Most facilities utilize stairways in one way or another for daily or occasional business purposes. This can be stairs between floors, stairs to a storage basement or storage attic, or stairs out of the back loading dock of a warehouse. Regardless of why there are stairs, or how often they are used, if there are stairs in your facility, then they must be up to code as per OSHA Standard 1926.1052.

Whether your staircase is temporary or permanent, under construction or in use, this standard must be consulted before any changes are made, and at least annually during audits to ensure stairways remain safe for employees and customers. This standard regulates the size of steps, the height of steps, the dimensions of landings, the angle of the stairway, the material used to create the stairways, doors and gates on a stairway, the condition of the stairway, stairways under construction, stair-rails, and handrails. Stairways must be kept clear of clutter and debris, as well as “hazardous projections, such as nails.” There must be adequate treads, and all steps and landings must be filled with concrete or at least covered by a hard, solid, wooden plank. All materials used in stair construction must be solid, firm materials, and must ensure safety. All steps must be of uniform height, width, and depth. And don’t forget to hang proper signage as applicable.

If, after reading this brief synopsis, you have any questions about the stairways in your facility, or about any remodeling projects you are planning which involve stairways, please contact us to get more information on this important OSHA standard. And if you have anything to add about this topic, please leave a comment.