Stairways

Scope

This regulation establishes minimum requirements for the design, installation, and inspection of stairways.

The rule applies to stairways in general industry including:

• Standard
• Spiral
• Ship
• Alternating tread-type stairs

The regulation does not apply to the following:

• Stairs serving floating roof tanks
• Stairs on scaffolds
• Stairs designed into machines or equipment
• Stairs on self-propelled motorized equipment

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1910.25 — Stairways
• 29 CFR 1910.28 — Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection
• 29 CFR 1910.29 — Fall protection systems and falling object protection—criteria and practices

Key definitions

• Alternating tread-type stair: A type of stairway consisting of a series of treads that usually are attached to a center support in an alternating manner such that an employee typically does not have both feet on the same level while using the stairway.
• Handrail: A rail used to provide employees with a handhold for support.
• Open riser: The gap or space between treads of stairways that do not have upright or inclined members (risers).
• Rung, step, or cleat: The crosspiece of a ladder on which an employee steps to climb up and down.
• Ship stair (ship ladder): A stairway that is equipped with treads, stair rails, and open risers, and has a slope that is between 50 and 70 degrees from the horizontal.
• Spiral stairs: A series of treads attached to a vertical pole in a winding fashion, usually within a cylindrical space.
• Stair rail or stair rail system: A barrier erected along the exposed or open side of stairways to prevent employees from falling to a lower level.
• Stairway (stairs): Risers and treads that connect one level with another, and includes any landings and platforms in between those levels. Stairways include standard, spiral, alternating tread-type, and ship stairs.
• Standard stairs: A fixed or permanently installed stairway. Ship, spiral, and alternating tread-type stairs are not considered standard stairs.
• Tread: A horizontal member of a stair or stairway, but does not include landings or platforms.

Summary of requirements

Employers must:

• Equip all stairways that are four feet or more above a lower surface with stair rail systems and guardrails.
• Ensure stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings.
• Provide proper landing platforms.
• Inspect all stairways regularly and as necessary.
• Maintain stairways in a safe condition.