What is the minimum height for guardrails on elevated surfaces in construction?

The minimum height for guardrails on elevated surfaces in construction is set to ensure safety and prevent falls. A height of 42 inches is established as the standard for guardrails because it provides adequate protection for workers who might be near the edge of platforms, scaffolding, or similar elevated surfaces. This height effectively helps to prevent accidents by creating a physical barrier that is less likely to be climbed over or accidentally overridden.

The choice of 42 inches aligns with guidelines established by safety organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which emphasizes the need for guardrails to be high enough to serve their purpose effectively. By maintaining this standard height, it ensures that guardrails remain a critical element of fall protection systems in construction, providing a necessary safety measure to protect workers from falls from significant heights.