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Safe Design Use Stairs

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77 views4 pages

Safe Design Use Stairs

Uploaded by

madushanka
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act)

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (WHS Regulation)

Slips, trips and falls

 SAFEWORK NSW 

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS,


SAFE DESIGN AND USE OF STAIRS
Use this information to reduce falls on stairs and steps at your workplace.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR STAIRS AND STEPS1
All risers and goings on the same flight of stairs should have uniform dimensions within a tolerance of ±5mm.

Tread Going (G)

Nosing

Angle of stairways Rise (R)

RISER AND GOING DIMENSIONS


Rise (R) Going (G) Slope relationship (2R + G)
Range (mm) Min Max Min Max Min Max
AS1657 130 225 215 355 540 700

TREAD AND NOSING


• A tread should extend across the full width of the stairway.
• A tread surface should be slip resistant.
• Nosing/edge of step should be slip resistant, in good condition and clearly visible against the
background (in all lighting conditions).

ANGLE OF STAIRWAYS
The angle of stairways should be between 20 and 45 degrees to the horizontal tread. It is recommended
the angle be between 30 and 38 degrees.
1 Based on Australian Standards 1657 (2018) Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
SAFE DESIGN AND USE OF STAIRS Slips, trips and falls

FLIGHTS AND LANDINGS


• A single flight should have a minimum of two risers and maximum of 18 risers.
• Adjacent flights should be connected by a landing.
• Stairway landings should not be less than the width of the stairway.
• A standing space of at least 600 mm that is clear from cross-traffic and a door swing or any other
structure must be provided.

COMMON HAZARDS WHEN USING STAIRS


1. ISOLATED, SHORT OR IRREGULAR STEPS
Isolated, short steps and irregular or inadequate stair dimensions can cause falls.
Isolated step: An isolated or surprise step is a single step that is not clearly visible or expected.
• Remove any unnecessary level changes and single steps where possible.
• Highlight isolated steps with nosing that is slip-resistant and in a different pattern/colour to the tread.
• Highlight the isolated step with a handrail.
Short step: A short step does not provide adequate support for the ball of the foot to safely walk down
stairs without slipping.
• Check to see if the ball of the foot fits on the step when walking on them. Note the recommended
going dimension.
• Fix short steps and highlight short steps with different patterned or coloured slip resistant nosing.
Irregular steps: An irregular step is longer or shorter than the other steps in a flight of stairs.
• Fix irregular steps and highlight irregular steps with different pattered or coloured slip resistant nosing.
• Make sure handrails are provided.

Checking for irregular steps


Marking and checking indicates if steps are inconsistent in dimensions.
1. Mark the step rises starting from the bottom step on a sheet of A4 paper.
2. Compare the markings to see if there is a difference in step dimensions. If a difference is noticed,
measure the rises and goings with a ruler.

1. Mark the rise and 2. Check all


going of the step the steps for
using a piece of paper differences

2 SAFEWORK NSW
SAFE DESIGN AND USE OF STAIRS Slips, trips and falls

2. HANDRAILS2
• Handrails are a support aid when using stairs. Handrails need to be easy to firmly grasp if a person
loses balance.
• Each stairway should have at least one handrail. Stairways wider than 1000mm should have a
handrail on each side.
• Handrails are required to:
– be between 900mm and 1100mm above the floor or the nosing of a stair tread
– shaped for people to easily grasp their hand and fingers (like a ‘power grip’) around the handrail
(circular or rectangular in shape)
– have a minimum hand clearance of 50mm between the handrail and adjacent
structure – there should not be any sharp edges or features that could cause
injury during use
– provide unrestricted continuous movement of your hand on the upper surface
along the length of the handrail. There is no obstruction on or above the
handrail that could get in the way when using the handrail Power grip

– be visually contrasting to its surroundings.

3. LIGHTING AND VISUAL CUES


Visibility and detectability of stairs, handrails and hazards can be improved by:
• adequate and even (avoiding shadows/glare) lighting on stairs, including
local lighting at the handrail if needed.
• contrasting materials:
– on the nosing to minimise over/under stepping – contrasting material
should be installed along the edge of the step Nosing
– for the handrail for easy detection edge
– that provide a high visual difference to the background. Check the position
visual contrast between the tread and nosing in a black and white
image of the stairs.
• avoiding posters, signs and notice boards on or around stairs to minimise distractions
• avoiding patterned carpets that may visually hide differences in depths or distract a person from
seeing the nosing
• using matte finishes on the treads to minimise glare.

4. WORK ACTIVITY
Work activity should allow workers to have a free hand to grab a handrail to
break a fall. They should also be able to see their immediate travel path.
• Avoid carrying objects that require both hands
• Use alternate route/s (e.g. lifts or an alternate path)
• Avoid carrying items that block the view of walking path
Use lift at nearest location
• Do not use devices or read while walking. if carrying loads

5. HOUSEKEEPING
Regularly inspect, clean, maintain and repair stairs and handrails to keep them in good condition.
• Clean-up spills, wet spots or any debris as soon as possible
• Fix any loose or protruding part of the surface of stairs and handrails
• Do not store items on stairs
• Maintain the tread surface and nosing with slip-resistant surfacing
• Maintain/use contrast on nosing
• Fix faulty lighting
• Implement a responsive hazard reporting and maintenance program.

2 Based on Australian Standards 1657 (2018) Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation

3 SAFEWORK NSW
SAFE DESIGN AND USE OF STAIRS Slips, trips and falls

MORE INFORMATION
Managing the work environment and facilities Code of Practice 2011.
AS1657 (2018) Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation.
AS 1428: 2010 Design for access and mobility.
AS/NZS 1680.1 Interior and workplace lighting.
AS 4586: 2013 Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials.
AS 4663: 2013 Slip resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces.
HB 197: 1999 An introductory guide to the slip resistance of pedestrian surface materials.
HB 198: 2014 Guide to the specification and testing of slip resistance of pedestrian surface.
National Construction Code 2019.

This material has been adapted from Safe design and use of stairs from Workplace Health and Safety
Queensland. For more information please visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au

Catalogue No. SW09335


© Copyright SafeWork NSW 0620 Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow, NSW 2252 | Customer Experience 13 10 50
SafeWork NSW, 92–100 Donnison Street, Gosford, NSW 2250 Website www.safework.nsw.gov.au

4 SAFEWORK NSW

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