1910.25(c)(4): Minimum Width of Ship Stairs
Employers must make sure ship stairs have a minimum width of 22 inches between the vertical barriers on each side.
Key takeaways
- 1910.25(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $5,968 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OR (3), AK (2), MN (2).
- Related part: 1910.25(c) Standard stairs (77 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.25(c)(4) 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
(4) Have a minimum width of 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical barriers (see Figure D-8 of this section). 11 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 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: OR (3), AK (2), MN (2), NE (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 317742059 - EUGENE HOTEL SL LLC | EUGENE, OR | $2,118 |
| 317736555 - REAL WOOD PRODUCTS CO | EUGENE, OR | $1,383 |
| 317742378 - WILEY MT INC | MCKENZIE BRIDGE, OR | $1,177 |
| 109360 - PLASMAN PRECISION PARTS LLC | HOPKINS, MN | $750 |
| 109877 - FRASER STEEL LLC | ALBERTVILLE, MN | $540 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.25(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Stairway Width (2024-10-17)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.25(c) Standard stairs 77 citations
- 1910.25(c)(2) 33 citations
- 1910.25(c)(3) 21 citations
- 1910.25(c)(1) 3 citations
- 1910.25(c)(5) Exception to paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this section 1 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How wide must ship stairs be?
At least 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical barriers.
Where is the width measured?
Between the vertical barriers, as shown in Figure D-8 of 1910.25.
Is this rule about ship stairs only?
Yes. Paragraph (c) of 1910.25 covers ship stairs.
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.