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Stairways in Construction

For construction workers who use stairways on the job: know when a stairway or ladder must be provided, keep access points clear, recognize unsafe temporary stairs, and spot missing or wrong stairrails and handrails.

Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X: 1926.1050, 1926.1051, 1926.1052 and 1926.1060 (stairways and ladders, construction) · about 4 min read

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When a stairway or ladder is required

19 inches and up, and keep the way clear

These rules apply to stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair (including painting and decorating) and demolition.

The 19-inch rule

A stairway or ladder must be provided at every personnel point of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more, unless a ramp, runway, sloped embankment or personnel hoist is provided. A point of access is any area you use to pass from one area or level to another.

Keep access clear

Only one point of access between levels: it must be kept clear for free passage. If work or equipment has to block it, a second point of access must be provided and used.
Two or more points of access: at least one must be kept clear.

Temporary spiral stairs

You must not use any spiral stairway that will not be a permanent part of the structure.

Before you start: your employer must provide and install the required stairway and ladder fall protection before you begin the work that needs it.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1050(a) · 29 CFR 1926.1051(a) · 29 CFR 1926.1050(b) "Point of access" · 29 CFR 1926.1051(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1051(a)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.1051(a)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.1051(b)

Temporary and unfinished stairs

Pan stairs, skeleton stairs and slippery steps

Unfilled pan stairs

Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on pan stairs whose treads or landings will be filled with concrete later, unless the pans are temporarily filled with wood or other solid material at least to the top edge of each pan. Those temporary treads are replaced when worn below the top edge of the pan.

Skeleton metal stairs

Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on skeleton metal stairs unless they have secured temporary treads and landings that cover the entire tread and landing area.

Temporary treads

Made of wood or other solid material, installed the full width and depth of the stair.

Every stairway

Free of hazardous projections, such as protruding nails
Slippery conditions eliminated before the stairs are used to reach other levels
Riser height and tread depth uniform within each flight; variations not over 1/4 inch in any stairway system
Temporary stairways have landings at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide at every 12 feet or less of vertical rise

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1052(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(a)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(a)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(a)(3)

Stairrails and handrails

Four risers or 30 inches: rails required

When rails are required

A stairway with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches, whichever is less, must have:

At least one handrail, and
One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge. A stairrail system is the vertical barrier along the open side that keeps you from falling to a lower level.

Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings need guardrail systems.

What to look for

Stairrail heightInstalled after March 15, 1991: not less than 36 inches from the top of the rail to the tread surface. If the top rail also serves as the handrail: not more than 37 inches nor less than 36 inches

Handrail heightNot more than 37 inches nor less than 30 inches from the top of the handrail to the tread surface

Below the top railMidrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members or equivalent between the top rail and the steps

StrengthHandrails and top rails withstand at least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the top edge, downward or outward

Rails must be surfaced so they do not cause punctures or cuts or snag clothing.

Good practice: if a rail is missing, loose or splintered, do not use that stairway. Report it to your supervisor.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1050(b) "Stairrail system" · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(3)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(12) · 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(7)

Your training

What your employer must train you on

Your employer must provide a training program, as necessary, for each employee using ladders and stairways. It must teach you to recognize the hazards and the procedures to minimize them.

You must be trained by a competent person in these areas, as applicable:

The nature of fall hazards in the work area
Correct procedures for erecting, maintaining and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used
Proper construction, use, placement and care in handling of stairways and ladders
The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used
The standards in Subpart X

Retraining must be provided as necessary so you keep that understanding and knowledge.

This online course helps you learn the rules. It does not replace the training by a competent person that your employer must provide.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1060(a) · 29 CFR 1926.1060(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1060(b)

Need proof of training? The full course (15 min) adds practice questions, a job scenario, the final quiz and a certificate your employer can verify.

Take the course

Sources

29 CFR 1926 Subpart X

Fact-checked against the regulation text on October 09, 2026. This certificate records completion of awareness training based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1050, 1926.1051, 1926.1052 and 1926.1060. It is not an OSHA card or license, and it does not by itself meet the training requirements of 29 CFR 1926.1060. Your employer must still ensure that you have been trained by a competent person, as applicable, in the nature of fall hazards in the work area; the correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used; the proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all stairways and ladders; the maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used; and the standards contained in Subpart X; and your employer must provide retraining as necessary.

This guide explains the rule in plain words. Always read the regulation itself and your employer's site-specific procedures.