Do repair or service pits need to have guardrails around them?

The use of a fall protection system is not required for a repair pit, service pit, or assembly pit that is less than 10 feet deep, if the employer complies with these requirements:

• Limits access within 6 feet of the edge of the pit to authorized employees trained per 1910.30;
• Does one of the following:
  • Applies floor markings at least 6 feet from the edge of the pit in colors that contrast with the surrounding area.
  • Places a warning line at least 6 feet from the edge of the pit as well as stanchions that are capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds applied horizontally against the stanchion at a height of 30 inches.
  • Places a combination of floor markings and warning lines at least 6 feet from the edge of the pit.
    Note: When two or more pits in a common area are not more than 15 feet apart, the employer may comply by placing contrasting floor markings at least 6 feet from the pit edge around the entire area of the pits.
• Posts readily visible caution signs that meet the requirements of 1910.145 and states “Caution—Open Pit.”