What is the difference between handrail and guardrail

Both safety handrails and guardrails , for instance, must meet specific OSHA standards to be considered effective in protecting workers. These two products Guardrails and Handrails are in fact very different, and companies should be sure to have a solid understanding of the unique properties and benefits of both; guardrails and handrails before purchasing either product.

In highway applications, for instance, guardrails are designed to absorb the energy of collisions from moving vehicles and are designed more for glancing blows and to keep a vehicle in its lane of traffic. In industrial plants, guardrails serve to protect workers, equipment, and structures from accidents caused by moving vehicles or machinery and are specifically designed to be able to absorb impact energy from a forklift, for instance, or a sweeper.

Many times this heavy equipment weighs in at an excess of 10, lbs. Handrails, on the other hand, prevent people from falling off platforms, stairways, walkways, or landings. These structures must be able to sustain an outward or downward point load force of at least pounds horizontal force at any point along the top rail. While guardrails and handrails sound similar and perform the same general function — fall protection — the actual definition and code requirements for each differ considerably.

Guardrails — also known as standard railings — are vertical barriers that protect employees and visitors against falls from elevated surfaces , alert workers to the presence of hazards, and prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas.

Unlike handrails, guardrails are designed to be life-saving devices around metal steps , landings, platforms , openings , accessible roof spaces , or other hazards. While handrails promote safe movement, they are not intended to be life-saving devices. Mounted to a wall or partition by brackets attached to its lower side , a handrail provides a supporting handhold for employees or visitors who might be disabled, have trouble walking, or otherwise prefer assistance when navigating stairs, ramps, slopes, or other surfaces.

Handrails are typically used with any stairway consisting of more than three risers. Not only will guardrails and handrails keep your employees and visitors safe, but they will also help you stay in compliance with OSHA and IBC standards. Guardrails are required as the main method of preventing employees from falling to lower levels per OSHA standard Any platform 4 feet or higher above a lower floor or the ground must be protected by a guardrail on all open sides.

Guardrails must have vertical heights of 42 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. Per Standard Directive They must also have toeboards. All top and intermediate rails must be at least. Guardrails can be higher than 44 inches as long as the extra height does not compromise employee safety.

An opening under the top rail that would allow a inch or larger spherical object would be considered unsafe, and would likely require the use of an additional intermediate rail. Per OSHA standard Handrails must be provided on at least one side of closed stairways, and both railings and handrails must be installed in accordance with These requirements are calculated according to stairway width, as well as the number of closed sides for each flight of stairs having four or more risers.

For example, on stairways more than 44 inches wide but less than 88 inches wide , there must be one handrail on each enclosed side and one stair railing on each open side. The minimum clearance between handrails and other objects is 2.

Handrails must have the shape and dimension necessary to grasp firmly, and the ends of handrails and handrail systems must not present any projection hazards. Load Requirement: It should be to hold a load from a pound weight that is pushing down or pulling outward within 2 inches of the top edge of the top rail.

Clearance: The minimum clearance between handrails and other objects is 2. Projection Threats: There should be no projection threats at the extremities of handrails or their attached structures.

The two are either mounted on walls directly or supported by posts. There are many varieties of guardrails and handrails, which one is right for you? The fitting of the guardrails and handrails should follow the structure of your building and the Occupational Health and Safety standards.

A handrail installed along the sides of a descending or ascending stairway. They offer safe grasping surface hence reducing fatal fall injuries, and if the stairway is open, your employees cannot fall on either side. Temporal handrails and guardrails are those whose use doesn't fit your workplace, unlike residential homes.

Depending on how well the handrail and guardrail fit, you can term them as either graspable and non-graspable unsafe railings. Graspable railings are those that meet the local building codes and are useful in fall protection. On the other hand, non-graspable railings are characteristic of broken, loose and defective.