Strength criterion for guardrail top rails

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

December 3, 1975

Mr. Ralph W. McMickle
Senior Structures Engineer
Ford, Bacon & Davis Construction Corporation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. McMickle:

This is in response to your letter of April 23, 1975, addressed to Mr. Jim Powell, Area Director, New Orleans, Louisiana regarding OSHA requirements for railings. In addition, it confirms your telephone conversation with a member of my staff.

Your basic question requesting an interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(v) has been reviewed, especially the (b) part of (v), which reads "A strength to withstand at least the minimum requirement of 200 pounds top rail pressure." The minimum requirement of 200 pounds top rail pressure refers to 1910.23(e)(3)(iv), which reads "The anchoring of parts and framing of members for railings of all types shall be of such construction that the completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 200 pounds applied in any direction at any point on the top rail."

There are no specific guidelines for relating the 200 pounds strength requirement to a stress design criteria. The yield strength of a material is a good guide, providing the railing protecting the employee is in compliance with the above 1910.23(e)(3)(iv) standard.

If I may be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

John K. Barto, Chief
Division of Occupational
Safety Programming