WAC 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.

     You must:

     • Make sure stairways less than forty-four inches wide have:

     – At least one handrail, preferably on your right side as you go down the stairs, if both sides are enclosed.

     OR

     – At least one stair railing on the open side, if one side is open.

     OR

     – One stair railing on each side, if both sides are open.

     • Make sure stairways more than forty-four inches wide but less than eighty-eight inches wide have:

     – One handrail on each enclosed side.

     – One stair railing on each open side.

     • Make sure stairways at least eighty-eight inches wide have:

     – One handrail on each enclosed side.

     – One stair railing on each open side.

     – One intermediate stair railing located approximately midway of the width.

     • 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, and[49.17].050 . 02-16-047, § 296-800-25015, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02; 01-23-060, § 296-800-25015, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; 01-11-038, § 296-800-25015, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]