Hi all

In the WAH FAQ on the HSE website it states for the height of a guard rail for non-construction activities (eg an access platform to a motor etc): "For non-construction work, there are no prescriptive dimensions. However, guard rails, toe boards, barriers and other collective means of protection should be of sufficient dimension to ensure a person cannot fall through or over them.

In the absence of any standards, HSE operational guidance suggests that guard rail heights in non-construction activities should be a minimum of 950 mm. Any protection below this height should be justified on the basis of a risk assessment.

For buildings, factories, warehouses, offices, public buildings, retail premises etc, sufficient dimensions for guard rails or similar barriers will be achieved by complying with the Building Regulations – which require guard rails to be 1100 mm.

For plant, machinery, equipment etc, sufficient dimensions will be achieved by compliance with any relevant EN standard. For example, BS EN 14122-3:2013 (covering the safety of machinery access) specifies a top guard rail of 1100 mm; while the essential health and safety requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 specify that such equipment is 'designed and constructed to avoid falls’."

But what does "in the absence of any standards" mean? In my case, the |BS EN 14122-3: 2013 standard must apply. But I cannot think of any reason that either the above or building regs will not apply to any situation.

On inspection some of the older guard rails I have are 950mm, but it seems I may need to raise them by 60mm .... or do I?

Any ideas?

Exactly what it says on the tin - in the absence of. You have identified a standard that exists therefore it applies.

We have had the debate before Building Regulations are not retrospective so if your rails are 950mm as that was the rule at time of construction there is no real need to add 60mm. If you refurbish or re-build you would need to set the rails to 1100mm to be compliant.