| Although OSHA does not directly apply to other than employees, it is obvious building and other
structural requirements will affect the general population. Subpart D-Waking and Working
Surfaces (1910.21 - 1910.32) contains a section on Railings, Toeboards and Cover
Specifications. This requires a 42 inch minimum height of the railing above the floor. There
should be a maximum inter-space of four inches between the base and the horizontal structure of
the railing. The lodging industry has been successful in eliminating loss of life when a child
crawls through the space between vertical struts or other decorative feature in the railing support
by limiting that interval to no more than 4 inches. The regulation further requires a secured
installation that will withstand a load of at least 200 pounds in any direction at any point on the
top rail.
If in compliance, the challenge for your safety or loss prevention committee is to consider
wording for a decal on the door to the balcony: For example:
DO NOT PERMIT UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN ON THE BALCONY
DO NOT LEAN AGAINST OR OVER THE BALCONY RAILING
They may also develop information for a safety information card or "tent" for the room. That
should include advice on keeping the balcony door secured when unsupervised children are
present in the guest room. In addition to a "charley bar," consider installation of a pin or nail on
a chain at the top frame of the door. There should be a hole drilled through the frame and top
member of the door for insertion of the pin or nail. Your author is aware of two fatal and one
serious injury from balcony falls this spring. |
Article
DEVELOP AN ANTI-BALCONY FALL STRATEGY