1910.25(b)(5): Platform Where a Door Opens on Stairs
When a door or gate opens directly on a stairway, employers must provide a platform, and the door swing must not reduce the platform's effective usable depth to less than 20 inches (51 cm) for platforms installed before January 17, 2017, or less than 22 inches (56 cm) for those installed on or after that date.
Key takeaways
- 1910.25(b)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $12,864 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (5), OR (3), TN (2).
- 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)(5) is one requirement inside 1910.25 Stairways, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). It includes 2 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) When a door or a gate opens directly on a stairway, a platform is provided, and the swing of the door or gate does not reduce the platform's effective usable depth to: 15 citations
(i) Less than 20 inches (51 cm) for platforms installed before January 17, 2017; and Open (b)(5)(i) 12 citations
(ii) Less than 22 inches (56 cm) for platforms installed on or after January 17, 2017 (see Figure D-7 of this section); 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.25.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: MD (5), OR (3), TN (2), AL (1), NE (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| OGLESBY PLANTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ALTHA, FL | $4,000 |
| MIDWEST STEEL WORKS, INC. | LINCOLN, NE | $2,903 |
| 317743051 - CRST EXPEDITED INC | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $2,186 |
| 317743259 - ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK MFG CO | EUGENE, OR | $1,822 |
| 317735536 - JALA INVESTMENTS LLC | PORTLAND, OR | $1,153 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.25(b)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.25(b)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.25(b) General requirements 207 citations
- 1910.25(b)(3) 93 citations
- 1910.25(b)(1) 48 citations
- 1910.25(b)(7) 19 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
Is a platform needed where a door opens onto stairs?
Yes. A platform must be provided when a door or gate opens directly on a stairway.
How deep must the usable platform be with the door open?
Not less than 20 inches for platforms installed before January 17, 2017, and not less than 22 inches for platforms installed on or after that date.
Does this apply to gates?
Yes. It applies to doors and gates.
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.