WAC 296-800-25015:

296-800-25010 << 296-800-25015 >> 296-800-270

PDFWAC 296-800-25015

Provide handrails and stair railings.

Exemption:

Vehicle service pit stairways are exempt from the rules for stairway railing and guards, if they would prevent a vehicle from moving into a position over the pit.

Definition:	• A handrail is a single bar or pipe on brackets from a wall or partition to provide a continuous handhold for persons using a stair.
	• A stair railing is a vertical barrier attached to a stairway with an open side, to prevent falls. The top surface of the stair railing is used as a handrail.

(1) You must make sure stairways less than forty-four inches wide have:

(a) At least one handrail, preferably on your right side as you go down the stairs, if both sides are enclosed; or

(b) At least one stair railing on the open side, if one side is open; or

(2) You must make sure stairways more than forty-four inches wide but less than eighty-eight inches wide have:

(a) One handrail on each enclosed side.

(b) One stair railing on each open side.

(3) You must make sure stairways at least eighty-eight inches wide have:

(a) One handrail on each enclosed side.

(b) One stair railing on each open side.

(4) You must equip winding stairs with a handrail, offset to prevent walking on all portions of the treads, less than six inches wide.

Reference:

Railings must consist of a top rail, intermediate rail, and posts. To see all of the rules for building handrails and stairway railings, refer to WAC 296-24-75011, of the general safety and health standard.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-25015, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 02-16-047, § 296-800-25015, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02; WSR 01-23-060, § 296-800-25015, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-25015, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]