Guardrails are protective, stationary structures that prevent workers from falling off a working platform. Guardrail systems are standard on construction sites and may resemble a gate or safety rail.
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According to health and safety regulations, these safety gates are required, and users of scaffolds and employers must ensure these rails are correctly installed for protection.
What are the advantages of using guardrails on a scaffolding system for greater safety? They offer increased stability for various applications, whether you install rails on a flat roof for roof fall protection or as a parapet on a terrace or balcony. Guardrails are your first line of defense against falling from height. OSHA requires that scaffold 10’ or higher off the ground or base floor be guard railed on all open sides 14” or more from solid vertical surfaces.
There are several benefits to consider when you use guardrail systems on your scaffolding structure:
Guardrail systems are a significant component of a personal fall arrest system, which works effectively with personal protection equipment, such as head protection and hand protection, so workers can access all site areas, including confined spaces, with safety measures in place.
When you select the right guardrail system for your scaffold, it’s essential to consider various project characteristics, including height and weight requirements, the job site conditions, the environment, the type of work you’ll need to be done, and the access levels.
Standard guardrails systems can be affixed to flooring, or a similar platform surface, with base plates, though you’ll find that variations to this diversified fall protection structure should be considered for your application, to ensure a safe, stable, and efficient working environment:
It’s essential to have an experienced, knowledgeable installer on site to ensure your guardrails are installed safely to meet the regulations and prevent breakage, accidents, or injuries.
It’s essential to get familiar with the components of a guardrail system and their various types of design. Three main parts create a guardrail: the vertical posts, mid rails, and the top rails. All these components must be adequately spaced, with the correct height requirements, so that they can provide fall protection, as required.
Guardrails must withstand a force of at least two hundred pounds, in any direction, along the top rail. Other parts of guardrail systems, such as mesh, screens, solid panels, and mid-rails, must similarly withstand pressure or force of at least one hundred fifty pounds. All rails must have a smooth surface to protect personnel from injury from getting caught on a jagged edge or from punctures.
It’s essential to install your guardrail systems correctly to provide safety in compliance with health and safety regulations.
There are specific guidelines that must be followed so that they remain safe and secure for the duration of the project:
Guardrails are stationary systems that protect individuals at heights by operating as a safety barrier where exposure to fall hazards cannot be eliminated. These solutions are commonly used on roofs, stairwells and platforms and are designed with the height, strength, spacing, length and proximity necessary for preventing falls.
Guardrails are essential in a wide array of job sites, such as construction sites, warehouses, shipping facilities and any workplace with an accessible rooftop. These fixed protection systems deliver many vital functions and advantages to companies and workers alike.
First and foremost, guardrails are crucial in preventing workers from falling at height. These structures provide the protections necessary for minimizing the risks of falls, reducing workplace injuries and preventing worker deaths.
Roof Guardrails are engineered with many elements in mind to ensure optimal fall protection, such as:
Height: Guardrails must reach high enough to prevent workers from falling over the tops of them.
Strength: Guardrails are built strong enough to withstand the force of one or more people leaning or pushing up against them, along with any tools and materials that may collide with the rails.
Spacing: Rooftop safety systems have evenly spaced posts that are close enough together to prevent individuals from falling in between them. This rule applies to guardrails with horizontal or vertical posts.
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Proximity: All roof guardrails are positioned as close to the open edge of a platform as possible to provide the highest level of protection.
Length: Guardrails extend along the full length of any unprotected or open edge to minimize fall exposure.
Materials: Rail structures comprise durable materials like wood and metal and provide a smooth, nonabrasive surface that does not snag on clothing or cut the skin.
In addition to keeping workers safe, roof guardrails also help companies comply with federal safety regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workplaces provide fall protection at elevations of 4 feet in general industry workplaces and 6 feet in the construction industry. Fall protection is also required for individuals working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of height.
OSHA has put various rules in place that specifically call for the use of guardrails. Employers must adhere to all of the following regulations to prevent fall-related accidents and injuries:
Guard any floor hole into which workers could fall by using a railing and toe-board or floor hole cover.
Use guardrails and toe-boards over dangerous machines and components.
Install guardrails and toe-boards over every elevated, open-sided floor, platform or runway.
While compliance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines isn’t required by law, adhering to these standards is strongly encouraged, as they are widely recognized as the minimum requirement for safety.
Guardrails help organizations comply with the ANSI/ASSP Z359.1- Fall Protection Code, which addresses processes used to protect workers at height in managed fall protection programs, such as program management, training, equipment, system design and component and system specifications. Using roof guardrails to comply with ANSI standards alongside OSHA regulations results in maximum fall protection and worker safety.
Various forms of fall protection require extensive training and preparation to use properly, such as lanyards, safety harnesses, rope grabs and fall restriction systems. Roof Guardrails eliminate the need for employee training while still providing maximum protection. These fall prevention solutions don’t require any specific knowledge or practice to use — once they’re installed, they’re ready to go. Because companies don’t have to train their employees to use guardrails, they can save time and money.
The guardrail installation process is fast and easy, causing minimal downtime for your company. With the right fall protection system provider, you can begin using your guardrails in as little as a few days after purchase.
Some of the most reliable and efficient companies can deliver components in as little as one to two days with minimum lead times and easy handling. And because guardrail systems come with all the parts and hardware needed for assembly, your solutions can be assembled in only a few hours. In addition, guardrail installation typically requires only two installers, saving you on labor costs and letting you put that money toward other areas of your business.
Professionally installed roof guardrail systems require minimal maintenance, meaning once your structures have been installed, your work is essentially done. All you have to do is deliver annual maintenance checks to ensure your rails remain safe and functional. OSHA instructs that any damaged or broken equipment is reported and removed promptly.
There are various types of guardrails to choose from when equipping your roof with a fall protection system, enabling you to select a structure that best suits your application and safety needs. Roof Guardrails are available in numerous styles and configurations and often include additional components like toe-boards, walkways, mats and warning systems. You can also purchase them in various colors and finishes, whether you’re looking for safety yellow or a custom shade.
While all guardrails will do their part to protect your workers from harm, it’s important to know which systems will offer the highest level of protection for your specific needs and requirements.
Every guardrail type is designed for a different use case. You can determine which guardrail product is your ideal fit by evaluating the characteristics and applications of each.
Internal wall mounts provide maximum levels of passive safety in internal wall mount applications. These guardrails are designed to deliver fall protection around the roof perimeter and safeguard any equipment, machinery or unprotected fall edges positioned on the rooftop. They are modular systems that mount to the internal sides of parapet walls with tight tolerances. Internal wall mounts are suitable for permanent applications and feature discreet attachments that are not visible from the ground.
Kattsafe GR31 Internal Wall Mount Guardrails are lightweight structures comprising high-tensile aluminum. These modular systems facilitate infinite configurations and can be customized to suit your specific site and application requirements. Their posts are designed to be positioned a maximum of 8 feet on center and facilitate fast and simple installation. These guardrails come in a standard mill finish but are available in custom colors, such as yellow, black, bronze and almond. Kattsafe GR31 internal wall mounts are OSHA compliant.
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