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OSHA Cable Handrail Guidelines

This document from April 23, 1973 provides guidance on the use of cables and chains as guardrails for floor and wall openings according to OSHA standard 1926.500. It specifies that cable must be at least 3/8 inch and chain must be at least 1/4 inch alloy steel. Anchors for cables and chains cannot be more than 100 feet apart and must support imposed loads without deflection. Cables and chains must have positive tensioning to reduce sag to no more than 2 inches in a 20 foot span. Toeboards must be at least 4 inches high and made of material equivalent in strength to a 1 inch by 4 inch pine board.

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283 views

OSHA Cable Handrail Guidelines

This document from April 23, 1973 provides guidance on the use of cables and chains as guardrails for floor and wall openings according to OSHA standard 1926.500. It specifies that cable must be at least 3/8 inch and chain must be at least 1/4 inch alloy steel. Anchors for cables and chains cannot be more than 100 feet apart and must support imposed loads without deflection. Cables and chains must have positive tensioning to reduce sag to no more than 2 inches in a 20 foot span. Toeboards must be at least 4 inches high and made of material equivalent in strength to a 1 inch by 4 inch pine board.

Uploaded by

sethhoffman85
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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12/23/1973 - 1926.500, Guardrails, handrails & guards.

Page 1 of 1

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Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents

Standard Number:

DATE:

1926.500

April 23, 1973

REPLY TO
ATTN OF:

OSHA - ARA's Federal/State Operations - Technical Support

SUBJECT:

1926.500, Guardrails, handrails & guards

TO: ALL AREA DIRECTORS Paragraph 1926.500(f)(l)(vi) provides for the utilization of types, sizes and
arrangements of railing construction provided they meet the conditions established in sub-paragraph a thru d.
In construction the use of cables or chains to guard door and wall openings is common practice; however, unless
these chains or cables are of sufficient size and strength to support the loads which might be imposed, they
imply a security which is not present.
Since cables or chains are commonly used as barriers or guards on construction projects at floor and wall
openings and to establish uniformity in this Region, the following criteria will govern the use of cable and chain
as guards.
1. Cable shall be not less than 3/8 inch mild plow steel.
2. Chain shall be not less than 1/4 inch alloy steal.
3. The chain or cable shall be anchored at intervals not to exceed 100 feet. These anchors shall be of sufficient strength to support the
imposed loads without deflection.
4. The chain or cable shall be provided with positive tensioning device (such as a turnbuckle) which will reduce the sag in the chain or
cable to not more than 2 inches in a 20 foot span.
5. Intermediate supports shall be installed in such a manner that they will provide the strength and spacing outlined for Posts in
1926.500(f)(l)(i), (ii) & (iii).
6. The tensioning device shall have a breaking strength of not less than 10,000 pounds.
7. The chain or cable shall be equipped with flagging or some other means of increasing their visibility.
Chain or cable may be used as immediate rails when installed to the above criteria.
8. Toeboards shall be 4 inches minimum in vertical height and of any material which will provide the strength equivalent to a Standard
Southern Pine 1 inch by 4 inch board. These toeboards shall be secured in place as required by the Standards.

R. A. WENDELL
Assistant Regional Administrator
for Federal/State Programs.
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents

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