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bill board cat walk

Is this governed by OSHA and if so would not be under the jurisdiction of the building code.
 
Rick18071,

If the billboard is an AHJ owned structure, then Section 1013.1 will require the compliant

type of guardrailing to be installed. If the billboard is not an AHJ owned structure, then

OSHA requires equivalent fall protection (i.e. - the ability to securely tie off for any

workers).

.
 
bill board cat walk

Why wouldn't be under building code? Where does it say signs are exempt. Been inspecting signs for years but first billboard. Why would they have appendix H if we didn't inspect signs.

I thought OSHA only inspected for safety where people are working like a construction site or factory

Yes it is a stand alone sign. Catwalk 13' above ground.
 
Did your AHJ specifically adopt Appendix H? If not, then that section of the IBC

is not applicable to your legal enforcement capabilities.

AHJ = Authority Having Jurisdiction. For some on this Forum, it's where we

are employed (read: a city, town, county, borough, parrish, other).

Again, ..if you are the AHJ inspector, and the billboard in question is an AHJ

owned structure, the BO or FCO can determine that the catwalk needs the

compliant type of guardrailing installed...Budget restraints may play a part

in the guardrailing determination.

.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The basis rule is that if a federal agency has preempted the regulation of something any state or local statutes, regulations, or ordinances that attempt to regulate that thing are null and void unless the federal agency has given permission to the state. If OSHA has jurisdiction it is irrelevant whether the state has adopted Appendix H.

If in doubt ask OSHA whether they have jurisdiction regarding fall protection of the workers who use the catwalk. Ask them for clarification on what they regulate as opposed to the state (including local agencies).

If an AHJ owns something such as a billboard and wants to do something in excess of the regulations they, like any owner, are free to contractually require it.
 
Even if OSHA has jurisdiction on fall protection, I don't do fall protection. I only do the I-codes, which requires a guard.

they don't have a permit from OSHA. They have a permit from the township which is required to enforce the state adopted codes.

Since no one here came up with an exception I will tell them they need guards.

Are you also saying the guards may not be required on roofs for edge protection if the HVAC is close to the edge of the roof because OSHA has jurisdiction?
 
The code clearly states that if mechanical equipment is located within 10 feet of the roof edge a guardrail is required. For you to require a guardrail on a billboard is silly. You don't enforce OSHA but you also should not enforce sillyness.
 
Rick10871,

If your township has issued a permit, does your township insurance carrier also

allow you to inspect at heights within all of the proper fall protection to be used?

Just sayin'..

.
 
Rick18071 said:
Even if OSHA has jurisdiction on fall protection, I don't do fall protection. I only do the I-codes, which requires a guard.they don't have a permit from OSHA. They have a permit from the township which is required to enforce the state adopted codes.

Since no one here came up with an exception I will tell them they need guards.

Are you also saying the guards may not be required on roofs for edge protection if the HVAC is close to the edge of the roof because OSHA has jurisdiction?
Click to expand...
Do you require them on all roofs as someone will likely be up there to do roofing at some point? Or do these people have to be tied off while working on elevated surfaces in accordance with OSHA?
 
I need someone to quote me an exception. I have seen guards on some real high ones in cites.

There will be someone on this catwalk a lot more than someone working on a HVAC on a roof.
 
There is no Exception to provide you! The IBC WOULD require guardrailing "IF" the township

requires it. If the township and the township' insurance carrier will allow it, compliant type

fall protection would be an approved type of alternative, rather than guardrailing.

Do you have the budget and (insurance carrier) approval of the township for these 2 items?

In my AHJ, we do not do heights because of limitaions of our insurance carrier.

.
 
Rick18071 said:
I need someone to quote me an exception.
Click to expand...
I don't believe you need an exception. I believe the code is silent on requiring a guard on the catwalk because OSHA already requires fall protection for the workers. Chapter 10 is for occupied spaces which are defined as a room or enclosed space this is not the case with a ground supported sign (billboard) therefore the guard requirements of Section 1013 are not applicable to signs (billboards) See OSHA regs http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1756
 
Rick, I'm in PA and have never inspected a billboard. I have no plan to start, waaayy outside the UCC imo.
 
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