Stairway Rise

Different types of stairs have different recommendations for riser height and tread run.

When step risers are less than 4 inches, people tend to trip on the mini-step. When the riser is too tall, more than 8 inches, it takes greater effort to climb the stairs, which increases the falling or tripping hazard. A typical rule of thumb is that the rise plus the run should equal between 17 inches and 17.5 inches. Most importantly, the rise must be consistent throughout the stairway. Regulations state that the variation in riser height and tread run must not exceed a quarter of an inch.

To learn more about HAZWOPER visit our HAZWOPER 40 Hour Online Training web page.