Slips, trips, and falls are commonplace on stairs in workplaces and every team member can benefit from these excellent reminders about stairs safety.
Stairway in Office Building
Stairways are an extremely frequent walking surface in many workplaces. Falls from stairs can cause serious injuries as well as death. Employers need to take precautions at work to safeguard employees from trip, slip, and fall hazards on any work or walking surface. Employees are also held to an obligation to use stairs appropriately, according to the intended.
Since employees are often on the stairs and maybe even daily and it’s usually not a risky decision taking the stairs “take the stairs” when it’s a routine aspect of their work.
The more comfortable we feel while doing a task, the more likely we are to overlook risk. It is the “everyday” aspect of the exercise that can result in unsafe behavior that could lead to injuries when they are least likely. Most stairway workplace accidents occur when a team member isn’t paying attention, is hurrying, or not paying attention to their steps.
OSHA General Industry Standard 1910.28(b)(11)(i) stipulates that employers must ensure that each team member who is exposed to an unprotected edge or the edge of a stairway landing that is four feet (1.2 meters) or higher than the lower level is secured with a guardrail or stair railing system.
The most common stairs are:
- Landing Platform
- Handrail or Stair Rail System
- Steps (Risers)
- Every flight of stairs that has three treads and at most four risers should be fitted with stair railing systems and handrails.
- Except for the entrance, all stairway floors must be protected by the standard railing that is on the sides of all exposed sides.
According to the OSHA stair system, platform landings for stairways should have no obstructions, such as the accumulation of materials, debris, or trash. The gate or door that opens to a platform of a staircase must be fully open and not create an injury to tripping.
Since it appears to be an easy task to simply take a walk or climb the stairs, people are usually trying to do other things simultaneously. It is important to avoid distractions when you’re walking up or down the stairs, whether standing or standing on a landing for a stairway or in front of an entrance to or out of a staircase.
- Every team member should be aware of the following steps when stairs are in use at work:
- Always use handrails while ascending or descending any staircase.
- Be wary of weather conditions like snow, ice, or rain accumulation that could build up on the stairs’ steps.
- Steps should be kept clean and free of garbage or debris. Also, there should be no obstructions that could cause the stairs to slip.
- Don’t use stairs or landings as storage spaces even if it is only for a short time.
- Just take one small step at a moment when you are descending or ascending the stairs.
Employers are responsible for making sure that stairs in the workplace are safe. employees must inform management of any dangers they see on or around the stairs.
- Check stairways for any irregularities, like missing steps, damaged handrails, loose handrails spills, holes, grease or loose carpet/rugs.
- Look out for doors opening on the platforms of stairs.
- Make sure there is enough lighting for stairways.
The majority of workplace stairway accidents occur when a worker isn’t paying to their surroundings, they are hurrying and not paying attention to their feet. Do not carry any load using both hands while walking up or down the staircase. This can be dangerous for a variety of reasons:
- Your concentration is on making sure you are able to balance the burden
- Your vision is blurred and you’re unable to see the stairs ahead of you.
- Your hands are full to grasp an iron handrail.
Additional tips to include during your next safety discussion on stairs:
- Make sure that your shoes are secured before you take any stairs.
- If you are walking with other people Set a good example by walking down the stairs with care while in the handrail.
- Clean up trash or spills on the staircase.
Inspect any situation where the lighting is inadequate on any stairway in the workplace whether indoors or out.
Do not run up and down the stairs, and stay clear of distractions such as reading a newspaper or checking your mobile phone.
Stairways lead to the exterior of storage tanks that are used outdoors.
- Walking down and up the stairs is a common practice and we’ve done since the time we were little do not think that you are able to avoid the safety training regarding this subject. Accidents, trips, and falls are commonplace on stairs in workplaces and every employee can benefit from these excellent reminders on stairs safety.
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