OSHA’s – 1910.25 Stairways– Important things to know

General Requirements, Stairways

• Employers shall ensure the size of stairway landings or platforms is not less than the stair width, and not less than 30-inches in depth, as measured in the direction of travel.
• Additionally, employers ensure individual stairs can support at least five-times the normal anticipated live load, and never less than a concentrated load of 1,000 pounds, applied at any point on the stairway.

Standard Stairs

• Employers must install standard stairs, at angles between 30 and 50 degrees from the horizontal.
• Requires that employers ensure standard stairs have a MAXIMUM riser height and MINIMUM tread depth of 9.5-inches, with an exception for stairs installed prior to January 17, 2017
• Employers must ensure standard stairs have a minimum width of 22-inches between vertical barriers, such as stair rails, guardrails or walls.

Update — 2026 Stairway Safety & Compliance:
OSHA 1910.25 remains a foundational standard for stairway safety, not only in industrial spaces but also in building maintenance and rooftop access zones. Stairways are often a critical part of safe egress and access routes used by window cleaning, rope access, and fall-protection crews. Understanding how this standard integrates with 1910.22 (walking/working surfaces) and fall-protection planning helps building owners avoid hazards, inspections, and liability.

VERY INTERESTING… ANGLES RECOMMENDED- for Ramps, Standard Stairs, Alternating Tread-Type Stairs or Ship Stairs, or Ladders.

How to determine what type of device should be used, is based on the slope to the higher level, a worker is needing access to:

≤ to 30 0 Ramps

30 0 to 50 0 Standard Stairs

50 0 to 70 0 Ship Stairs or Alternating Tread-Type Stairs

60 0 to 90 0 Ladders

Tell me MORE about RAMPS – the 2018 International Building Code, Section 1010 – addresses ramps as follows:

• Ramps surfaces must be stable, firm, and slip resistant.
• Exposed exterior ramps and their approaches are to be constructed to prevent the accumulation of water on walking surfaces.
• Ramps as a part of egress (exiting) can only have a maximum slope of 1:12.
• The maximum rise for any run is 30-inches (then there has to be a landing, before an additional ramp is added, if required).

What OSHA 1910.25 Covers

OSHA 1910.25 establishes minimum requirements for stairways used as access or egress routes — including in building maintenance, rooftop access points, and construction staging areas.

This standard applies to:

• Permanently installed stairways
  
• Fixed ladders transitioning to stairs
  
• Roof access stairways
  
• Stairways used by maintenance or window-cleaning crews

Key OSHA Requirements for Stairway Safety

1. Stair Treads & Risers

• Uniform dimensions for depth and height
  
• Non-slip surfaces where required

2. Handrails & Guardrails

• Secure handrails on both sides
  
• Required for stairways over a set rise
  
• Appropriate height and grip requirements

3. Landing Platforms

• Required at every 12 feet of vertical rise
  
• Must be free of obstructions and hazards

4. Lighting

• Adequate lighting is required to prevent slips or missteps
  
• Especially critical during roof access or maintenance

Stairways & Fall Protection Planning

OSHA 1910.25 by itself focuses on stairway geometry and safety — but when stairways serve as access points to elevated work areas, they must tie into broader fall-protection strategies:

• Stair access to rooftops must be paired with current walking/working surface controls (OSHA 1910.22)
  
• Guardrails and handrails serve as fall barriers but may need fall-protection connections
• Stairway access paths used by technicians must be clear of obstacles and hazards

Common Stairway Safety Violations

Building owners and facility managers often overlook:

• Missing or deteriorated handrails
  
• Inconsistent tread heights
  
• Blocked access points
  
• Poor lighting near stairs used for access
  
• Improper guardrail height

These violations lead to OSHA citations and real safety risk.

Stairway Best Practices for Building Owners

• Conduct regular stairway audits
  
• Keep routes clear of debris
  
• Replace worn treads promptly
  
• Ensure lighting and signage are adequate
  
• Train maintenance crews on hazard recognition

Taking these steps reduces slip/fall risk and supports compliance with intersecting OSHA standards.

Important things to know, review more articles OSHAs

OSHA’s – 1910.22 General Requirements

OSHA Recognized 3-Levels of Skill- Work at Height

Important Definitions per OSHA

OSHA’s – 1910.140 Personal Fall Protection Systems

OSHA’s – 1910.29 Fall Protection Systems & Falling Object Protection- Criteria and Practices

OSHA’s – 1910.28 Duty to have Fall Protection & Protection from Falling Objects

OSHA’s – 1910.30 Training Requirements

OSHA’s – 1910.23 Ladders- Fixed and Portable

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• Fall Protection Systems
• Fall Protection Consulting
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