Abstract: A guard rail has at least one horizontal rail composed of rail elements made of wood, and wooden posts coupled to the rail. Each post supports each of the two adjacent elements of the rail. Each element of the rail is provided with a metal connecting member at its ends for connection to the adjacent end of an adjacent element in the rail. The connecting member comprises at least one tubular, metal member retained approximately halfway in two recesses provided in each of the two adjacent ends of two successive elements of the rail.