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Smooth surfaces on sectionalized rail systems

Summary A construction company asked whether sectionalized rail systems met OSHA's smooth top-rail requirement. OSHA said the submitted designs appeared to meet it if their surfaces had no projections or irregularities that could injure hands. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1979-05-30
Date issued
May 30, 1979
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Guardrails Hand Protection
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 30, 1979

Mr. Robert D. Brent
Chief Draftsman
Custodis Construction Co.
Research - Cottrell
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Brent:

This is in response to your inquiry addressed to our Chicago Regional Office concerning sectionalized rail systems. This also confirms a telephone conversation between you and a member of my staff.

In 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1), there is a requirement that the top rail of a standard railing be smooth-surfaced throughout the length of the railing. This means that the surface of the rail regardless of the shape shall be free from projections or irregularities that could injure employees' hands.

The sectionalized rail systems depicted in drawings 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B free from projections or irregularities that could be injurious to hands appear to meet the smooth-surfaced requirement in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1).

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

Sincerely,

Grover C. Wrenn Director,
Federal Compliance
and State Programs

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