1910.25(b)(1): Stair Rails and Guardrails on Stairways
Employers must make sure stairways have handrails, stair rail systems and guardrail systems provided as required by 1910.28.
Key takeaways
- 1910.25(b)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 48 inspections, with $95,346 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (11), MI (5), TX (3).
- Related part: 1910.25(b) General requirements (207 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.25(b)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.25 Stairways, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with § 1910.28; 48 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.25.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.25(b)(1).
On November 19, 2024, an employee working for a specialty mulch manufacturer wascleaning and performing maintenance along with three coworkers. The crew was working on a catwalk on the roof of the plant. The employee stepped off of the catwalk and fell through a skylight…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: NY (11), MI (5), TX (3), PR (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CONCRETE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | CUMMING, IA | $12,768 |
| NATIONAL BUSINESS EQUIPMENT LLC. | ALBANY, NY | $9,931 |
| LIBERTY CASTING COMPANY, LLC | DELAWARE, OH | $7,955 |
| TMS INTERNATIONAL, LLC | ALIQUIPPA, PA | $7,566 |
| SHIPBUILDERS OF WISCONSIN INC. | MANITOWOC, WI | $7,448 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.25(b)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.25(b)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.25(b) General requirements 207 citations
- 1910.25(b)(3) 93 citations
- 1910.25(b)(7) 19 citations
- 1910.25(b)(5) 15 citations
- 1910.25(b)(2) 12 citations
- 1910.25(b)(5)(i) 12 citations
- 1910.25(b)(4) 11 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What railings does this rule cover?
Handrails, stair rail systems and guardrail systems on stairways.
Which rule sets when railings are needed?
They must be provided in accordance with 1910.28.
Is this a general industry rule?
Yes. It is part of 1910.25, the general industry stairway rule.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.25 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.