requirements to guardrails near ladder access areas on scaffolds toeboards across ladder access areas §1926.451(g) and 1926.451(h)
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