sponsoredSafe working practices  Safety on stairways in industry – key considerations

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The safety of industrial stairways is crucial for health and safety at work. Find out now which aspects you need to consider.

When it comes to industrial stairways and platforms, there is a very wide range of technical standards to take into account. Having a sound knowledge of these standards means you are well prepared for the day-to-day hazards associated with using stairways in industrial environments. In this article, we look at all the various aspects of stairway safety. Considerations such as anti-slip protection, stairway lighting and the loads involved all play a key role.

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Which technical standards apply to the overlap and step width on industrial stairways?

“Overlap” is the amount by which the front edge of a step protrudes over the tread surface of the step below. According to the relevant technical standard, the overlap of a step on an industrial stairway must be 10 mm or more. The rise must always be consistent within a flight of stairs, too. If that is not possible, the rise of the starting level and starting step can be reduced, but by no more than 15 percent. The rise of a step can only be increased under exceptional circumstances, when the stairway leads to a moving machine, for instance.

That brings us to step width. The technical standard for industrial stairways requires that auxiliary stairways leading to working or maintenance platforms must be at least 800 mm wide. If a stairway is only used occasionally, a width of 600 mm is also permissible. In exceptional cases, and providing a risk evaluation has been carried out, it is permissible to reduce the width of a stairway to 500 mm. If a stairway needs to be suitable for use by several people at once, it must be at least 1000 mm wide.

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How does anti-slip material improve the safety of industrial stairways?

If a climb aid with a pitch exceeding 45° needs to be installed, this can take the form of a stepladder. However, stepladders should only be for occasional use by trained personnel. The pitch of stepladders should not exceed 60°. The steps on a stepladder must be at least 80 mm deep, while the height of a single step must not exceed 250 mm. The guideline overlap is ≥ 10 mm. There should be a usable clearance of between 500 and 800 mm between the guardrails, which must be fitted on both sides. The headroom, i.e. the free space above the stairway as measured in a plumb-vertical line, must be at least 2300 mm throughout.

In areas where there is an increased risk of slipping, the treads of stairways must always have an anti-slip surface. It is therefore highly advisable always to use a material with this kind of surface, even when there is no clear risk of slipping. After all, safety must come first. When stairways are located outdoors, measures also need to be taken to guard against slipperiness caused by weather conditions.

Why are coloured markings and good lighting so important?

To use a stairway safely, you have to be able to see the steps clearly, especially the edges. Otherwise, you’re at a much greater risk of falling. That’s why it’s essential that stairways are adequately lit. A lighting level of at least 150 lux at a height of 200 mm above the step surface is recommended. Worker safety can be significantly improved by making the risers and treads on a stairway different colours or by adding a coloured highlight to the edges of the steps.

What loads do industrial stairways need to be able to support according to EN ISO 14122?

The traffic loads on the load-bearing structure of an industrial stairway vary considerably. Technical standard EN ISO 14122 takes this into consideration. At least 1.5 kN/m² needs to be allowed for one person using the stairway without carrying a load. A load of 5 kN/m² should be used to represent one person carrying a load or several people using the stairway.

When it comes to traffic loads, the steps are viewed individually. Each step with a width of less than 1200 mm must be able to accommodate a minimum load of 1.5 kN on an area of 100x100 mm. In the case of widths of 1200 mm or more, the step must accommodate the same minimum load of 1.5 kN at several points simultaneously. Based on the above-mentioned technical standard, the load-bearing structure and steps of an industrial stairway generally must not exhibit any deflection in excess of 1/300 of their span during load tests.

FAQs: Stairway safety in industry
 

What is the recommended minimum width for industrial stairways?

It is 800 mm for auxiliary stairways or, in exceptional circumstances, 600 or 500 mm (depending on use and risk evaluation).

What is the recommended level of lighting for stairways?

At least 150 lux, as measured at a point 200 mm above the surface of the step.

What is “overlap” in relation to a stairway?

It is the amount by which the front edge of a step protrudes over the step below. The relevant technical standard stipulates that it should be at least 10 mm.

Can stepladders be used anywhere?

They should only be used where the pitch exceeds 45°, and exclusively by trained staff on an occasional basis.

What is the minimum traffic load that an industrial stairway must be able to support?

At least 1.5 kN/m² in the case of one person and up to 5 kN/m² in the case of several people or when one person is carrying a load.