WAC 296-56-60123   Guarding of edges.  (1) Vehicle protection.

     (a) Vehicle curbs, bull rails, or other effective barriers at least six inches (15.24 cm) in height and six inches in width, shall be provided at the waterside edges of aprons and bulkheads, except where vehicles are prohibited. Curbs or bull rails installed after January 1, 1985, shall be at least ten inches (22.9 cm) in height.

     (b) The provisions of (a) of this subsection also apply at the edge of any fixed level above the common floor area from which vehicles may fall, except at loading docks, platforms and skids where cargo is moved by vehicles.

     (2) Employee protection.

     (a) Guardrails shall be provided at locations where employees are exposed to falls of more than four feet from floor or wall openings or waterside edges, including bridges or gangway-like structures leading to pilings, vessel mooring or berthing installations.

     (b) Guardrails are not required:

     (i) At loading platforms and docks;

     (ii) At waterside edges used for cargo or mooring line handling;

     (iii) On the working sides of work platforms, skids, or similar workplaces which abut the work area; or

     (iv) On railroad rolling stock, highway vehicles, intermodal containers, or similar equipment.

     (c) Where guardrails are impractical due to machinery requirements or work processes, an alternate means of fall protection, such as nets, shall be used.

     (3) Criteria for guardrails. Guardrails shall meet the following criteria:

     (a) They shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least two hundred pounds (890 N) applied in any direction at mid-span of the top rail (when used), or at the uppermost point if there is no guard rail.

     (b) If not of solid baluster, grillwork, slatted, or similar construction, guardrails shall consist of top rails and midrails. Midrails, when used, shall be positioned at approximately half the height of the top rail.

     (c) The top surface of guardrails installed before October 3, 1983, shall be at least thirty-six inches (.091 m) high. Those installed after October 3, 1983, shall be forty-two inches (1.07 m) high, plus or minus two inches (5.1 cm), high.

     (d) Any nonrigid railing such as chain or wire rope shall have a maximum sag, at the mid-point between posts, of not more than six inches (15.24 cm).

     (e) Top rails shall be free of sharp edges and maintained in good repair.

     (f) Rail ends shall not overhang. This does not prohibit scrollwork, boxed ends or similar nonhazardous projections.

     (4) Toeboards. Toeboards shall be provided when employees below could be exposed to falling objects such as tools. Toeboards shall be at least three and one-half inches (8.9 cm) in height from top edge to floor level, and be capable of withstanding a force of fifty pounds (222 N) applied in any direction. Drainage clearance not in excess of one-eighth inch under toeboards is permitted.

     (5) Stair railings. Stair railings shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least two hundred pounds (890 N) applied in any direction, and shall not be more than thirty-six inches (0.91 m) nor less than thirty-two inches (0.81 m) in height from the upper top rail surface to the tread surface in line with the leading edge of the tread. Railings and midrails shall be provided at any stairway having four or more risers, as follows:

     (a) For stairways less than forty-four inches (1.12 m) wide, at least one railing; and

     (b) For stairways more than forty-four inches (1.12 m) but less than eighty-eight inches (2.24 m) wide, a stair rail or handrail on each side, and if eighty-eight or more inches wide, an additional intermediate handrail.

     (6) Condition. Railings shall be maintained free of sharp edges and in good repair.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050 . 00-21-103, § 296-56-60123, filed 10/18/00, effective 2/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-02-024, § 296-56-60123, filed 12/30/98, effective 3/30/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW and RCW 49.17.040,[49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 92-22-067 (Order 92-06), § 296-56-60123, filed 10/30/92, effective 12/8/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 86-03-064 (Order 86-02), § 296-56-60123, filed 1/17/86; 85-01-022 (Order 84-24), § 296-56-60123, filed 12/11/84.]