A toe board is an upright board fitted along the edge of a working platform or scaffold platform to stop tools, building materials, or feet from falling over the edge. The toe board forms a low, closed upstand at the edge of the platform and is an important part of the fall protection on a scaffold.
Function
The toe board has two protective jobs:
- Preventing falling objects — tools or materials cannot roll unnoticed off the scaffold platform and land on people below
- Foot protection — the upstand stops someone from sliding a foot over the edge
Together with the guardrail (top rail) and the intermediate rail, the toe board forms the complete edge protection of a scaffold.
Application and rules
Toe boards are required on scaffolds and working platforms where there is a risk of falling or of objects falling. Under health-and-safety rules, a scaffold platform with a fall risk must be fitted with proper edge protection: a guardrail, an intermediate rail, and a toe board. The toe board is usually about 15 cm high.
Points to note
- Fit the toe board all the way round, including the end faces of the scaffold
- Make sure the board is firmly fixed and cannot slide out of place
- Keep the working platform clear of loose material as well, because the toe board is an addition to — not a replacement for — tidy and safe working
Related terms
- Scaffold
- Fall protection
- Health and safety
- Guardrail
- Confined space
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