Any work platform which is 4 feet or more above a lower level must have guardrails. Guardrails must have a height of at least 42 inches on every open side. The guardrails must be capable of withstanding 200 pounds of force.
Each platform greater than 10 feet in length shall not extend over its support more than 18 inches (46 cm), unless it is designed and installed so that the cantilevered portion of the platform is able to support employees without tipping, or has guardrails which block employee access to the cantilevered end.
No mobile ladder stand or platform moves when an employee is on it. The standing area of mobile ladder stands is within the base frame. All ladder stand platforms with a platform height above 10 feet (3 m) have guardrails and toeboards on the exposed sides and ends of the platform.
Riser height shall be from 6 to 7.5 inches (15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of 22 inches (55.88 cm) between vertical barriers, tread depth a minimum of 12±2 inches (30.48±5.08 cm), and tread nosing shall be straight leading edges. Stair landings shall be at least 20 inches (50.8 cm) in depth.
The treads need to be spaced evenly apart with a rise of 9.5 inches or less. Treads should be a minimum of 9.5 inches deep and have a clear width of 22 inches or more. OSHA requires that any platform has a safe means of access and egress. This means that you need to have a stair or a ladder to gain access to platforms.
The "27 Rule" for stairs is a helpful guideline for determining comfortable stair dimensions. According to this rule, the sum of the riser height and the tread depth should equal 27 inches. For example, if the riser height is 7 inches, the tread depth should be 10 inches.
(b) Two means of egress shall be provided from any elevated platform 10 feet (3.05 m) or more above the floor or ground level, on fired processing equipment, or which serves or is connected to three or more vessels, and from which employees must perform operating duties, and when the lack of the second means would ...
(v) Wood platforms shall not be covered with opaque finishes, except that platform edges may be covered or marked for identification. Platforms may be coated periodically with wood preservatives, fire-retardant finishes, and slip-resistant finishes; however, the coating may not obscure the top or bottom wood surfaces.
Platform Ladders are not to be used as Single Ladders or in the partially open position. In order to prevent tipping the ladder over sideways due to over-reaching, the user must climb or work with the body near the middle of the steps or platform. The ladder should be set-up close to the work.
OSHA requires guardrails on any landing that is 4 feet or more above a lower level, just like with standard general industry requirements.
Wear a safety harness that is fixed to a platform attachment point. Maintain three-point contact (one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot) when getting on or off the platform. Maintain firm footing on the platform. Look in the direction of travel and make sure that the path is firm and level.
Examples of OSHA standards include require- ments to provide fall protection, prevent trenching cave-ins, prevent exposure to some infectious diseases, ensure the safety of workers who enter confined spaces, prevent exposure to such harmful substances as asbestos and lead, put guards on machines, provide respirators or ...
Platform means a walking-working surface that is elevated above the surrounding area. Portable ladder means a ladder that can readily be moved or carried, and usually consists of side rails joined at intervals by steps, rungs, or cleats.
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(6) prohibits the use of photo-grey lenses for safety glasses at inside work locations which have variable lighting conditions, because the variable tint lenses would cause temporary vision impairment when the light changes from bright to dim or vice versa in the work area.
The A92 standards from ANSI and the Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) aim to help manufacturers, employers, operators, trainers, dealers/distributors, owners, regulators and other stakeholders ensure that these devices are designed and manufactured correctly, operated safely and maintained properly.
What are scaffold platform construction requirements? Each platform must be planked and decked as fully as possible with the space between the platform and uprights not more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) wide.
The tops of platforms and parallels are usually made of 3/4 plywood. CDX is usually sufficient, although occasionally AC or BC may be used instead if appearance matters.
(b) Where aisles or walkways are required, machinery equipment, parts, and stock shall be so arranged and spaced as to provide clear walkways or aisles of not less than 24 inches in width and 6 feet 8 inches clear headroom to a safe means of egress from the building.
The minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders must be 11.5 inches (29 cm). edge of a landing area must be no less than 7 inches (18 cm) and no more than 12 inches (30 cm). A landing platform must be provided if the step-across distance exceeds 12 inches (30 cm).
Mezzanines are permanent structures built into a physical structure like an office or warehouse. Equipment platforms, on the other hand, are freestanding. As you might imagine, the building permit approval process is often far more stringent for permanent mezzanines than for freestanding equipment platforms.
Outdoor exit routes are permitted but must meet the minimum height and width requirement for indoor exit routes and must − have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists; − be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate, unless the employer can demonstrate accumulations will be removed before a ...
The general rule for standard stair dimensions that is accepted by many general contractors and stair designers across the United States is known as the “7-11” rule. This means the rise is 7 inches and the run is 11 inches.
International Residential Code (IRC)
The IRC stairs code states that, to comply with stairway requirements, the minimum width for residential stairs be no less than 36 inches. The stair riser code is up to 7.75 inches, and can not vary more than 3/8 of an inch.
The old-fashioned rule was that a lady would precede the gentleman up the stairs in case she were to fall -- ensuring that he could then assist her.