Steps and Stairs at work

There is nothing in OHS/WHS legislation that specifically addresses steps and stairs in the workplace. However, both employers and individuals in control of a workplace have a legal duty, under their general duty of care, to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

The specific regulations pertaining to the construction of stairways, platforms, landings, and similar structures are found elsewhere and are typically known to builders and architects. Steps and stairs must adhere to the National Construction Code (NCC), which has been designated as a building regulation by the states and territories of Australia.

It is worth noting that the NCC 2015 was adopted by the States and Territories on May 1, 2015. The NCC undergoes regular updates and amendments, with the current edition being NCC 2022.

The latest edition is now available on the NCC website. As the information on this page is intended for health and safety representatives (HSRs) and workers, employers and builders should seek specific guidance from qualified architects or other professionals with suitable expertise.

A list of amendments incorporated in NCC 2022 is also available to help determine if a technical change has occurred in NCC 2022 that would potentially cause the 2019 Guide commentary to be outdated.

Page Overview

• Stairways
• Guardrails and handrails
• Slips, trips and falls
• More information on steps and stairs

Stairways in the workplace

The following is taken from the NCC Volume one - commercial buildings and is for information only - please check the NCC for more information.

 11.2.2 Stairway construction

-A stairway must be designed to take loading forces in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.1 and must have -

1. not more than 18 and not less than 2 risers in each flight; and
2. goings (G), risers (R) and a slope relationship quantity (2R + G) in accordance with Table 11.2.2a, except as permitted by (2) and (3); and
3. constant goings and risers throughout each flight, except as permitted by (3) and (4), and the dimensions of goings (G) and risers (R) in accordance with (1), (2) and (3) are considered constant if the variation between—
   • adjacent risers, or between adjacent goings, is not more than 5 mm; and
   • the largest and smallest riser within a flight, or the largest and smallest going within a flight, is not more than 10 mm; and
4. risers which do not have any openings that would allow a 125 mm sphere to pass through between the treads; and
5. treads of solid construction (not mesh or other perforated material) if the stairway is more than 10 m high or connects more than 3 storeys

-In the case of a stairway serving only non-habitable rooms, such as attics, storerooms and the like that are not used on a regular or daily basis—

1. the going (G), riser (R) and slope relationship quantity (2R + G) in accordance with Table 11.2.2a may be substituted with those in Table 11.2.2b; and
2. need not comply with (1)(d).

-In the case of a stairway with winders—

1. a maximum of 3 consecutive winders in lieu of a quarter landing in a flight and a maximum of 6 consecutive winders in lieu of a half landing in a flight; and
2. the going (G) of all winders in lieu of a quarter or half landing may vary from the going of the straight treads within the same flight provided that the going (G) of such winders is constant.

-The point of measurement of the going (G) in the slope relationship quantity (2R + G) for tapered treads and treads in spiral stairways as described in Table 11.2.2a (see Figure 11.2.2a, Figure 11.2.2b and Figure 11.2.2c) must be—

1. for tapered treads, other than treads in a spiral stairway—
   1. not more than 1 m in width, the middle of the unobstructed width of the stairway (see Figure 11.2.2b); and
   2. more than 1 m in width, 400 mm from the unobstructed width of each side of the stairway (see Figure 11.2.2c); and
2. for treads in spiral stairways, the point seven tenths of the unobstructed width from the face of the centre pole or support towards the handrail side (see Figure 11.2.2d and Figure 11.2.2e).

-Riser and going dimensions must be measured in accordance with Figure 11.2.2f

In addition, the Australian Standard has been updated to be consistent with the NCC: AS 1657- 2013: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders

NOTE: builders must check that any stairs to be constructed comply with the NCC and also ensure they are using the latest edition of the Australian Standard

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