#HANDICAP RAILS FREE#

See enclosed Figure 2 for an example of a stair rail system installed after January 17, 2017.įor stair rail systems installed on or after January 17, 2017, that meet §1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A) instead of §§1910.29(f)(1)(i) and 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B), OSHA will not issue citations until the intent of the standards is clarified by a FRN. The top rail must be at least 42 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B)) and the handrail must be 30 to 38 inches in height (§1910.29(f)(1)(i)) (as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the rail).

For stair rail systems installed on or after January 17, 2017, the top rail and handrail must be separate.

See enclosed Figure 1 for an example of a stair rail system installed before January 17, 2017. For these stair rail systems, the top rail may serve as a handrail, provided the top rail is 36 to 38 inches in height (as measured at the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the top rail) and meets all other handrail requirements in §1910.29(f). In the interim, the following guidance will apply: To clarify the Agency’s original intent, OSHA will publish a Federal Register Notice (FRN). Please note that §1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A) applies only to stair rail systems installed prior to January 17, 2017.

The preamble to the final rule states: …because the final rule requires that all stair rail systems installed on or after the effective date, which is January 17, 2017, must be at least 42 inches in height, final paragraph (f)(1)(iii)(A) is only applicable to stair rail systems installed before the effective date. Section 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A) allows the top rail of a stair rail system to serve as a handrail when the stair rail system is not less than 36 inches (91 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm) in height. In accordance with §1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B), the height of stair rail systems installed on or after January 17, 2017, must not be less than 42 inches (107 cm). OSHA has received a number of inquiries about these two OSHA standards since publishing the final Walking-Working Surfaces rule on November 18, 2016. This memorandum replaces the memorandum issued on June 10, 2019, on this subject, and provides guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers for enforcing the handrail and stair rail system requirements at. KAPUST, Acting Directorĭirectorate of Enforcement Programs SUBJECT: Enforcement of. STATE PLAN DESIGNEES THROUGH: AMANDA EDENSĪcting Deputy Assistant Secretary FROM: PATRICK J. Edges shall have a minimum radius of 1/8 inch.SeptemMEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS

#HANDICAP RAILS FREE#

The handrail shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements.The diameter of the gripping surface of the handrail shall be 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches, or the shape shall provide an equivalent surface.

The top of the handrail surface shall be placed between 34 and 38 inches above the ramp's finished floor surface.Surfaces of the handrail shall be continuous without interruption or obstructions.When the handrail is located in a recess, it must be at least three inches deep and shall extend at least 18 inches above the top of the rail.A clear space of 1 1/2 inches must be provided between the handrail and the wall where the handrail is installed.When a handrail is not continuous, handrails shall extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom segment and must be parallel with the floor and/or ground surface. The inside handrail on switchbacks shall always be continuous. The ramp must have handrails on both sides of all ramp segments.