1910.265(c)(5): Stairways in Sawmills
Employers must build sawmill stairways to OSHA subpart D, provide a standard handrail on at least one side or any open side, and keep stairways adequately lit. Stairs more than four feet wide need a handrail on each side, and stairs more than eight feet wide need a third handrail in the center.
Key takeaways
- 1910.265(c)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $37,223 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (4), OR (2), GA (1).
- Related part: 1910.265(c) Building facilities, and isolated equipment (103 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.265(c)(5) ("Stairways") is one requirement inside 1910.265 Sawmills, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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
(5) Stairways — 13 citations
(i) Construction. Stairways shall be constructed in accordance with subpart D of this part. 5 citations
(ii) Handrails. Stairways shall be provided with a standard handrail on at least one side or on any open side. Where stairs are more than four feet wide there shall be a standard handrail at each side, and where more than eight feet wide, a third standard handrail shall be erected in the center of the stairway. Open (c)(5)(ii) 7 citations
(iii) Lighting. All stairways shall be adequately lighted as prescribed in paragraph (c)(9) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.265.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.265(c)(5).
At 2:15 p.m. on February 5, 2024, an employee working for a sawmill was watchinga conveyor/woodchipper machine to ensure that lumber pieces were moving through the machinery properly. The employee was watching as the pieces moved along the vibrating conveyors and onto the main conveyor…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: WI (4), OR (2), GA (1), MN (1), PA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC | FLORENCE, WI | $13,750 |
| POLLARD LUMBER CO., INC. | APPLING, GA | $10,000 |
| JOHNSON LUMBER COMPANY LLC | CARTHAGE, NY | $3,972 |
| TIGERTON LUMBER COMPANY | TIGERTON, WI | $2,578 |
| 317741727 - ELK CREEK FOREST PRODUCTS LLC | BORING, OR | $2,471 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.265(c)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.265(c)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.265(c) Building facilities, and isolated equipment 103 citations
- 1910.265(c)(18) Conveyors 34 citations
- 1910.265(c)(18)(i) Standards 34 citations
- 1910.265(c)(4) Walkways, docks, and platforms 30 citations
- 1910.265(c)(4)(iv) Elevated walks 21 citations
- 1910.265(c)(26) Mechanical stackers and unstackers 8 citations
- 1910.265(c)(5)(ii) Handrails 7 citations
- 1910.265(c)(4)(vi) Hazardous locations 2 citations
- 1910.265(c)(2) Work areas 1 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
How many handrails are required on a stairway?
At least one standard handrail, on at least one side or any open side.
When are handrails needed on both sides?
Where the stairs are more than four feet wide.
When is a center handrail required?
Where the stairs are more than eight feet wide.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.265 (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 2026-10-21
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.