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STAIRWAYS A stairway is a series of steps with four or more risers. Standard risers are from between 4.6 and 7.3 inches in height. Variations in riser height should not exceed 1/4 inch in any flight or stairway system. 12.3 inches may be the ideal tread depth for the fewest mis-steps. A stairway or ladder should be provided at all worker access points where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more,and no ramp,runway,embankment or personnel hoist is provided. Except during construction of the actual stairway, skeleton metal frame structures and steps should not be used unless the stairs are fitted with secured temporary treads and landings. The actual stairway, stairways with metal pan landings and treads should not be used where the treads and/or Iandings have not been filled in with concrete or other material, unless the pans of the stairs and/or landings are temporarily filled in with wood or other material. All stairway, ladder and personal fall protection systems required by OSHA or MSHA(mining)should be in place before starting work. Stairways that will not be a permanent part of the stricture should have landings at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide at every 12 feet or less of vertical rise. Stairways should be installed at least 30 degrees, and no more than 50 degrees, Froin the horizontal. 33 degrees seems to be the ideal pitch for savings in human effort when climbing stairs. Where doors or gates open directly onto a stairway,a platform should be provided that extends at least 20 inches beyond the swing of the door or gate. Stairway or laddervay floor openings should be guarded by standard guardrails and toeboards oil ail exposed sides, except at the entrance to the opening, with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person caimot walk directly into the opening. Stairways having four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches in height, whichever is Iess, should have at least one handrail. A stair rail should be installed along each unprotected side or edge. When the top edge of a stair rail system also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge should not be more than 37 inches nor less than 36 inches from the sipper surface of the rail to tine surface of the tread. Illumination should be adequate for safety. OSHA specifies a niiiiininnn of 5 foot candles of intensity for interior stairways and landings. STAIR CLIMBING TIPS I. 'fake each step one at a time. 2. Never skip stairs or jump from one level to another. 3. Make sure that your fi-ont foot is firmly planted before shifting your weight on it. 4. Always use the handrail. 5. Never carry objects using both hands,so that the handrail can be used. 6. Keep stairways free of chatter,grease,ice,etc. 7. Reduce fatigue on long climbs by minitiiizing the load if you can,and by taking rest breaks when needed.