An article in The Environmental Health & Safety Magazine titled “Reducing Slips, Trips and Falls in Stairways” elaborates on reducing injuries from falls on stairways. Installing non slip stair treads has a very strong impact on slip and falls. There are many points to consider when evaluating the safety of non slip stair treads. The maintenance and use, riser and tread design, stairway visibility and material. The article offers these insightful tips:

Material:

• Tread surfaces and floor surfaces leading to the stairway should be slip-resistant.

Riser and tread design:

• Non slip stair treads and riser dimensions should be uniform throughout the entire stairway.
• Most building codes require risers not to vary more than 3/8 of an inch between the tallest and the shortest riser within a given flight of stairs.
• Riser heights should be 4 inches (10.2 cm) minimum and 7 inches (18.0 cm) maximum.
• Non slip stair treads should have a minimum tread depth of 11 inches (28.0 cm), exclusive of overhang.
• Stairways with more than 12 steps should have an intermediate landing. Landings should be void of any raised areas or trip hazards.

Stairway Visibility:

• Measure the illumination at the applicable floor or non slip stair tread surface. Make sure the non slip stair treads are properly illuminated, and aim the lighting so that shadows are not cast on the stairway and glare does not disrupt the vision of those approaching the stairway.

Maintenance and use:

• Many stairway accidents occur due to poor maintenance, inattention and use. Keep non slip stair treads clean and in good condition. There should be no excessive wear, missing or loose treads.I believe these guidelines can help when considering installing non slip stair treads. I also believe that factors such as lighting on the non slip stair treads are often overlooked. Small factors such as these can make a life saving difference.

Maynard, Wayne and George Brogmus. “Reducing Slips, Trips and Falls in Stairways.” EHS Today. 1 Oct. 2007

Filed under: Workplace Safety by Beth Faraci