OSHA Standards for Handrails

At least one handrail is required on stairways rising more than 30 inches or that have four or more risers, whichever is less, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website. OSHA established requirements pertaining to stairs and their components temporarily used during construction and those that are being permanently installed.

Height

• The height of a handrail must not exceed 37 inches or be less than 30 inches from the top surface of the handrail to the tread surface. The top edge of a stair rail system also may serve as a handrail with the height of the top edge measuring between 36 to 37 inches from the tread surface to the stair rail's upper surface. On spiral or winding stairways a handrail must be present to prevent the usage of any area where the width of the tread is less than 6 inches.

Handrail Size and Placement

• An adequate handrail provides space for the employee to grasp and acquire a handhold in order to prevent a fall. Temporary handrails must be placed a minimum distance of 3 inches between the handrail and stair rail systems, walls and other objects. Plus the surface of the handrail must be treated in a way that prevents injuries such as lacerations, punctures or the snagging of clothing. Construct the handrail's end in such a way to avoid any dangerous projections such as protruding rails beyond the stair rail system end posts.

Strength

• At any point along the top edge of a stair rail system the handrail must tolerate at least 200 pounds of weight applied within 2 inches of the top edge in either a downward or outward direction. The building owner is responsible for confirming the materials used for the handrail are capable of supporting the weight requirements of OSHA.