With warehouse and distribution center storage at a premium, many operations are looking up and maximizing the overhead space in their facilities to expand their picking and fulfillment capacity. By utilizing elevated work platforms, pick modules, or rack supported platforms, a facility can expand its available square footage without a building expansion. Associates can work on these overhead areas to access stored items. For their safety—because they’re working above ground level—it is important to integrate permanent guardrails around the perimeter of these platforms or walkways to prevent associates from falling over the edge.

Two Standards Offer Guardrail Guidance

Two separate ANSI publications provide guidelines for the safe design of guardrails. They are RMI’s ANSI MH16.1: Specification for the Design, Testing and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks and ANSI MH32.1: Stairs, Ladders, and Open-Edge Guards for Use with Material Handling Structures, developed by RMI in partnership with the Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA).

The definition of guardrails is “members installed on an elevated rack-supported platform or pick module walkway whose purpose is to provide fall protection for the occupants of the structure. Guardrails consist of a top rail, an intermediate rail(s) and posts.” The horizontal top rail must be at a minimum height of 42 inches above the floor surface. Further, the design of the intermediate rails must prevent a 21-inch-diameter sphere from passing through any opening. For additional safety, the entire guardrail assembly’s design must separately resist the force of a concentrated live load of 200 pounds, or a distributed live load of 20 pounds-per-foot.

There are no requirements for guardrails in locations where other structural members provide fall protection. They are also not necessary in areas where they would interfere with the loading or removal of a product from the structure. Where they are not present (typically in pallet drop areas or where integrated safety gates exist), facilities must instead use removable guardrail sections or removable chains. To ensure worker safety, these removable devices must meet the same strength and configuration requirements of permanent guardrail.

Guardrails Are Not Handrails

The term “guardrail” is often confused with the term “handrail.” The two, however, refer to different things. Guardrails provide fall protection. Handrails are a requirement for stairways to provide additional stability to persons ascending or descending from one level to another. Handrails can also serve as the top of guarding. In that case, their position must be between 34 inches and 38 inches from the tread surface. Further, their construction must prevent a 21-inch-diameter sphere from passing through any opening.

Learn More About Protecting Workers on Industrial Work Platforms

Download the RMI/SMA ANSI MH32.1: Stairs, Ladders, and Open-Edge Guards for Use with Material Handling Structures specification.