Basics Of Manufacturing Removable Safety Railings 270

Basics Of Manufacturing Removable Safety Railings

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Safety railings are essential in any workplace, especially in the industrial setting. Having safety railings also helps in keeping the industrial workplace OSHA compliant. Every single day in the workplace, there is always a hazard.

There are different types of safety railings, one of them is the removable safety railings. Having removable safety railings will give the same protection that permanent safety railings provide, with the flexibility of moving it from one place to another. 
 

Advantages of removable railing

The main advantage of removable safety railings is its flexibility. Generally, safety railings keep the workers safe in the workplace. However, railings can be a cause of delay or nuisance because. Removable railings not only provide protection but also helps workers finish their work with ease if they have to move objects from one place to another. Also, these railings will not hinder any construction. 

Removable safety railings are also convenient and easy to install. The brackets are quickly installed. The sliders also are quickly fastened for safety. These railings can also come in different shapes and sizes, such as round, flat, tubular, and round edges. The shape of the railings will depend on the needs and specifications of the workplace.

 

Things to consider in manufacturing removable safety railings

There are different things to consider before manufacturing removable safety railings. These include OSHA compliance, quality of materials, style, and non-penetration. OSHA compliance is the most important thing to consider because this will dictate whether your product is safe to purchase or not. 

Safety is something that you should not cut down on when making safety railings. Make sure that your railings are made of high-quality materials to avoid any liability in the future. Sturdy cast iron bases are the best bet in making safety railings. This material will keep the railing in place without having to drill a hole in the structure of the building. 

Also, make sure that the railings produced are pleasing to look at. The finishing and coating must be neat to attract customers. Lastly, the railings should be non-penetrating to avoid compromising the structure of the building where it will be placed. Companies will request a quote for industrial removable safety railing if you have quality railings to offer.
 

OSHA fall protection requirements


Many facilities in the workplace can pose a hazard to the employees. There might be places in the workplace where employees need to reach high places and may need protection. Removable safety railings can provide this protection. However, there must be standards and requirements that the employer needs to follow. 

The government imposes requirements for the manufacture and usage of safety railings. This matter is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Hazards (OSHA) under the Department of Labor. OSHA provides for a regulation on fall protection systems and falling object protection-criteria and practices. 

OSHA provides that the employer must guarantee guardrail systems and meet the requirements that employers must follow to avoid employees from falling to lower levels, with the help of guardrail systems. 

OSHA also provides that the height of top edges, or equivalent guardrail system parts, are 42 inches, minus or plus 3 inches,  above the walking-working surface. The height of the top edge may exceed 45 inches, as long as the guardrail meets all other criteria.

The mid rails, mesh, screens, intermediate vertical parts, solid panels, and other intermediate parts are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches in height.

Midrails are installed at a height midway between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system. Mesh and screens extend from the walking-working surface to the top rail and along with the opening between the supports of the top rail. 

Intermediate vertical parts, like balusters, are installed no more than 19 inches apart. Other equivalent intermediate parts, like architectural panels and additional mid-rails, are installed such that the openings are not more than 19 inches in width.

Guardrail systems can withstand a force that is at least 200 pounds with a direction either outward or downward, along the rail at the top. When the 200-pound test load is applied downward, the guardrail top rail must not be less than 39 inches above the walking-working surface.

Midrails, mesh, screens, intermediate vertical parts, solid panels, and other equivalent intermediate parts can withstand the strength of at least 150 pounds exerted in any outward or downward direction along with the intermediate parts.

Guardrails should be smooth-surfaced to protect employees from injuries, such as lacerations or punctures, and to also prevent catching of clothing. The ends of mid-rails and top rails do not overhang the terminal posts, except where the overhang does not pose a hazard towards employees. Steel banding and plastic banding are not used for top rails or mid-rails. Top rails and mid-rails are at least 0.25-inches in thickness or diameter.

A removable guardrail section is placed adjacent to the opening between the sections of the guardrail if there are no hoisting operations. The employer may utilize gates or chains at hoist areas instead of a removable guardrail section if the employer demonstrates the chains or gates provide a level of safety equivalent to guardrails.

The guardrail systems are installed on unprotected edges or sides of the hole if there is usage around the holes of guardrail systems. Two or fewer sides of the system are removed when materials are passed through the hole, and there is no removal of not more than two sides of the guardrail system.

The hole must be closed with a cover or guarded by a guardrail system along all unprotected sides or edges if materials do not pass through the hole. The guardrail opening has a gate that closes by itself that slides or swings away from the hole and is equipped with a top rail and mid-rail when guardrail systems are used around holes that serve as points of access 

The same opening is offset to prevent an employee from falling or walking into the hole. Runway and ramp guardrail systems are installed on each unprotected edge or side to protect employees. Synthetic or manila rope for top rails or mid-rails are examined to guarantee that the rope meets the strength requirements under OSHA.

It is vital to comply with these requirements to prevent any liability on the employer. These requirements will also guide in the correct manufacturing of removable safety railings.

Takeaway
Removable safety railings are the best bet when it comes to the workplace and industrial safety. These railings provide the same safety as permanent railings, but they are more flexible and convenient when moving around the workplace. In manufacturing removable safety railings, make sure that they comply with the OSHA requirements to avoid any liability in the future.
Blog SME Connect Blog 05/20/2020 2:05am EDT