Maximum obstacle height without requiring stairs 1

[Gumpmaster]

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?

 

[concretemasonry]

Much depends of the application and use of the "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.

 

[concretemasonry]

Much depends of the application and use of the "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.

 

[IRstuff]

If this needs to be ADA compliant, then you'll need both steps and a ramp.

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[Gumpmaster]

There is no nead for ADA and no ramps. Just a tall curb.

 

[Gumpmaster]

Also, this is an industrial site, not inside a building.

 

[JStephen]

I'm not sure there's a definitive answer. However, from the OSHA CFR documents,

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10837

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.

 

[Gumpmaster]

Thanks, that's about what I was looking for. It's interesting there's no standard on this.

 

[Ron]

Typical height of a stair riser is 7 inches. To protect your liability, stay close to that.

 

[Bagman2524]

1926 is for Construction requirements not for a permanent site. 1910.23 & .24 are the correct OSHA requirements for permanent construction. As mentioned above OSHA 1910.23(c)(1) requires any floor surface 4' above the adjacent area to have a standard rail to protect from falls. The section that identifies where stairs are required is 1910.24(b). It only states that fixed stairs shall be provided for access from one structure level to another. It doesn't give a minimum height between the different levels. For your case, if it's just a matter of stepping over a curb to get into a diked in area around a tank or equipment I don't think a stair is necessary.

"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

 

[JStephen]

I spent a few minutes at lunch, and couldn't really find anything else on this. It occurred to me there might be sidewalk standards that said if a step was over X high, multiple steps were required, but couldn't find anything to that effect. There's all kinds of info about wheelchair ramps, etc., but nothing to say you can't have a 5' high curb next to the road. Building code didn't seem to address it even in buildings.

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.

 

[MarcG]

Since you requested an IBC reference, 1003.5, is going to to tell you a single step up to 7" or use sloped surfaces, but since you are actually in a yard and not in a building this may not apply to you but could serve as guidance.

 

[Bagman2524]

OSHA 3124 under General Requirements states "A stairway or ladder must be provided at all worker points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more and no ramp, runway, embankment or personnel hoist is provided."

"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

 

[Gumpmaster]

Thanks Bagman, that's as close as anything I've seen. It's inteded for stepping from one elevation to another, not quite my situation (it's an isolated curb), but helpful nonetheless.

 

[Bagman2524]

Here's a link to 3124

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