What is the Required Height of a Permanent Safety Rail?

There can be some confusion about the required height of a safety rail in order to satisfy OSHA requirements. At one time, rails which were at least 36 inches tall and permanently installed were sufficient because they were installed before OSHA building codes went into effect. However, after building codes went into effect, OSHA changed the requirements for the overall height required for guard rails. Certain organizations were grandfathered in and allowed to leave the 36 inch tall rails in place, due to the expense for replacing such systems. The current OSHA building code states that guard rails should be at least 42 inches tall, measured from the base of the floor to the top of the rail.

What is the Required Height of a Temporary Safety Rail?

 

The OSHA requirement for a temporary safety rail is at least 42 inches tall. Since these types of guard rails are put up, taken down and not permanently installed, there is not a grandfather clause. Organizations which were using 36 inch rails prior to OSHA building codes had to replace their temporary guard rails once the new building codes took effect.