COMMON OSHA DEFINITIONS/EXAMPLES

STAIR RAIL/STAIR RAIL SYSTEMS

REQUIREMENTS used on stairs, can include screens or other protections, top rail ≥42” H, w/ midrail, ≥ 200lb load
GUARDRAILS
1910 SUBPART D used on platforms and runways, ≥42” H ± 3”, w/ midrail
HANDRAILS
COMPLI
used only on stairs > 44” W, must be 30-38” H, 2.25” clearance, ≥ 200lb load
LY
AN

STANDARD STAIRS
FUL

REGULATIONS

1910
T
NS
OSH

fixed or permanently installed stairs, excluding ship, spiral or alternating tread-type stairs
23,25,29
A
IO

RE T
G ULA

MOBILE LADDER STANDS (MAUI) and MOBILE LADDER STAND PLATFORMS (Rollastep/Aerostep)
NOTE: MARINE TERMINALS AND PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM (“PFAS”)
GANGWAYS GOVERNED BY 1917 body harness, anchorage and connector to arrest an employee’s fall
SUBPART F
LADDER SAFETY SYSTEM (“LSS”)
attached to a fixed ladder usually consisting of a carrier, safety sleeve, lanyard, connectors and body
harness to eliminate or reduce falls from ladders. Excludes cages or wells.

STAIRS
GENERAL
stairs ≥ 4’ H or w/3 treads and 4 risers require a stair rail/stair rail system
TREADS
must support ≥ 1,000 lb, minimum depth ≥ 9.5”
RISERS
must be uniform between landings, 30-50 deg, ≤ 9.5” H
WIDTH
≥ 22” between railings
RAILINGS
open-sided stairs < 44” require 1 stair rail/side; open-sided stairs > 44” require 1 stair rail and 1 separate
handrail/side
HEIGHT CLEARANCE
minimum 6’6” clearance from nose of tread to overhead obstruction
SHIP STAIRS
only usable where standard stairs are impractical, 50-70 deg, rise 6.5”-11”, tread ≥ 4”, width ≥ 18”

PLATFORMS AND RUNWAYS (CATWALKS)

GENERAL
a platform or runway higher than 4’ requires guardrails, no substitution (i.e., no chains or other barriers)
PLATFORMS
must be ≥ width of stairs and ≥ 30” deep
RUNWAYS (Catwalks)
must be ≥ 18” W
DOOR CLEARANCE
≥ 22” from edge of open door to edge of platform

LADDERS
GENERAL
new or replacement ladders ≥ 24’ H require PFAS or LSS
RUNGS
must be uniform and between 10” – 14” apart; ≥ 16” wide
CLEARANCES
≥ 30” on climbing side or 24” w/ deflector plate, ≥ 7” on back side, 15” from centerline
GRAB BARS
must extend 42” above landing
SAFETY GATE
must have a self-closing gate that swings away from ladder, w/top rail and midrail

219 Safety Avenue, Andrews, SC 29510 \ P 866.761.7225 \ F 803.774.7233 \ Erectastep.com

 Normal Clearance Fixed ladder Reduced clearance
OSHA Requirements dimensions and side Deflector plate for head

Ladders 30 in
(76 cm)
floor,
platform,
clearances hazards

min roof, or 24 in
10-14 in (25-36 cm)
other (61 cm)
on center,
obstruction Uniformly spaced min

16 in (41 cm)
60º
min clearance
between side rails 32 in
(81 cm)
15 in (38 cm) min
min clearance to
10-14 in any permanent
(25-36 cm) max obstruction for
(uniform space) ladder without
cage or well
7 in (18 cm)
to centerline
of rungs

OSHA Requirements Door

22 in
Stairs

Stairs Platform

Nosing Door Swing

Tread Angle Type

Minimum Tread
Width 22 in (56 cm) _< 30º Ramps
Minimum Tread Riser 30º – 50º Standard Stairs
Depth 9.5 in (24 cm)
50º – 70º Ship Stairs
Maximum Riser
Height 9.5 in (24 cm) 50º – 70º Alternating Tread-Type Stairs
60º – 90º Ladders

Stair width Enclosed One open side Two open sides

Less than 44 One stair rail system with handrail on
At least one handrail One stair rail system each open side.
inches (1.1 m) open side.

44 inches (1.1 One Stair rail system with handrail

One stair rail system with handrail
m) to 88 inches One handrail on each enclosed side on open side and one handrail on
on each open side.
(2.2 m) enclosed side.

One stair rail system with handrail on One stair rail system with handrail
One handrail on each enclosed
Greater than 88 open side, one handrail on enclosed on each open side and one
side and one intermediate handrail
inches (2.2 m) side, and one intermediate handrail intermediate handrail located in the
located in the middle of the stair
located in the middle of the stair. middle of the stair.

OSHA Requirements
Guard/Hand Rails
Intermediate
Post Top Rail Vertical Member 30 in – 38 in
(76 cm – 97 cm)
Post Post
42 in ( _+ 3 in)
(107 cm _+ 8 cm) Walking-
Mid Rail Working
Surface

19 in (48 cm) Max

219 Safety Avenue, Andrews, SC 29510 \ P 866.761.7225 \ F 803.774.7233 \ Erectastep.com