UNL | Midwest Roadside Safety

fall protection on parapets

Question
State	WI
Description Text	We have had our contractor's mount hardware on top of our 32" bridge parapets to comply with OSHA fall requirements. Here is one example. I have concerns from a roadside design perspective that: Vertical struts are snag issue cables may interfere with vehicle once it leans over the barrier. I have heard of 2x4 being used on our parapets and temporary barrier as well. I wanted to get MwRSF's impression of what our contractors are doing. Thanks
Keywords	Bridge Rails Temporary Barriers
Other Keywords	none
Date	July 22, 2015
Attachment	IMG_20150415_102548995.jpg
Attachment	IMG_20150415_102615138.jpg
Attachment	IMG_20150415_102625743.jpg

Response
Response	The concern with the addition of structures on existing barrier systems would be similar to those concerns with barrier performance raised in previous studies regarding pedestrian rails, combination bridge rails, and the Zone of Intrusion (ZOI) study. Additional structure on top of a barrier may pose a snag hazard, adversely affect vehicle stability, potentially create dangerous debris, and pose a hazard for partially ejected occupants or occupant heads among other concerns. Thus, while there is a need for fall protection in critical areas, we would recommend that the fall protection concern be weighed against concerns for the effect on the safety performance of the barrier. Development of safe fall protection hardware would likely require further research, design, and potential evaluation testing. additionally. the design of the fall protection may differ significantly depending on the type of barrier it is used on.
Date	September 3, 2015