Trying to decide whether a guard rail should be recommended here or if I’m overstepping my boundaries? I’m standing below the retaining wall in a creek bed looking back up at the house.
I would definitely recommend it but it is unlikely to ever get installed. Yes, kids running around can trip and fall over that wall. Then you will get sued 
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I did the same as Simon says.
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Just mowing the lawn and backing up towards the wall would be a dangerous move.
I would certainly make a recommendation to install a railing for everyone’s safety.
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Is it a drop off >30"? Don’t over complicate things…
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It is ok to step out into the yard and evaluate a component even if it is not connected to or directly related to the home; especially for safety reasons.
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absolutely it’$ why were paid & we all wan’t to pi$$off the seller & reas percontation point ;~}
So, you are inferring that someone falling off the ledge at 29" or even 20" cannot be injured??
Don’t over complicate things.
If an injury can occur, it gets mentioned. Period!
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Absolutely!
My clients are purchasing the entire property, not just the home.
If you aren’t going to report on exterior influences to the safety of future occupants, stick to inspecting apartments and condo’s!!
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Not at all. Don’t be ridiculous. A homeowner can be injured in multiple ways throughout the day at their homes. But since I’m required to report on a 30" drop off requiring a guardrail, I do just that. If someone falls off and gets hurt on something other than that, so be it, I’m “off the hook…”
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LOL. So just how far do you go or where do you draw the line? I don’t have the time or notion to report on what if scenarios, which could be endless.
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Agreed. Bathtubs are deadly. I don’t report that.
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Or so you think. Good luck with that!
I recommend guardrail if over 30" high. Two years ago I was with a client and mentioned the need for guardrail on tall retaining walls and he showed me pictures on his phone of his teenage son who was running around the yard at night and fell over the retaining wall and landed face first on the concrete patio below. He broke several bones in his face which looked like a big purple watermelon with little slits for eyes.
Exactly…
Not going to hold by breath, lol.
There is two types of inspecting. Inspecting in your client’s best interest and inspecting in your best interest. CYA inspecting is part of everyone’s day, I get that. But, if I observe a component which may be a hazard to my client, their children, pets or personal property I will likely call it out; especially if it is a unique. I would consider this retaining wall unique…unlike a bathtub.
And just for further clarification’; 30" inches also applies to the ground slope for 36" past the base of the wall.
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I hear you and totally agree, if reasonable and especially if it’s something that should be reported via the SOP. In your case, you have a retaining wall/drop off over 30" on their property that should be reported on (hence my original comment, that you obviously perceived wrong). What’s so unique about it?
There is absostely no hazard or deficiency present.
What’s all this big deal squealn’ about?..?
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The following statement: “And just for further clarification’; 30” inches also applies to the ground slope for 36" past the base of the wall." …which code or standard (such as IBC, IRC, OSHA, etc) was this criteria derived from??