Patent Publication Number: US-2013240817-A1

Title: Guardrail System

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to a guardrail system and components thereof used during construction projects. For example, when a high rise building is erected, it is important that the safety of the construction workers is provided for. A guardrail system serves to protect the construction workers from falling from a building under construction, or provide “fall protection.” The guardrail system may also serve to prevent any construction materials from falling from the worksite and damaging or injuring workers or equipment located on the ground below. In the United States, the Occupational Safety &amp; Health Administration (“OSHA”) has promulgated Safety and Health Regulations for Construction at 37 C.F.R. §1926 that include regulations directed to fall protection. In particular, 37 C.F.R. §1926.502(b)(1) requires that a top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members used for fall protection, shall be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. Thus, the OSHA regulations require that the guardrail system must have a nominal top rail height of 42 inches above the walking/working level. 
     In addition to the 42-inch height requirement, the OSHA regulations also require that the guardrail system is sufficiently strong and capable of withstanding a certain force applied to the top rail of the guardrail system. In particular, 37 C.F.R. §1926.502(b)(3) requires that guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. 
     As a result of these applicable OSHA regulations, a number of different guardrail systems having a height of 42 inches have been designed that are capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction. However, in certain applications and construction projects, it may be desirable to provide fall protection above and beyond that mandated by the OSHA regulations. For example, it may be desirable to provide a guardrail system that has a height greater than 42 inches to provide even greater fall protection safety to construction workers. Thus, some construction projects may request or specify that the height of the guardrail systems are as high as 60 inches to provide even greater fall protection for the construction project. 
     Pursuant to OSHA regulations, a guardrail system may exceed 42 inches in height, but must comply with the OSHA regulations pertaining to guardrail systems used for fall protection. In particular, 37 C.F.R. §1926.502(b)(1) provides that when conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height limitation (42 inches+3 inches), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria within the paragraph. Therefore, a guardrail system having a height of 60 inches must still meet the criteria of 37 C.F.R. §1926.502(b)(3), that requires that guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. Existing guardrail systems having a 42-inch height do not meet these requirements. In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a guardrail system having a top rail height up to 60 inches that is OSHA compliant and thus capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the top edge of the guardrail system in any outward or downward direction at any point along the top edge. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present embodiments disclose a guardrail support comprising a base having a first side that includes a first set of one or more attachment holes suitable for attaching the first side of the base to a surface beneath the base, and a second side opposite the first side having a second set of one or more attachment holes suitable for attaching the second side of the base to the surface beneath the base; a post extending vertically from the base; a support member extending at an angle from the first side of the base to the post; wherein an upper portion of the post is positioned at a distance of between 48 inches and 60 inches from the base; and wherein when the base of the guardrail support is attached to the surface beneath the base, the guardrail support will withstand a 200 pound force applied to the upper portion of the post in a direction perpendicular to the post and in a direction from the second side of the base to the first side of the base. 
     Further embodiments include a guardrail support comprising a base having a first side that includes a first set of one or more attachment holes suitable for attaching the first side of the base to a surface beneath the base by inserting one or more fasteners through the first set of attachment holes at a penetrating angle, and a second side opposite the first side having a second set of one or more attachment holes suitable for attaching the second side of the base to the surface beneath the base by inserting one or more fasteners through the second set of attachment holes at a penetrating angle; a post extending vertically from the base; a support member extending at an angle from the first side of the base to the post; wherein an upper portion of the post is positioned at a distance of between 48 inches and 60 inches from the base. 
     Example embodiments also disclose a guardrail system comprising a first guardrail support comprising a base having a first side that includes a first set of one or more attachment holes and a second side opposite the first side having a second set of one or more attachment holes; a post extending vertically from the base; and a support member extending at an angle from the first side of the base to the post; wherein an upper portion of the post is positioned at a distance of between 48 inches and 60 inches from the base; and wherein the base is attached to a surface beneath the base by one or more fasteners inserted through one or more of the first set of one or more attachment holes on the first side of the base at a penetrating angle, and one or more fasteners inserted through the second set of attachment holes on the second side of the base at a penetrating angle; a second guardrail support comprising a base having a first side that includes a first set of one or more attachment holes and a second side opposite the first side having a second set of one or more attachment holes; a post extending vertically from the base; and a support member extending at an angle from the first side of the base to the post; wherein an upper portion of the post is positioned at a distance of between 48 inches and 60 inches from the base; and wherein the base is attached to a surface beneath the base by one or more fasteners inserted through one or more of the first set of one or more attachment holes on the first side of the base at a penetrating angle, and one or more fasteners inserted through the second set of attachment holes on the second side of the base at a penetrating angle; and a span of fence extending from the first guardrail support to the second guardrail support and retained by the first guardrail support and the second guardrail support wherein a top rail of the span of fence is between 48 and at least 60 inches above the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a guardrail support for use in a guardrail system; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is top view of the guardrail support taken along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is cross-sectional view of the right side of the base of the guardrail support of  FIG. 2  shown attached to a surface beneath the base with a fastener; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the base of the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is side view of a first angle member positioned on the left side of the base of the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the first angle member shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of a second angle member positioned on the right side of the base of the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the second angle member shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the post of the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1 , including fencing positioned in a fence holder located on the upper portion of the post; 
         FIG. 9  is a front side view of a single span of a fence that may be used with the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1  to form a guardrail system; 
         FIG. 10  is a front side view of a double span of a fence that may be used with the guardrail support shown in  FIG. 1  to form a guardrail system; and 
         FIG. 11  is a front side view of a guardrail system shown using the double span of a fence shown in  FIG. 10  positioned on two guardrail supports of the type shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a guardrail support  10  that is used as a part of a guardrail system to provide fall protection to construction workers. Guardrail support  10  includes a base  12  having a first side  14  located on a front side of guardrail support  10 , and a second side  16  positioned opposite from first side  14  and located on the rear side of guardrail support  10 . The first side of the base  14  includes a set of attachment holes  20   a  and  20   b , as well as  20   c  and  20   d  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) that are positioned on a first angle member  30 . The second side of the base  16  includes an additional set of attachment holes that are positioned on second angle member  32 . A vertical post  50  extends upwardly from base  12  and support member  40  extends from the first side of the base  14  to the vertical post  50 . The post  50  has an upper portion  52  that includes a fence rail holder  60  that is adapted to retain the top rail of a span of fence. Fence rail holder includes a through hole  71  that is aligned with a through hole  70  located on the post  50 . Through holes  71  and  70  are designed to allow a retention pin to extend therethrough to retain the top rail of a span of fence in place within the fence rail holder  60 . In addition, a second fence rail holder  64  is shown positioned on post  50  beneath the fence rail holder  60 . Second fence rail holder  64  is designed to retain a rail of a span of fence, and includes a retention pin  72  that serves to retain a rail of span of fence in place within the second fence rail holder  64 . 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the guardrail support  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Fastener  36  is shown extending through an attachment hole on first angle member  30  and extending through the first side of the base  14  at a penetrating angle. Similarly, fastener  38  is shown extending through an attachment hole on the second angle member  32  and extending through the second side of the base  16  at a penetrating angle. When the base  12  of the guardrail support  10  is attached to a surface beneath the base  12 , the guardrail support  10  is capable of withstanding a 200 pound force applied outwardly in the direction of the arrow at a top portion  52  of the post  50  at a distance D from the base  12 . The guardrail support  10  will also withstand a downward force of 200 pounds applied to fence rail holders  60  and  64 . In a preferred embodiment, the guardrail support  10  will withstand an outward force of 200 pounds applied at a distance D of 48 inches, 54 inches, and even 60 inches from the base. In a most preferred embodiment the distance D from the upper portion  52  of the post  50  to the base  12  is 60 inches. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of guardrail support  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Vertical post  50  is shown positioned closer to attachment holes  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  positioned on second angle member  32  than to attachment holes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d  positioned on first angle member  30 . Support member  40  is shown extending from post  50  to first side angle  30 . In a preferred embodiment the attachment holes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d  are 3/16 inch in diameter, and holes  20   a  and  20   b  are spaced apart from each other 1½ inches and holes  20   c  and  20   d  are spaced from each other 1½ inches. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, holes  20   b  and  20   c  are spaced from each other 3 inches. In this manner, an end of support member  40  may abut first angle member  30  between attachment holes  20   b  and  20   c . In addition, in a preferred embodiment, attachment holes  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  of the second angle member  32  also have a diameter of 3/16 inches and are spaced apart from each other 2 inches. 
     In addition, in a preferred embodiment the line of attachment holes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d  are spaced apart from the line of attachment holes  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  by 14 19/32 inches. However, the attachment holes do not need to be spaced in a line. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the distance from the front edge of vertical post  50  to the end of the first side of base  14  is 9 inches and the distance from the center of the post  50  to the end of the second side of the base  16  is 6¼ inches. In addition, in a preferred embodiment the post  50  is a 1½ inch by 1½ square tube. Preferably, the post  50  has a wall thickness of ⅛″ and is comprised of ASTM 513 Grade 1010 steel. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other suitable materials for the post  50  could also be used provided that the requirement that the post will withstand a 200 pound outward force applied at a distance D above the base of 48, 54, and/or 60 inches depending on the desired guardrail height. In addition, the post could have a cross section that is round, rectangular, or have some other cross-sectional geometry. Furthermore, as used herein the term vertical post or extending vertically, does not require that post extend from the base at exactly a 90 degree angle, and those terms shall be interpreted to cover a post extending 90 degrees from the base, plus or minus 30 degrees. Nonetheless, in a preferred embodiment, the post extends at a 90 degree angle from the base and has a length of 62 inches. Preferably, the post  50  is welded to the base  12 . 
     The support member  40  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  is preferably formed of an angle member that is 1 inch by 1 inch and ⅛ inches thick and 12 inches long. Preferably, the support member is comprised of A36 steel. In addition, the support member  40  is preferably positioned at an angle of 45 degrees from the base, although an angle of from 30 to 60 degrees could also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the support member  40  is welded to the first angle member  30  and the post  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the support member  40  attaches to the post  50  at 8½ inches above the base. The use of support member  40  forms a truss with the base  12  and the post  50  to provide strength and stability to the guardrail support  10 . It will be appreciated that the support member  40  could have any number of different cross sections. For example, it could have a square, circular, rectangular, etc. cross-section provided that it had the same strength as the support member comprised of an angle member described above. 
     In  FIG. 4 , an enlarged view of the lower right side of  FIG. 2  is shown where the second side  16  of the base  14  is shown with fastener  38  positioned at a penetrating angle α through the second angle member  32 , base  12  and into the surface  18  located beneath the base  12 . The surface  18  beneath the base  12  may comprise a plywood decking that is commonly used during construction projects. For example, the plywood decking could be made from grade BB plywood having a thickness of ⅝ of an inch. Additionally, the surface  18  may comprise concrete. In a preferred embodiment the penetrating angle α of fastener  38  is 45 degrees from the base, although a penetrating angle from 30 to 60 degrees could also be used. In addition, the fastener  38  may comprise a nail, screw, or bolt. However, when surface  18  is plywood, in a preferred embodiment, a 2½ inch drywall/multipurpose screw is used such as a size #8×2½ inch coarse phosphate-plated bugle head Philips drywall screw manufactured by Grip-Rite having Model number 212CDWS5 and available at Home Depot. Where the surface  18  is concrete, the fastener  18  may comprise a nail, screw, or bolt, and anchors may also be used. However, in a preferred embodiment, when surface  18  is concrete, a size  16   d  double headed screw with tie wire may be used to attach the base  12  to surface  18 . Inserting the fastener  38  at a penetrating angle provides additional resistance to the moment of force created when a 200 pound force is applied to the upper portion  52  of the post  50 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates base  12  which is shown having a rectangular shape which in a preferred embodiment is 16 inches long and 8 inches wide with a thickness of ¼ inch. Using a base  12  having these dimensions with post  50  positioned thereon as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  provides for a freestanding guardrail support  10 . It is desirable to have a guardrail support that is freestanding because that will minimize the chances that the guardrail support will tip over and fall off of the construction site before it has been secured to the surface of the construction site. 
     In addition, a base  12  having a thickness of ¼ inch is also desirable because OSHA regulations require that a guardrail system include a toeboard that prevents nails and materials from falling from the worksite that must have a gap of no more than ¼ inch from the working surface to the bottom of the toeboard. In particular, 37 C.F.R. §1926.502(j)(3) specifies that toeboards shall have not more than ¼ inch (0.6 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. As a result, with a base  12  of ¼ inch thick, a span of a fence may be placed atop the base  12  and the OSHA toeboard maximum clearance requirement for a toeboard may still be met. 
     On the first side  14  of base  12 , a first set of attachment holes  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c , and  24   d  are positioned. This first set of attachment holes  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c , and  24   d  preferably have a diameter of 9/16 inches and correspond to attachment holes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d  in the first angle member so that a fastener such as fastener  36  shown in  FIG. 2  may pass through attachment holes of the first angle member  30  and the first set of attachment holes on the first side  14  of the base  12  and enter the surface  18  beneath the base  12  at a penetrating angle. Similarly, on the second side  16  of base  12 , a second set of attachment holes  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , and  26   d  are positioned. This second set of attachment holes  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , and  26   d  preferably have a diameter of 9/16 inches and correspond to attachment holes  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  in the second angle member so that a fastener such as fastener  38  shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4  may pass through attachment holes of the second angle member and the second set of attachment holes on the second side  16  of the base  12  and enter the surface  18  beneath the base  12  at a penetrating angle. The spacing of the first set of attachment holes on the first side  14  of the base  12  is preferably the same as the spacing of the attachment holes positioned on the first angle member  30 , and the second set of attachment holes on the second side  16  of the base  12  preferably has the same as the spacing of the attachment holes positioned on the second angle member  32 . In a preferred embodiment, the base is comprised of SAE1010 steel. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show first angle member  30  having a first side  31  perpendicular to a second side  33 . As noted above, in a preferred embodiment the attachment holes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d  are 3/16 inch in diameter, and holes  20   a  and  20   b  are spaced apart from each other 1½ inches and holes  20   c  and  20   d  are spaced from each other ½ inches. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, holes  20   b  and  20   c  are spaced from each other 3 inches. However, different spacing and a fewer or greater number of attachment holes could be provided. Moreover, the holes could have a larger diameter to accommodate larger fasteners if desired. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show second angle member  32  having a first side  37  perpendicular to a second side  35 . As noted above, in a preferred embodiment the attachment holes  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d  are 3/16 inch in diameter, and equally spaced from each a distance of two inches. However, different spacing and a fewer or greater number of attachment holes could be provided. Moreover, the holes could have a larger diameter to accommodate larger fasteners if desired. In a preferred embodiment the first and second angle members  30  and  32  are comprised of A36. 
     In a preferred embodiment, first angle member  30  is welded to the first side  14  of base  12  to provide a penetrating angle for fasteners such as fastener  36  to extend through the base  12  and into surface  18  beneath the base  12 . Similarly, in a preferred embodiment second angle member  32  is welded to the second side  16  of base  12  to provide a penetrating angle for fasteners such as fastener  38  to extend through the base  12  and into surface  18  beneath the base  12 . However, angle members  30  and  32  are preferred, but not required. For example, an angled surface could be formed directly into the first side  14  or second side  16  of base  12  through, for example, a milling operation, to provide an angled surface that provides a penetrating angle for the fasteners that are used. Alternately, the fasteners could be inserted at a penetrating angle without a permanent angled portion on the first and second sides  14 ,  16  of base  12  by, for example, providing removable tooling or a workpiece that allows fasteners to be inserted through the attachment holes on the first and second sides  14 ,  16  of base  12  at a desired penetrating angle. However, the use of first angle member  30  and second angle member  32  is preferred. 
       FIG. 8  shows an enlarged view of the top of the guardrail support  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . Post  50  having upper portion  52  is shown with first fence rail holder  60  shown holding a top rail of fence  80 , as well as a top rail of fence  82  with a separator therebetween. Thus first fence rail holder  60  may accommodate a first span of fence, as well as an overlapping second span of fence used in a guard rail system. The same is true of fence rail holder  64  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Fence rail holder  60  includes a through hole  71 , preferably having a diameter of ⅝ inches designed to have a retention pin inserted therethrough to retain the top rails  80  and  82  of a fence in place within the fence rail holder  60 . Fence rail holder  60  is preferably comprised of a 3 inch wall and a perpendicular 2¼ inch wall each having a thickness of ¼ inch, and is preferably welded to post  50 . In addition, fence rail holders  60  and  64  are preferably comprised of A36 steel. 
       FIG. 9  shows a single span of a fence  90  having a top rail  80 , middle rails  82  and  84 , and bottom rails  86  and  88 , as well as vertical posts  92  and  94  joining rails  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88  to form a rectangular shape. The single span of fence  90  preferably has a length of 4½ feet. 
       FIG. 10  shows a double span of a fence  100  having a top rail  80 , middle rails  82  and  84 , and bottom rails  86  and  88 , as well as vertical posts  92 ,  93 , and  94  joining rails  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88  to form a rectangular shape. The double span of fence  100  preferably has a length of 8½ feet. 
     The rails and posts of the single span of a fence  90  and the double span of a fence  100  are preferably welded together and are preferably comprised of ¾ inch by ¾ inch steel tube having a wall thickness of ⅛ of an inch. The steel tube is preferably comprised of ASTM 513 steel. In addition, rails and posts could also have a different cross sectional geometry such as circular, rectangular, etc. provided they have the same strength as the preferred ¾ inch by ¾ inch steel tube described above. In addition, a toeboard may be positioned between rails  86  and  88  to meet OSHA&#39;s toeboard requirements. 
       FIG. 11  shows a guardrail system  110  having a first guardrail support  10  and a second guardrail support  10  with a double span of fence  100  positioned thereon. A number of tests were conducted on the guardrail system to establish that the guardrail support and guardrail system complied with the OSHA requirements for a guardrail having a top rail height of 60 inches. Testing of the guardrail support shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and a guardrail system attached to a decking surface comprised of BB grade plywood having a thickness of ⅝″ attached to 6½ foot aluminum joists with a nailer strip and size  6   d  coated sinker nails was undertaken. In particular, guardrail posts were mechanically fastened to the plywood decking using size #8×2½ inch drywall/multipurpose screws described above through attachment holes on the first and second sides of the base. A span of fence was hung and pinned into place bearing on the guardrail supports. 
     A 200 pound outward load was applied by hanging a 200 pound load from a pulley attached to a fixed overhead anchorage point. The 200 pound load was applied to a single guardrail support having 2 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16  of the base. The guardrail support  10  withstood the 200 pound outward force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12 . The guardrail support  10  also withstood a 200 pound outward force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12  using 2 fasteners in the first side  14 , and 3 fasteners in the second side  16 , as well as when using 3 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16 . 
     Next, testing was performed on a guardrail system having a single span of fence retained between two guardrail supports  10  of the type shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The guardrail supports were spaced apart from each other by 8 feet. The 200 pound load was outwardly applied to the top rail of the span of fence at a distance of 60 inches above the base. The guardrail system withstood the 200 pound force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12  where one fastener was inserted through the first side  14  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports  10  and 2 fasteners were inserted through the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports  10 . 
     The guardrail system with a single span of fencing also withstood a 200 pound outward force when using 2 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports  10 . The guardrail system also withstood a 200 pound outward force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12  using 2 fasteners in the first side  14 , and 3 fasteners in the second side  16 , as well as when using 3 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports. 
     Further testing was performed on a guardrail system having a double span of fence as shown in  FIG. 11  with the double span of fence retained between two guardrail supports  10  of the type shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The guardrail supports were spaced apart from each other by 8 feet. The 200 pound load was outwardly applied to the top rail of the span of fence at a distance of 60 inches above the base. The guardrail system withstood the 200 pound force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12  where one fastener was inserted through the first side  14  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports  10  and 2 fasteners were inserted through the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports  10 . The guardrail system with a double span of fencing also withstood a 200 pound outward force when using 2 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports  10 . The guardrail system also withstood a 200 pound outward force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12  using 2 fasteners in the first side  14 , and 3 fasteners in the second side  16 , as well as when using 3 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail supports. In each of the tests above the fasteners used were size #8×2½ inch drywall/multipurpose screws described above. 
     Additional testing was performed on a guardrail support attached to a concrete surface using fasteners comprising size  16   d  double head nails with tie wire. A 200 pound outward load was applied in the manner described above when the guardrail support was attached to plywood decking. The guardrail support  10  withstood a 200 pound outward force applied at a height of 60 inches above the base  12  where one fastener was inserted through the first side  14  of the base  12  of the guardrail support  10  and 2 fasteners were inserted through the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail support  10 . The guardrail support  10  also withstood a 200 pound outward force when using 2 fasteners in the first side  14  and 2 fasteners in the second side  16  of the base  12  of the guardrail support  10 . 
     Thus, the guardrail support  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the guardrail system shown in  FIG. 11  using the guardrail supports  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  were able to withstand a 200 pound force applied outwardly at a distance of 60 inches above the base. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments provide for a guardrail support and guardrail system that meet the OSHA fall restriction regulations for a guardrail system having a height of 60 inches, providing a significant improvement in safety over guardrail systems having a height of 42 inches. 
     Example embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.