This will probably muddy the waters, but:
Strictly speaking, and using US
OSHA, railings should be 42” high. See 40 CFR 1910.23(c) (Though
OSHA recognizes that one can’t put a railing in front of a
stage. (See third to last paragraph of this
OSHA interpretation.
01/28/1997 - Fall protection for the entertainment industry under the OSH Act of 1970. )
Illinois has a limited State
OSHA in that it only extends
OSHA to public employees. The rest of the program follows US
OSHA. (Go to
OSHA.gov, then click State programs, then click Illinois.)
Parts of the
OSHA railing reg (from 40 CFR) is copied below, along with the text about Illinois’ program from the
OSHA site:
1910.23(c)
"Protection of open-sided floors, platforms, and runways."
1910.23(c)(1)
Every open-sided floor or
platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or
ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,
1910.23(e)
"Railing, toe boards, and
cover specifications."
1910.23(e)(1)
A standard railing shall consist of top
rail, intermediate
rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top
rail to floor,
platform,
runway, or ramp
level. The top
rail shall be smooth-surfaced throughout the length of the railing. The intermediate
rail shall be approximately halfway between the top
rail and the floor,
platform,
runway, or ramp. The ends of the rails shall not
overhang the
terminal posts except where such
overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.
About Illinois
OSHA -
On September 1, 2009, the Illinois Public Employee Only (PEO) State Plan was approved as a developmental plan under Section 18 of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 and 29 CFR 1956.
The Illinois PEO State Plan is administered by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL). The department's Public Employee
Safety and Education Division is responsible for compliance program administration, conducting enforcement inspections, adoption of standards, and operation of other
OSHA related activities in the public sector. Federal
OSHA retains full authority for coverage of private sector employees in the State of Illinois as well as for coverage of Federal government employees
Joe