Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
(OP)
What is maximum height obstacle that you can have without requiring a set of stairs to step over it? For instance, a 6" curb doesn't need a set of stairs but a 3ft tall wall does. What about a 1ft tall wall? Is there an OSHA or IBC reference?






RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
The practical maximum height for people is usually about 8" or less and then addition steps that meet the appropriate standards for uniformity/variations of riser heights, tread height and depth that are in most of the usual codes and standards (IBC, etc.).
OSHA may have different standards depending on the use and environment environment. For example if an area is frequently use for access for wheeled dollies, and moving large loads, the "tread" depth may be the most critical item. OSHA requirements are quite to decipher/difficult because they are related to work and safety.
dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
The practical maximum height for people is usually about 8" or less and then addition steps that meet the appropriate standards for uniformity/variations of riser heights, tread height and depth that are in most of the usual codes and standards (IBC, etc.).
OSHA may have different standards depending on the use and environment environment. For example if an area is frequently use for access for wheeled dollies, and moving large loads, the "tread" depth may be the most critical item. OSHA requirements are quite to decipher/difficult because they are related to work and safety.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
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RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_docu...
1926.1051(a)
"A stairway or ladder shall be provided at all personnel points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided."
Note that this is from the construction standards, not the General Industry standards, but I don't see any requirement at all in the General Industry requirements.
Perhaps also of interest:
1910.23(c)(1)
Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides...
IE, if you have, say, an open lawn or parking lot with a "step" greater than 19", it should have stairs, and if it's higher than 4', then it should have a handrail.
I don't recall right offhand if there's any building code requirement that addresses this.
For an industrial site, the PIP standards for stairs and ladders might address this, I'm not that familiar with them.
I can tell you that stepping off a 12" high curb, it's easy to mis-judge the height when stepping down, so an unusually large step where people normally walk is not a good idea.
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
"Look for 3 things in a person intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don't have the last one, don't even bother with the first 2. W. Buffet
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
Note that if you treat it as a stair, there's also a minimum stair tread height, so that's not necessarily a reasonable interpretation, either.
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
"Look for 3 things in a person intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don't have the last one, don't even bother with the first 2. W. Buffet
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
RE: Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3124.pdf
"Look for 3 things in a person intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don't have the last one, don't even bother with the first 2. W. Buffet