Free toolbox talk · Fall · 10 min

Stairways and Handrails

Construction and general industry · Ver en español

Talking points

  1. A handrail is required on stairways with four or more risers, or where the stairway rises more than 30 inches.
  2. Handrail height must be between 30 and 37 inches measured from the leading edge of the stair tread to the top of the rail.
  3. Stair treads must be at least 4 inches deep (for pan-type treads filled to the top), and risers must be between 6.5 and 12 inches high.
  4. Temporary stairs on construction sites must be kept clear of stored materials, debris, and tripping hazards at all times.
  5. Do not use a stairway that is still under construction unless it has been properly secured with handrails and is structurally complete.

Ask the crew

What's the most common stairway hazard you see on a jobsite — and how can we fix it today?

Standards this talk is built on

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

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