1910.25(b)(3): Uniform Stair Risers and Treads
Employers must make sure stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.25(b)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 93 times in the last 3 years, in 93 inspections, with $150,895 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MN (13), WI (9), TN (8).
- 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)(3) 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
(3) Stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings; 93 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.25.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.25(b)(3).
At 9:20 a.m. on July 6, 2024, an employee working as a janitor for a restaurant was working alone retrieving trash bags. The employee walked into the storage room, which was located along the north wall of the kitchen. The storage room contained a hatch…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 39 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Top states: MN (13), WI (9), TN (8), MD (7), NY (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GABRIEL CARE, INC. | FALL RIVER, MA | $16,550 |
| CENTRO DE SALUD DE LARES INC. | LARES, PR | $10,853 |
| COUNTY MATERIALS CORP. | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $8,512 |
| NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $7,000 |
| BEGERT STAINLESS, INC. | MARSHFIELD, WI | $6,050 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.25(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.25(b)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.25(b) General requirements 207 citations
- 1910.25(b)(1) 48 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
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Frequently asked questions
What does this rule require of stairs?
Uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings.
Why does uniformity matter?
Steps that vary in height or depth can cause trips and falls.
Where does uniformity apply?
Between landings.
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.