The handrail must be continuous for the run of the stairs or ramp. g. The requirements for handrails and stairs in the 2016 Final Rule led many employers to seek clarification from OSHA about when handrails are required on stairs, as well as handrail height. shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch. 29 (f) (1) (i) - Handrails are not less than 30 inches (76 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm. Balusters. The first drawing would not be compliant with the height requirements in §1910. Phone: 952-442-7520. For more information, visit or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. Handrail height of alternating tread devices and ships ladders, measured above tread nosings, shall be uniform, not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more. Minimum tread depth of 9. • Ends must return to wall, post or safety terminalStair rails installed before Jan. ( 1) Are installed at angles between 30 to 50 degrees from the horizontal; ( 2) Have a maximum riser height of 9. 1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210 1-800-321-OSHA 1-800-321-6742. (B) Definitions. When figuring out the tolerances for the OSHA guardrail height, the minimum allowed is 39". Note: Dimensions and stair requirements apply only to individual dwelling units in residential occupancies. They give size requirements of; 1910. 25(b) and (c). The Acceptable Solution F4/AS1 (Table 1) requires barrier heights in buildings other than housing to be 900mm on stairs and ramps, and 1100mm elsewhere. A hand on the handrail plus at least one foot on the ground at all times will give you two points of contact and more stability. 2. S. The vertical distance from the top of a tread to the top of the next higher tread. Theatre galleries, balconies, or other such elevated seating locations, where a 42-inch railing would obstruct the sight lines, may be protected by a guardrail or other barrier of not less than 34 inches in height provided that a horizontal concave safety ledge not less than 6 inches in depth and not less than 36 inches in effective width is installed beyond the. According to the ADA, handrails on stairs should be between 30 inches and 38 inches in height, measured from the leading edge of the stair tread. As a means of egress, exterior exit stairs must meet all the requirements set forth in IBC section 1011. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3214. From time to time, letters are affected when the Agency updates a standard, a legal decision impacts a standard, or changes in technology affect the. E - Tread run: between 25. Also see GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS for details about safety railings on landings and open hallways, porches, screened porches, balconies - horizontal walking surfaces. Figure D-12-- Handrail Measurement. . 28 and 1910. In All Other Areas . HTML PDF: 296-24-93503:Janek 15/11/2011 House building, National Building Regulations (SA), safety, SANS10400-NBR (SA) 133 Comments 97,848 Views. To prevent employees from being injured from falls, employers must: Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover). Weight-Bearing. 36 inches. General Physical Conditions and Structures Orders, Article 2. 28(b)(11)(i) “Each employee. With that in mind, we can refer to a “four-riser minimum” as a “four-step minimum. You can make your trip up or down a flight of stairs much safer if you remember to use the handrail. Risers (the vertical element connecting treads) that are no less than 6 inches in height and no more than 7. The minimum tread depth is 11 inches. Section 18(b) of The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, P. If stairs are too steep, and they don’t have railings, or if screens and balustrades are not strong and secure. Ships with rubber bumper attached to the center stringer. OSHA Requirements for standard stairs 1910. Paragraph (h) says that standard railings must be provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair. (b) A stair railing shall be of construction similar to a guardrail (see Section 3209) but the vertical height shall be in compliance with Section 3214(c). Rise. Then OSHA requires guards at 42". Railings & Guardrail: railings required on open sides of stairwells and 42" high handrail on the side, preferably right side descending. Viewrail offers 36”,. - UBC. That part of §1910. The employer must ensure: 1910. This is the construction code and does have some. Note: For specific code requirements, contact the Building Inspection Department at 952-442-7520 or 888-446-1801 or e-mail: info@mnspect. The requirements of OSHA safety regulations for the safe use of ladders and stairs (Subpart X, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926. 75(f) Access to wing walls from floors of dry docks shall be by ramps, permanent stairways or ladders meeting the applicable requirements of § 1915. 1052(c)(5), (c)(6)). E. D - Step width: 90 cm min. Enforcement. Reach us at at 844-314. 8 Stair Railing - A barrier erected along exposed sides of a stairway to prevent fall of persons. 44 inches (1. We hope you find this information helpful. 3 (2000)). • Stairs wider than 88 inches must also have a handrail down the middle of the stairway. where total occupant load of all. Extend past the length of the ramp and/or stairs. (a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing for each 88 inches of required width. This subpart applies to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair (including painting and decorating), and demolition workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926, and also sets forth, in. The final rule could appear in late 2021 or early. OSHA fall protection requirements for general industry and construction are addressed in 29 CFR 1910. 28(b)(11)(ii) states that a flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers must be equipped with stair rail system. Questions & answers on building, installing & inspecting stair rails and stair guard rails - safety & regulations. OSHA Fall Protection Requirements. OSHA publishes a final rule. Minimum 6′-8″ headroom. As a result, four inches would be the maximum allowable opening. Under this provision, a catwalk. A. The rule. Stairways and handrails that are part of a means of egress are addressed by the IBC (§1009 (2003), §1003. Governing codes shall be checked for their specific requirements, and government regulations, suchrequirements for when handrails and stair rail systems must be present on certain flights of stairs. §1620. Haydl: This is in response to your letter of June 24, 2004 regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for heights for stair rails and handrails and corresponding building code requirements. surfaces and their access; workplace, floor, wall and . Maximum 7 inch stair riser height and minimum 4 inch stair riser height. Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. In North Carolina, four or more steps or an ADA ramp with a rise of 6 inches require handrails on both sides. OSHA roof guardrail requirements state that the top rails and the mid-rails of the guardrail system must bet at least one-quarter of an inch thick. 5 inches. This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. General requirements. Handrails shall not project more than 4. In alterations, stairs between levels that are connected by an accessible route (e. 2. We are going to look at five key IBC code requirements for handrails. height. ( d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair. . Handrails should be between 30 and 37 inches above the step surface, with a clearance of at least three inches between the rail and the wall. be between 900mm and 1100mm above the floor or the nosing of a stair tread. Under §1910. According to OSHA, the top edge height of top rails (or equivalent guardrail system members) must be 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface. Stair Width: minimum 22". 91. Handrails ship unattached and bolt into place. This rule shall apply to temporary conditions where there is danger of employees or material falling through floor, roof or wall openings or from stairways or runways. You had specific questions regarding the use of ship's stairs in general industry. 1910. Contact us for help! For more information about our products, reach out to the EDGE Fall Protection team. 5 cm. scope, purpose and appli-cation 1. OR-OSHA Admin. In addition, interior and exterior stairs that are part of a means of egress must comply with requirements in the ABA Standards (§504). (1) Handrails are not less than 30 inches (76 cm) and not more than 38 inches (97 cm), as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top surface of the handrail (see Figure D-12 of this section). Additional OSHA handrail requirements. (1) A stairway shall be equipped with a stair railing or handrail as follows: (a) A stairway which is not more than 44 inches wide and which has enclosed sides shall have a handrail on the right descending side. 6 cm). OSHA 1910. 5-1982 - American National. For the slope of an IBC stair system, the horizontal run of the stair systems should be 1. 7 and the treads shall be capable of carrying a minimum concentrated load of 300 pounds at the center of any treadspan or exterior arc with a design factor of 1. 1910. 28 (b)(11)(ii): Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers are equipped with stair rail systems and handrails. This checklist covers regulations issued by the U. 4. 5. 23 (e) (3) (iii), installations, posts and top and intermediate rails are to be of 2-inch by 2-inch by 3/8-inch angles or other metal shapes of equivalent bending strength with posts spaced not more than 8 feet on centers. 25(f)(1) Have a series of treads includes at a slope a 50 to 70 degrees from the horizontal;OSHA published a proposed rule in May 2021 to clarify this. A handrail should be between 34 and 38 inches high. D* - Step width: 90 cm min. Handrails and the top rails of stair rail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in any downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of any point along the top edge of the rail. The International Building Code (IBC) is a model code for commercial construction that provides minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare of the occupants of new and existing buildings and structures. The following requirements apply to all stairways as indicated: (a) Stairways having 4 or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, must be equipped with:. 42˝ Min. 04(3)(b)6. 1053 (a) (4) (i) The minimum clear distance between the sides of individual-rung/step ladders and the minimum clear distance between the side rails of other fixed ladders shall be 16 inches (41 cm). Mr. Minimum single stair railing distance. 527. TO: ALL AREA DIRECTORS Paragraph 1926. 24. Commercial stair handrail height must be between 34” and 38” inches as measured from the stair tread nosing. • Stairs wider than 88 inches must also have a handrail down the middle of the stairway. Stair and ramp railings in the workplace must meet OSHA standards of 30 to 38 inches in. Learn how to comply with the OSHA requirements for the heights of handrail and top rail of stair rail systems, which vary depending on the installation date of the system. Safety and Health Regulations for Construction; Subpart: 1926 Subpart M; Subpart Title: Fall Protection; Standard Number: 1926. • There must be a stair rail at each open side. Handrails OSHA Requirements for handrails are as follows: Handrails and top rails of the stair rail systems must be able to withstand, without failure, at least 200 pounds (890 n) of weight applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge. The termination point may also be a newel post per FBC-R 311. Custom built to exact height. 866. OSHA Standards and Interpretation Letter: 06/16/1999 - Scaffolds: Lifelines, support lines, and suspension ropes cannot have a common anchor point. • Stairs wider than 44 inches must have a handrail on each side. 24 (e), if they have a rise of 7. 5 times the vertical rise. (d) Designated areas. 1052(c)(7) Dear Mr. A ladder or stairway must be provided when the worksite has a break in elevation of 19” (48cm) or more, and there is no runway, ramp, embankment, or personal hoist for workers’ access. An employer may use these guidelines as a starting point for designing guardrail systems. §3215. 2. • Handrails must be between 30 and 38 inches as measured from the leading edge of the stair tread. 1 This standard deals with the safety requirements to be provided in buildings where there is danger of persons or materials falling through floor or wall openings, or from stairways, or catwalks. OSHA. OSHA, however, opened a rulemaking proceeding in 1990 to revise. (2) A mid-rail shall be halfway between the top. Railings and toeboards must meet the specifications laid out in Article 16 in the California Code of Regulations. Plus, they are required to have an intermediary landing if the staircase has a rise of 12’ or more. Regarding risers and tread, OSHA stairs typically have an 8-inch open riser and a 9-inch tread. When such a railing would be impracticable or ineffective, other effective means shall be provided to prevent employees from falling into the water. A walkway handrail instead guardrail system is requested to anything catwalks height than 4' above ampere lower level. Not only are the treads generally deeper, but also there are usually more treads required. Australian Standard 1170. 1910. The Bulletin is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers inADA Chapter 5 Section 505. Stairways and ladders are a major source of injuries and fatalities among workers. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210 1-800-321-OSHA 1-800-321-6742. A handrail and a wall or OSHA Stair rail requirements - stair railings may serve as handrails, and vice-versa. Landings and platforms. Handrail must be continuous. Winding and spiral stairways shall be equipped with a handrail offset sufficiently to prevent walking on those portions of the stairways where the tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm). Basement entry stairs, steps, handrails: this document describes details for constructing, repairing, or inspecting basement stairs, railings, landings, treads, exterior entries to basements, basement stairwell covers & drains, and related conditions for safety and proper construction. Top of gripping surfaces of handrails shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum and 38 inches (965 mm) maximum vertically above walking surfaces, stair nosings, and ramp surfaces. Flat 2x4 and 2x6 handrails do not meet the requirements for graspable handrails. PK !éò2}Ý ê Á [Content_Types]. Box 483 Thonotosassa, FL 33592. Stair Railing Height Requirements: 34 to 38 Inches Stair railing should be no less than 34 inches high and no more than 38 inches high. Step Guardrail Height: Unlike ADA guidelines, the guardrails in OSHA steps also act as handrails when the top edge of the guardrail is between 36 and 38 inches above the leading edge of the stair tread. (b) General requirements. 7. Stair strength. 5 feet is constructed next to a pedestrian path, a handrail is required. Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with standard stair railings or standard handrails as specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, the width of the stair to be measured clear of all obstructions except handrails: (i) On stairways less than 44 inches wide having both sides enclosed, at. The IBC mimimum requirements for wide stairs are: A handrail on both sides of the wide stairway. The maximum riser height shall be 7 ¾ inches. The fundamental differences here that should be pointed out are the differences in allowable height and loading capacity. S. The first proposed change would make clear that “a stair rail system with a. 502(a)(1) Fall protection systems required by this part shall comply with the applicable provisions of this sectionThese requirements fall under three primary categories and include the safety, soundness, and security of the property. On stairways 88 or more inches wide, one handrai on each enclosed side, one stair railing on each open side, and one intermediate stair railing located. 5 inches at the walk line, a riser height maximum of 9. IMDG, TDG, MSHA, OSHA, and Canada OHS Regulations and Safety Online Training Since 2008 This document is provided as a training aid and may not reflect current laws and regulations. (1910. See Section 3209. The requirements of OSHA safety regulations for the safe use of ladders and stairs (Subpart X, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926. Chad Holder. OSHA published a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment in November 2016 that updated requirements for slip, trip and fall hazards. 0. Familiarity of the current standard and proposed changes will keep employers from being caught off guard should the standards change. General dimensions. Stair Rails and Handrails. 25 (b) (4)] IBC requires the same width as OSHA. The railings must be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds applied in. 1, Ex. 500, 23 April 1973 - Excerpt: Since cables or chains are commonly used as barriers or guards on construction projects at floor and wall. OSHA catwalk handrail requirements . At the top of stair flights, handrails shall extend a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally above landings, beginning directly above the first riser nosing. The IBC commercial handrail code states that each stair is provided with a separate handrail or grabrail attached to the guardrail. OSHA, however, opened a rulemaking proceeding in 1990 to revise Subpart D of Part 1910, including the current height requirements for stair railings and handrails. By explaining the requirements and specific changes in the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume Two 2019, you will understand your obligations and the effects on. 28(c)(2)(ii. L. 500, GUARDRAILS, HANDRAILS & GUARDS [PDF] Standard Number 1926. §3214. User note: About this chapter: Chapter 3 contains a wide array of building planning requirements that are critical to designing a safe and usable building. 451 (b) (3) (ii) The maximum distance from the face for plastering and lathing operations shall be 18 inches (46 cm). Recommendation: Providing visual contrast (light-on-dark or dark-on-light) on the top and bottom steps that is approximately 2 inches wide and located either on nosings or at the leading edges of treads is helpful for people with low vision. Handrails may project from each side of a stairway a distance of 3 1/2 inches into the required width. Spiral stairs shall have a minimum tread depth of 7. There shouldn't be obstructions on the top or sides of the handrails. 1. handrail s. 3 in the IRC code. We are going to look at five key IBC code requirements for handrails. 2. OSHA requires stair landings to be at least the width of the stair and at least 30 inches in depth, measured in the direction of travel [OSHA 1910. OSHA handrail standards state that the height of handrails should not be more than 37 inches or less than 30 inches from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread. 1926. 5”. OSHA go frame and requirements OSHA General stair requirements 1910. Also, OSHA determined that it was appropriate to adopt the one and one-half clearance required most recently in section 5. For stair width, expect a minimum of 44 inches in most cases and 36 inches in areas populated on average by less than 50 people. Handrail Requirements. Find out the top edge height, midrail spacing, force and deflection tests, and other factors that affect the safety of guardrail systems. (a) Stairways shall have handrails or stair railings on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate stair railing for each 88 inches of required width. 23 includes requirements for ladders, where OSHA defines handrail requirements on platforms and how high safety railings must be. A safety handrail provides stability with a handhold on a platform, walkway, stairway or. Common types of problems include malfunctioning electrical service or even missing handrails on stairs. 5 cm) in height. The letter from CAL/OSHA, which you enclosed for our review and comments, specifically addresses the issue of tower scaffold stairs and the fact that they may not be used as temporary stairways during construction of multistory buildings because they generally do not meet the Subpart X requirements, i. Systems can use stair rails as handrails if they meet strength tolerance, finger clearance, handhold, opening, surface texture and projection hazards requirements. The employer must provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces. The biggest difference between a guardrail and a handrail is that the area. (1) Stairways shall be al least 24 inches in width and shall be equipped with stair rails, handrails, treads, and landings. Mr. Learn the general and specific criteria for guardrail systems that meet the requirements of the OSHA Fall Protection Standards. It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This strength and stability is crucial. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), as long as the guardrail system meets all other criteria. Handrails have different height requirements than guardrails. 27 inches. ADA Chapter 5 Section 505. Exceptions: 1. 31-1/2 inches. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. What Are the Key Regulations for OSHA-Compliant Stairs? According to OSHA guidelines, the minimum dimension for landings is 22” wide by 30” deep; all stairs with four or more risers must have handrails and guardrails; variations in riser height or stair tread depth must not exceed . [Statutory Authority: RCW 70. 2). S. 10. For more information, visit or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. OSHA stairs requirements for alternating tread stairs General OSHA stair requirements 5 Compliant fall protection 2 3 Uniform riser heights and tread. A stair with a single riser or with two risers and a tread is permitted at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11 where the risers and treads comply with Section 1011. Dear. The IBC defines the various design requirements for handrails, providing clear and concise specifications. Minimum handrail wall clearance of 1. Stairways. Rod Smith, P. 3. The employer must ensure: (1) Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with § 1910. Therefore, if your stair railings are 30-34" as specified in §1910. 9 for additional requirements. This section covers the general requirements for installing, using, and maintaining handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems on all stairways, except for some exceptions. • There must be a stair rail at each open side. Beyond that, OSHA outlines several general handrail requirements: Stairways with four or more risers (or that rise more than 30 inches in height – whichever is less) must have at least one. Maximum riser height of 9. WSR 99-03-065, § 246-359-520, filed 1/18/99. 5 to 1 cm*. - to “one stair rail system with handrail on each open side”. . Open sides of stairs require a stair rail, sometimes with a handrail ("stair rail system with handrail"), and (per the current text of the table) sometimes without ("stair rail system"). 28(b)(11)(ii) provides handrail requirements. 2. Our portable guard railing is 42 inches tall. OSHA requires railings on open sides of stairwells and a handrail on at least on the side, preferably the right side descending at 42″ high. 07 to 8. 23(e)(5)(iii), states in part: "The length of brackets shall be such as will give a clearance between handrail and wall or any projection thereon of at least 3 inches. Law and Regulations ; Federal Registers ; Open for Comment ; Regulatory Agenda ; Standard Interpretations ; Training Requirements by Standard ; Enforcement Back. If your system was installed before January 2017, the mandatory height decreases to 30 inches. At the top of a stair flight, handrails shall extend horizontally above the landing for 12 inches (305 mm) minimum beginning directly above the first riser nosing. 28 and 1910. A proposed rule announced by OSHA on May 20 would update certain handrail and stair rail system requirements for the agency’s general industry walking-working surfaces standard. Extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight. 1052 (b) - OSHA does not have the legal authority to evaluate and certify products. 1910. Outdoor Stairs: Building codes may have specific requirements for handrails on outdoor stairs, particularly if there are multiple levels or steep inclines. . The standard prohibits using repaired wire. The run (tread length) should be a minimum of 223mm and a maximum of 320mm. Minimum 8. ) (h) Vertical Clearance. A stair railing must be similar to a standard railing but the height must be between 30 and 36 inches from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread. 23 and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, respectively, in the Code of Federal Regulations. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. 5”. OSHA requirements for stairs also dictate that any spiral stair must have a handrail. With the help of the members of NADRA, the 2022 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) is now officially complete and ready for printing. OSHA is therefore proposing two separate provisions for stairs with two open sides and a width of less than 44 inches: The corrected requirements for new handrails and stair rail systems (located in Table D-2), and a separate provision to retain the current requirements for already existing handrails and stair rail systems. Find out the enforcement. So going back to rfied112's orginal question. e. For adequate safety to be provided for the user, unlike conventional stairs that only requires a handrail at one side, ship ladders require. 5˝ 11˝. See full disclaimer at. The employer must ensure:505. 75 inches each. It also provides requirements for temporary service, metal pan landings and treads, and handrail height and offset. This is more than the 1. The present Standard, 29 CFR 1910. 16 OSHA Assistance. Stairways wider than 1000mm should have a handrail on each side. 23 – Walking-Working Surfaces. 2. Minimum 11 inch stair tread depth. Handrail height, measured above stair tread nosings, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be uniform, not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). . The OSHA rules and standards regarding handrails are in the section about the fall protection systems. One stair rail system each open side. ADA handrails with a non-circular cross-section should have a perimeter dimension between 4″ and 6. Stair Rails as Handrails. The basics of handrail standards and when they apply. Temporary Stairs. The 2010 Standards set minimum requirements – both scoping and technical – for newly designed and constructed or altered State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. At least one handrail must be provided for stairs with four or more risers or 30 inches of ascent. 5" tall, with no more than a 1/4" gap at the bottom. Load-capacity of 1,000 lbs. Re: Stair rail and hand rail heights; §1926. RAILINGS open-sided stairs < 44” require 1 stair rail/side; open-sided stairs > 44” require 1 stair rail and 1 separate handrail/side. 1 scope. Table D-2 under section 1910. • Stair rail system: • Top rail may also serve as handrail if height of the system is between 36 and 38 inches. Handrail ends shall be returned to a wall or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminations. A spiral stair with these requirements that is shipped in one section will be an inexpensive, easy-to-ship. S. The provision refers to existing Table D–2, Stairway Handrail.