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OSHA Compliant Stairs: Our OSHA compliance |
The Lapeyre Stair Blog
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OSHA requirements for alternating tread stairs
General stair requirements §1910.25(b)
✔ Compliant fall protection ❺
✔ Uniform riser heights and tread depths ❷❸
Alternating tread stair requirements §1910.25(c)
✔ Slope between 50° and 70° from the horizontal ❶
✔ Minimum tread depth of 8.5” ❷
✔ Open risers if tread depth is less than 9.5”
✔ Minimum tread width of 7” ❸
✔ Distance between handrails of 17” to 24” ❹
Duty to provide fall protection 1910.28(b)
✔ Handrails on both sides ❺
OSHA classifies alternating tread stairs (alternating tread devices) as non-standard stairs and states they are acceptable to use in applications where it is not feasible to use standard stairs. §1910.25(b)(8)

Maximum safety, minimum space
Alternating tread stairs are safer and more comfortable than other space-saving devices.
OSHA requirements for alternating tread stairs
General stair requirements §1910.25(b)
✔ Compliant fall protection ❺
✔ Uniform riser heights and tread depths ❷❸
Alternating tread stair requirements §1910.25(c)
✔ Slope between 50° and 70° from the horizontal ❶
✔ Minimum tread depth of 8.5” ❷
✔ Open risers if tread depth is less than 9.5”
✔ Minimum tread width of 7” ❸
✔ Distance between handrails of 17” to 24” ❹
Duty to provide fall protection 1910.28(b)
✔ Handrails on both sides ❺
OSHA classifies alternating tread stairs (alternating tread devices) as non-standard stairs and states they are acceptable to use in applications where it is not feasible to use standard stairs. §1910.25(b)(8)

Maximum safety, minimum space
Alternating tread stairs are safer and more comfortable than other space-saving devices.
OSHA requirements for standard stairs
General stair requirements 1910.25(b)
✔ Compliant fall protection (guardrail system)
✔ Uniform riser heights and tread depths ❷❸
Requirements for standard stairs 1910.25(c)
✔ Slope between 30° and 50° from the horizontal ❶
✔ Maximum riser height of 9.5” ❷
✔ Minimum tread depth of 9.5” ❸
✔ Minimum width of 22” ❹
Duty to provide fall protection 1910.28(b)
Guardrail system requirements 1910.29(b)
Handrail requirements 1910.29(f)
✔ Top edge height of top rails is 42” ❺
✔ Maximum baluster spacing of 19” ❻
✔ Handrail height of 36” ❼
✔ Minimum finger clearance of 2.25” ❽

What type of stair is the best fit for your application?
Compare the space requirements for standard stairs and alternating tread stairs to determine which type of stair to choose.
OSHA requirements for standard stairs
General stair requirements 1910.25(b)
✔ Compliant fall protection (guardrail system)
✔ Uniform riser heights and tread depths ❷❸
Requirements for standard stairs 1910.25(c)
✔ Slope between 30° and 50° from the horizontal ❶
✔ Maximum riser height of 9.5” ❷
✔ Minimum tread depth of 9.5” ❸
✔ Minimum width of 22” ❹
Duty to provide fall protection 1910.28(b)
Guardrail system requirements 1910.29(b)
Handrail requirements 1910.29(f)
✔ Top edge height of top rails is 42” ❺
✔ Maximum baluster spacing of 19” ❻
✔ Handrail height of 36” ❼
✔ Minimum finger clearance of 2.25” ❽

What type of stair is the best fit for your application?
Compare the space requirements for standard stairs and alternating tread stairs to determine which type of stair to choose.
Additional OSHA requirements for all stairs
Additional stair requirements §1910.25(b)
✔ Minimum vertical clearance above each tread of 6’8”
✔ Landings/platforms at least the width of the stair
✔ Landings/platforms at least 30” deep
✔ Door/gate swing does not reduce usable depth less than 22”
✔ Capable of supporting five normal anticipated load (not less than 1000#)
Additional guardrail requirements §1910.29(b)
✔ Capable of withstanding force of at least 200#
✔ Must be smooth-surfaced
✔ Top rail diameter of at least .25”
Additional handrail requirements §1910.29(f)
✔ Capable of withstanding force of at least 200#
✔ Must be smooth-surfaced
✔ Have shape and dimension to allow firm grasp
✔ Must be free of projection hazards
OSHA-compliant products