At Base Construction, we provide industrial-grade handrail safety systems. Our top priority for every project is safety, especially when dealing with important protective equipment like handrails. A variety of dangerous accidents can occur in the workplace, the most common of which is falls to lower levels.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls from ladders, roofs, moving vehicles and other raised platforms have resulted in the highest number of fatal accidents in the workplace. To prevent this, employers take measures to protect against falls. The most effective preventive measure is the installation of restraining equipment in high-risk areas, which include guardrails and handrails.

Industrial Handrail Basics

A handrail is a pipe meant to provide a handle for a person to grasp for additional support. The rail is attached directly to the wall or held by a support post. Industrial handrails are important for a variety of areas in the workplace including catwalks, platforms, stairways, and other ascending and descending areas.

Handrails vs. Guardrails

While both are designed to keep workers and people safe, there are some key differences between handrails and guardrails. A handrail is a single pipe affixed to a wall with the purpose of providing a handhold for support. Common applications for a handrail include stairs, hallways, walkways, ramps, and other areas commonly traveled on.

Guardrails provide a barrier for employees working on elevated surfaces. They prevent dangerous falls and are required for any platform raised above 4 ft. tall. This includes roofs, mezzanines, loading docks, and other raised surfaces. Both rail types must follow OSHA standards for construction and design.

Selecting the Best Material for Your Industrial Railing

Most industrial railing is made from steel or aluminum or sometimes stainless steel. At Base Construction, we primarily work with high-quality structural steel. Structural steel is designed for the construction of building materials and offers longevity and safety. If you are unsure what the best material for your railing project is, speak with our expert team. Our staff can assist in the application-specific design of your rail project and will consider removability, weight, and corrosion resistance before the construction of your handrail.

CALOSHA Railing Requirements

It is imperative all CALOSHA requirements are used when constructing industrial railing. These requirements are put into place to keep workers safe and secure while working on potentially dangerous equipment. These requirements include the following.

Standard railing requirements

  • Must have a 42 in. minimum height
  • Must be used if there is a 48 in. or greater drop from the walking surface, including top rail, intermediate rail, and posts
  • An intermediate rail at the halfway point the rail
  • A toe board where required

Stair railing (necessary on stairs with four or more risers) requirements

  • Must be 30 to 34 in. in height
  • An intermediate rail at the halfway point the rail

Load requirements

  • Railings must be able to handle a 200-lb concentrated load

A complete list of all OSHA rules and regulations for railing and fall protection can be found at their official website.

ADA Standards for Industrial Handrails

Like OSHA requirements, all ADA standards for employees who use handrails need to be met. They include:

  • Handrail must be continuous, and free of edges or imperfections that can cause cuts
  • Handrail must be placed between 34 and 38 in. from the ground
  • Use of vertical posts must be placed no more than 8 ft. apart from one another from the center to center of post
  • Spacing between the inner rail and any obstruction or wall must be 1 ½ in.
  • Use of a D-Return is required to round out the edge of the railing
  • Handrail cannot rotate between fittings

A complete list of all ADA rules and regulations for handrails can be found at their official website.

Contact Us to Learn How a Handrail Prevents Workplace Accidents

Our main goal at Base Construction is to help our clients keep their employees safe. We do this by constructing handrail equipment that follows all CALOSHA and ADA requirements. We are only able to provide work in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

Our years of experience in the industry have made us knowledgeable about all aspects of high quality and safe industrial railing, and we are more than willing to share that expertise with our clients.

Contact usto learn how our handrails will keep your workplace safe and prevent accidents today.