What is a guideline regarding rollers for vehicular horizontal slide gates?

• A. Rollers must be exposed for visual inspection
• B. All rollers should be covered or guarded unless they are eight or more feet above ground level
• C. Rollers are exempt from guarding
• D. Rollers must be replaced yearly

Answer: (B)

Moving parts like rollers on vehicular horizontal slide gates create pinch and crush hazards. Keeping rollers covered or guarded reduces the risk of fingers, clothing, or tools getting caught as the gate moves, protecting people during both operation and maintenance. The guideline uses an eight-foot height as a practical threshold: if the rollers are eight feet or higher above ground, access is unlikely, so guarding isn’t required. This balances safety with practicality. Exposing rollers or claiming an exemption without the height criterion, or mandating a yearly replacement, would not align with the safety intent of protecting against entanglement and crushing injuries.