1. What a Toe Board Does
Guardrails stop people from falling. A toe board stops objects from falling. It runs along the bottom of the guardrail, at the walking surface, anywhere workers or the public could be below an elevated walkway. You may also hear it called a kick plate or toe plate.
2. OSHA Toe Board Requirements (29 CFR 1910.29(k))
For general industry, OSHA sets toe board rules in 29 CFR 1910.29(k), Protection from falling objects. When a toe board is used for falling-object protection, the employer must make sure it:
| Requirement | OSHA rule | Paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Height | At least 3.5″ (9 cm), measured from the top edge of the toe board to the walking surface | 1910.29(k)(1)(ii) |
| Strength | Withstands at least 50 lb (222 N) applied downward or outward at any point | 1910.29(k)(1)(vi) |
| Gap at the floor | No more than 0.25″ clearance above the walking surface | 1910.29(k)(1)(iii) |
| Openings | Solid, or no opening larger than 1″ at its greatest dimension | 1910.29(k)(1)(iv) |
| Length | Runs along the exposed edge far enough to protect people below | 1910.29(k)(1)(i) |
| Vehicle pits | At least 2.5″ high around vehicle repair, service or assembly pits | 1910.29(k)(1)(v) |
If tools or materials are stacked higher than the toe board, OSHA also requires paneling or screening from the toe board up to the midrail, or to the top rail if the stack is taller (1910.29(k)(2)). Construction sites follow a separate standard (29 CFR 1926), so check the rule that applies to your job.
3. Toe Board Height and Sizes
The 3.5″ figure is a minimum. Many steel toe boards are made taller to leave margin. SteelFront toe boards are 4″ tall in 13 or 14 gauge steel, cut from 10″ to 120″ long, raw or pre-galvanized.
| SteelFront toe board | Height | Gauge | How it mounts | Lengths | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bent leg (flange) toe board | 4″ | 13 or 14 | 1″ or 1-1/2″ leg | 10″ to 120″ | Raw or pre-galvanized |
| Perforated toe board | 4″ | 13 or 14 | No leg; two rows of holes bolt to walkway uprights | 10″ to 120″ | Raw or pre-galvanized |
4. Choosing a Steel Toe Board
Bent leg or flat perforated?
Choose the bent leg board when you want a flange to fasten or weld along the walkway edge. Choose the perforated board when you want to bolt it straight to the uprights of a walkway or catwalk.
Raw or pre-galvanized?
Raw steel is ready to weld or paint. Pre-galvanized steel is zinc-coated before it is formed, so it has a cleaner finish out of the box.
Installing for compliance
Whether a toe board meets OSHA depends on how it is installed as well as the part itself. Set it so the gap under it is 0.25″ or less, run it the full length of the exposed edge, and confirm the finished assembly takes a 50 lb push at any point. Your employer or engineer makes the final compliance call.
Order Steel Toe Boards Online
Pick a gauge, length and finish, see the price, and check out. No quote, no minimum. Toe boards ship from Hutchinson, Kansas, or you can pick up at our plant.