Strength

• To be safe, a stairway must be designed to carry a load at least five times the weight of its normal anticipated load. According to OSHA, the stairs must be able to carry a minimum moving load of 1,000 lbs.
  
  

Dimensions

• OSHA states that any stairway must be a minimum of 22 inches wide. The stairway treads should be at least the width of the stairway and at least 30 inches in length. This width is measured in the direction of travel. There must be at least seven feet from the stair tread to any overhead obstruction.
  
  

Railings and Handrails

• OSHA requires that designers provide railings on any open side of a stairway or platform. Handrails are required on at least one side of a closed stairway. OSHA notes that ideally, the railing should be installed on the right side, as people are descending.