Health and safety stairs regulations have been necessary due to numerous accidents that have been recorded on stairways.
This article will cover Health and safety stairs regulations by OSHA which gives standard requirements for a safe stairway and basic stairs safety tips.
Falls on Stairs Statistics
Consider these statistics from the National Safety Council.
- Over 1 Million injuries occur each year as a result of stairway falls.
- Staircase and stairway accidents constitute the second leading cause of accidental injury, second only to motor vehicle accidents.
- Each year, there are 12,000 stairway accident deaths.
Statistics also show that many of these falls are caused by various types of negligence.
Causes of Falls in the Workplace
- Defects in the stairs, stairwell, or stairway
- Improper or inferior lighting
- Dangerous stair risers
- Damaged or faulty steps
- Or defective railings or handrails.
Stairs should be in safe condition and be of suitable design and dimensions for their use.
Things that should be considered are:
- Are they well lit;
- Have handrails at an appropriate height that contrasts with the surroundings;
- Does it have good slip-resistance properties, particularly at the leading edge;
- Does it have marked edges;
- Are they free from trip hazards or obstacles?
Basic Stairs Safety Rules
- Hold on to the handrail.
- Make sure your stairs are up to code.
- Keep your stairs clear of clutter.
- Do not polish or wax your staircase.
- Make sure your staircase is well-lit.
- Install strong safety gates for babies and young kids.
- Consider carpeting your stairs.
- Assist the elderly and disabled, etc.
Reference documents for Health and Safety Stairs Regulations
Safer Work Stairs and Steps – Health and Safety authority
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