what is the walway clearance for office safety

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.651(i)(1) (cont.) Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection shall be provided by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) from the edge of excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary. ## 1926.651(k) Inspections. 1926.651(k)(1) Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems shall be made by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated. ## 1926.651(k)(2) Where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave- in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees shall be removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety. ## 1926.651(I). Walkways shall be provided where employees or equipment are required or permitted to cross over excavations. Guardrails which comply with $1926.502(b) shall be provided where walkways are 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels. [54 FR [redacted postal code], Oct. 31, 1989, as amended at 59 FR [redacted postal code], Aug. 9, 1994] OSHA Standards Enforcement Topics Media Center Contact Us Scroll to Top + Submit Feedback

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# Figure D-5 -- Fixed Ladder Clearances (cont.) Mobile ladder stands and platforms have a step width of at least 16 inches (41 cm); 1910.23(e)(1)(ii) The steps and platforms of mobile ladder stands and platforms are slip resistant. Slip-resistant surfaces must be either an integral part of the design and construction of the mobile ladder stand and platform, or provided as a secondary process or operation, such as dimpling, knurling, shotblasting, coating, spraying, or applying durable slip-resistant tapes; - 1910.23(e)(1)(iii) Mobile ladder stands and platforms are capable of supporting at least four times their maximum intended load; - 1910.23(e)(1)(iv) - Wheels or casters under load are capable of supporting their proportional share of four times the maximum intended load, plus their proportional share of the unit's weight; - 1910.23(e)(1)(v) - Unless otherwise specified in this section, mobile ladder stands and platforms with a top step height of 4 feet (1.2 m) or above have handrails with a vertical height of 29.5 inches (75 cm) to 37 inches (94 cm), measured from the front edge of a step. Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used instead of handrails in special-use applications; - 1910.23(e)(1)(vi) The maximum work-surface height of mobile ladder stands and platforms does not exceed four times the shortest base dimension, without additional support. For greater heights, outriggers, counterweights, or comparable means that stabilize the mobile ladder stands and platforms and prevent overturning must be used; - 1910.23(e)(1)(vii) Mobile ladder stands and platforms that have wheels or casters are equipped with a system to impede horizontal movement when an employee is on the stand or platform; and - 1910.23(e)(1)(viii) No mobile ladder stand or platform moves when an employee is on it. 1910.23(e)(2) Design requirements for mobile ladder stands. The employer must ensure: Submit Feedback

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.501(b)(3) (cont.) Holes. ## 1926.501(b)(4).(i). Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes. ## 1926.501(b)(4)(ii). Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers. ## 1926.501(b)(4)(iii). Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from objects falling through holes (including skylights) by covers. ## 1926.501(b)(5) Formwork and reinforcing steel. Each employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, or positioning device systems. 1926.501(b)(6) Ramps, runways, and other walkways. Each employee on ramps, runways, and other walkways shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by guardrail systems. ## 1926.501(b)(7) Excavations. 1926.501(b)(7)(i). Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barrier; ## 1926.501(b)(7)(ii). Each employee at the edge of a well, pit, shaft, and similar excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in Submit Feedback

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.1053(a)(4)(i). (cont.) ladders shall be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders. (The requirements to have guardrail systems with toeboards for falling object and overhead protection on platforms and landings are set forth in subpart M of this part.) - 1926.1053(a)(11) Ladder components shall be surfaced so as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing. - 1926.1053(a)(12) Wood ladders shall not be coated with any opaque covering, except for identification or warning labels which may be placed on one face only of a side rail. - 1926.1053(a)(13) The minimum perpendicular clearance between fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps, and any obstruction behind the ladder shall be 7 inches (18 cm), except in the case of an elevator pit ladder, for which a minimum perpendicular clearance of 4½ inches (11 cm) is required. - 1926.1053(a)(14) The minimum perpendicular clearance between the center line of fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps, and any obstruction on the climbing side of the ladder shall be 30 inches (76 cm), except as provided in paragraph (a)(15) of this section. - 1926.1053(a)(15) When unavoidable obstructions are encountered, the minimum perpendicular clearance between the centerline of fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps, and the obstruction on the climbing side of the ladder may be reduced to 24 inches (61 cm), provided that a deflection device is installed to guide employees around the obstruction. - 1926.1053(a)(16) Through fixed ladders at their point of access/egress shall have a step-across distance of not less than 7 inches (18 cm) nor more than 12 inches (30 cm) as measured from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest edge of the landing area. If the normal step-across distance exceeds 12 inches (30 cm), a landing platform shall be provided to reduce the distance to the specified limit. - 19…

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# Figure D-13 - Combination Handrail and Stair Rail. (cont.) stop employee falls; - 1910.29(i)(4) - Mountings for flexible carriers are attached at each end of the carrier and cable guides for flexible carriers are installed at least 25 feet (7.6 m) apart but not more than 40 feet (12.2 m) apart along the entire length of the carrier; - 1910.29(i)(5) - The design and installation of mountings and cable guides does not reduce the design strength of the ladder; and - 1910.29(i)(6) - Ladder safety systems and their support systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a drop test consisting of an 18-inch (41-cm) drop of a 500-pound (227-kg) weight. - 1910.29(j) - Personal fall protection systems. Body belts, harnesses, and other components used in personal fall arrest systems, work positioning systems, and travel restraint systems must meet the requirements of $ 1910.140. - 1910.29(k) - Protection from falling objects. - 1910.29(k)(1) - The employers must ensure toeboards used for falling object protection: - 1910.29(k)(1)(i) Are erected along the exposed edge of the overhead walking-working surface for a length that is sufficient to protect employees below. - 1910.29(k)(1)(ii) Have a minimum vertical height of 3.5 inches (9 cm) as measured from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking-working surface. - 1910.29(k)(1)(iii) Do not have more than a 0.25-inch (0.5-cm) clearance or opening above the walking-working surface. 1910.29(k)(1)(iv) Submit Feedback

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1910 - Part Number - Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Subpart: 1910 Subpart D - Subpart Title: Walking-Working Surfaces - Standard - Number: - Title: - 1910.25 - Stairways. - GPO Source: e-CFR ## 1910.25(a) Application. This section covers all stairways (including standard, spiral, ship, and alternating tread-type stairs), except for articulated stairs (stairs that change pitch due to change in height at the point of attachment) such as those serving floating roof tanks, stairs on scaffolds, stairs designed into machines or equipment, and stairs on self-propelled motorized equipment. 1910.25(b) General requirements. The employer must ensure: 1910.25(b)(1) Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with $ 1910.28; - 1910.25(b)(2) Vertical clearance above any stair tread to any overhead obstruction is at least 6 feet, 8 inches (203 cm), as measured from the leading edge of the tread. Spiral stairs must meet the vertical clearance requirements in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. - 1910.25(b)(3) Stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings; Submit Feedback

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.501(b)(13). (cont.) with $ 1926.502(k) for a particular workplace situation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems. ## 1926.501(b)(14) Wall openings. Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system. ## 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed. Except as provided in $ 1926.500(a)(2) or in $ 1926.501 (b)(1) through (b)(14), each employee on a walking/working surface 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system. - 1926.501(c) Protection from falling objects. When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer shall have each employee wear a hard hat and shall implement one of the following measures: Submit Feedback - 1926.501(c)(1) Erect toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling from higher levels; or, - 1926.501(c)(2) Erect a canopy structure and keep potential fall objects far enough from the edge of the higher level so that those objects would not go over the edge if they were accidentally displaced; or, - 1926.501(c)(3) Barricade the area to which objects could fall, prohibit employees from entering the barricaded area, and keep objects that may fall far enough away from the edge of a higher level so that those objects would not go over the edge if they were accidentally displaced. [59 FR [redacted postal code], Aug. 9, 1994; 60 FR 5131, Jan. 26, 1995]

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) - 1910.265(c)(5) - Stairways- - 1910.265(c)(5)(i) Construction. Stairways shall be constructed in accordance with subpart D of this part. - 1910.265(c)(5)(ii) Handrails. Stairways shall be provided with a standard handrail on at least one side or on any open side. Where stairs are more than four feet wide there shall be a standard handrail at each side, and where more than eight feet wide, a third standard handrail shall be erected in the center of the stairway. - 1910.265(c)(5)(iii) Lighting. All stairways shall be adequately lighted as prescribed in paragraph (c)(9) of this section. - 1910.265(c)(6) - Emergency exits including doors and fire escapes- - 1910.265(c)(6)(i) Opening. Doors shall not open directly on or block a flight of stairs, and shall swing in the direction of exit travel. - 1910.265(c)(6)(ii) Identification. Exits shall be located and identified in a manner that affords ready exit from all work areas. - 1910.265(c)(6)(iii) Swinging doors. All swinging doors shall be provided with windows; with one window for each section of double swinging doors. Such windows shall be of shatterproof or safety glass unless otherwise protected against breakage. - 1910.265(c)(6)(iv) Sliding doors. Where sliding doors are used as exits, an inner door shall be cut inside each of the main doors and arranged to open outward. - 1910.265(c)(6)(v) Barriers and warning signs. Where a doorway opens upon a railroad track or upon a tramway or dock over which vehicles travel, a barrier or other warning device shall be placed to prevent Submit Feedback

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear to provide for the free and safe movement of material handling equipment or employees. Such areas shall be kept in good repair. 1926.250(a)(4) When a difference in road or working levels exist, means such as ramps, blocking, or grading shall be used to ensure the safe movement of vehicles between the two levels. ## 1926.250(b) Material storage. ## 1926.250(b)(1) Material stored inside buildings under construction shall not be placed within 6 feet of any hoistway or inside floor openings, nor within 10 feet of an exterior wall which does not extend above the top of the material stored. - 1926.250(b)(2) Each employee required to work on stored material in silos, hoppers, tanks, and similar storage areas shall be equipped with personal fall arrest equipment meeting the requirements of subpart M of this part. - 1926.250(b)(3) Noncompatible materials shall be segregated in storage. - 1926.250(b)(4) Bagged materials shall be stacked by stepping back the layers and cross-keying the bags at least every 10 bags high. - 1926.250(b)(5) Materials shall not be stored on scaffolds or runways in excess of supplies needed for immediate operations. - 1926.250(b)(6). Brick stacks shall not be more than 7 feet in height. When a loose brick stack reaches a height of 4 feet, it shall be tapered back 2 inches in every foot of height above the 4-foot level. - 1926.250(b)(7) When masonry blocks are stacked higher than 6 feet, the stack shall be tapered back one-half block per tier above the 6-foot level. 1926.250(b)(8) Submit Feedback

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.451(b)(1)(ii) (cont.) Exception to paragraph (b)(1): The requirement in paragraph (b)(1) to provide full planking or decking does not apply to platforms used solely as walkways or solely by employees performing scaffold erection or dismantling. In these situations, only the planking that the employer establishes is necessary to provide safe working conditions is required. ## 1926.451(b)(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section, each scaffold platform and walkway shall be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide. ## 1926.451(b)(2).(i). Each ladder jack scaffold, top plate bracket scaffold, roof bracket scaffold, and pump jack scaffold shall be at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide. There is no minimum width requirement for boatswains' chairs. Note to paragraph (b)(2)(i): Pursuant to an administrative stay effective November 29, 1996 and published in the Federal Register on November 25, 1996, the requirement in paragraph (b)(2)(i) that roof bracket scaffolds be at least 12 inches wide is stayed until November 25, 1997 or until rulemaking regarding the minimum width of roof bracket scaffolds has been completed, whichever is later. ## 1926.451(b)(2)(ii). Where scaffolds must be used in areas that the employer can demonstrate are so narrow that platforms and walkways cannot be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide, such platforms and walkways shall be as wide as feasible, and employees on those platforms and walkways shall be protected from fall hazards by the use of guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems. ## 1926.451(b)(3) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3) (i) and (ii) of this section, the front edge of all platforms shall not be more than 14 inches (36 cm) from the face of the work, unless guardrail systems are erected along the front edge and/or personal fall arrest systems are used in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section to protect employees from falling. …

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# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) - 1910.265(c)(3)(iii) Floor maintenance. The flooring of buildings, docks, and passageways shall be kept in good repair. When a hazardous condition develops that cannot be immediately repaired, the area shall be guarded until adequate repairs are made. - 1910.265(c)(3)(iv) Nonslip floors. Floors, footwalks, and passageways in the work area around machines or other places where a person is required to stand or walk shall be provided with effective means to minimize slipping. - 1910.265(c)(4) - Walkways, docks, and platforms- - 1910.265(c)(4)(i) - Width. Walkways, docks, and platforms shall be of sufficient width to provide adequate passage and working areas. - 1910.265(c)(4)(ii) - Maintenance. Walkways shall be evenly floored and kept in good repair. - 1910.265(c)(4)(iii) - Docks. Docks and runways used for the operation of lift trucks and other vehicles shall have a substantial guard or shear timber except where loading and unloading are being performed. - 1910.265(c)(4)(iv) Elevated walks. All elevated walks, runways, or platforms, if 4 feet or more from the floor level, shall be provided with a standard railing except on loading or unloading sides of platforms. If height exceeds 6 feet, a standard toe board also shall be provided to prevent material from rolling or falling off. - 1910.265(c)(4)(v) - Elevated platforms. Where elevated platforms are used routinely on a daily basis, they shall be equipped with stairways or fixed ladders that comply with subpart D of this part. - 1910.265(c)(4)(vi) - Hazardous locations. Where required, walkways and stairways with standard handrails shall be provided in elevated and hazardous locations. Where such passageways are over walkways or work areas, standard toe boards shall be provided. Submit Feedback