California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 16 - Railings
Section 1620 - Design and Construction of Railings
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
Railings required by these Orders, except as otherwise provided, shall conform to the following standards:
(a) Railings shall be constructed of wood or in an equally substantial manner from other materials, and shall consist of the following:
(b) Wood railings.
(c) All railings, including their connections and anchorage, shall be capable of withstanding without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds applied to the top rail within 2 inches of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge.
(d) Mid-rails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent members shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the mid-rail, screen, mesh, or other intermediate member.
(e) Railings exposed to heavy stresses from employees trucking or handling materials shall be provided additional strength by the use of heavier stock, closer spacing of posts, bracing, or by other means.
(f) The ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.
(g) Railings shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.
(h) Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be used as top rails or mid-rails.
1. Repealer of subsection (d) and renumbering of subsections (e)-(i) to subsections (d)-(h) filed 3-19-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 12). For prior history, see Register 76, No. 41.
2. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 1-14-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 3).
3. New subsection (i) filed 6-1-92; operative 7-1-92 (Register 92, No. 23).
4. Editorial correction reinstating inadvertently omitted subsection (e) (Register 98, No. 25).
5. Amendment of article heading, section heading and section filed 4-20-2007; operative 5-20-2007 (Register 2007, No. 16).
6. Editorial correction of subsection (c)(1) (Register 2007, No. 44).
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.