When to use guardrails

Guardrail systems are required in various construction scenarios in Virginia to protect employees from falls. Here's when they are typically needed:

• General Fall Protection: On walking/working surfaces with unprotected sides or edges that are 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level [1].
• Leading Edges: When constructing a leading edge 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels [1].
• Hoist Areas: In hoist areas where employees could fall 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels [2].
• Holes: Around holes (including skylights) that are more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels [2].
• Formwork and Reinforcing Steel: On the face of formwork or reinforcing steel when employees could fall 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels [2].
• Ramps, Runways, and Walkways: On ramps, runways, and other walkways where employees could fall 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels [2].
• Excavations: At the edge of excavations 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth, especially when the excavation isn't easily visible [2].
• Dangerous Equipment: Around dangerous equipment where employees could fall into or onto the equipment; this applies to situations less than 6 feet (1.8 m) and 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above the equipment [2].
• Overhand Bricklaying: When performing overhand bricklaying and related work 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels [2].
• Employees reaching below: When an employee is reaching more than 10 inches (25 cm) below the walking/working surface [3].
• Low-slope roofs: When employees are engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels [3].
• Steep roofs: When employees are working on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels [3].
• Precast concrete erection: When employees are engaged in the erection of precast concrete members 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels [3].
• Residential construction: When employees are engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels [3].
• Wall openings: When employees are working on, at, above, or near wall openings where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface [3].
• Scaffolds: On scaffolds more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level [4].

In many of these situations, alternatives to guardrail systems, such as safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems, may be acceptable 1, 2, 7. Employers in Virginia must comply with OSHA regulations, ensuring fall protection is provided where required 3, 9.