Stairway Hazards
- Slips, trips and falls on stairways are a major source of injuries and fatalities among construction workers. The rules covering stairways and their components generally depend on how and when stairs are used.
- Specifically, there are rules for stairs used during construction and stairs used temporarily during construction, as well as rules governing stair rails and handrails.
Slips, trips and falls on stairways are a major source of injuries and fatalities among construction workers.
Requirements
The following requirements apply to all stairways used during construction:
- Make sure there is a stairway at points of access where there is an elevation break of 19 inches or more.
- Stairways with four or more risers, or higher than 30 inches, must be equipped with at least one handrail.
- For stairways that will not be a permanent part of the building under construction make sure landings are at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide (76 x 56 cm) at every 12 feet (3.7 m) or less of vertical rise.
- Install stairways at 30 to 50 degrees from the horizontal.
- Do not exceed variations in riser height or stair tread depth more than 1/4 inch in any stairway system, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs.
- The platform for doors and gates opening directly onto a stairway must extend at least 20 inches (51 cm) beyond the swing of the door or gate.
- Secure metal pan landings and metal pan treads in place before filling.
- Make sure stairway parts are free of dangerous projections such as protruding nails.
- Correct slippery conditions on stairways.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-6. During construction, ensure stairways are installed at _____ from the horizontal.
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