Industrial Stairs Design: Three Central Tips for Promoting Personal Safety

28 September 2020
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog

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If you are planning on installing industrial stairs in your space, you must prioritise the safety of the users in design selection. In simple terms, it is important to choose the right configuration of the steps whether you are ordering from a specialist manufacturer or building custom staircases in-house. This consideration will minimise the risk of slips and falls in the workplace. Also, you should note that if these features are not designed well, they could disrupt movement and, subsequently, compromise productivity. Here are some core guidelines to keep in mind to promote personal safety when planning for industrial staircase design.

Consider Specifications

You should think about the technical specifications of the industrial stairs before making your order or commissioning construction. These details will influence the safety of the users. In general, optimal choices can be determined by checking the established building standards for staircases. However, you can also make choices on the specifications which best match your work environment. Consequently, both the safety and efficiency of the stairs will be exceptional.

There are numerous specifications that you should consider in the staircase design. For instance, the riser and tread of the steps are critical because they influence the ability to walk up or down the stairs continuously. You must ensure that the height of each step is not too high, and the tread should not be too wide or narrow. It should just be enough to accommodate the user's foot. Other critical aspects include staircase width, slope and length of the staircase.

Plan for Slippage

It is advisable to plan for protection against slippage. This is important for industrial stairs because the work environment might be a bit messy even with a good housekeeping program. For instance, there might be an accumulation of debris or the presence of spilt fluids on the steps. These could make the surfaces slippery. As a result, a person walking fast might fall and sustain injuries. Therefore, you should speak to your staircase specialist about your slip-resistant options. For instance, it is possible to have the treads of the steps made rough with small bumps for traction.

Think About Rails

The right guardrails will provide a protective barrier for the staircase users. Therefore, you should ensure that there are suitable rails to prevent falling or dropping items over the edge. Handrails should also be installed on the two sides of the staircase. These, unlike guardrails, are designed to promote balance and give leverage when going up the steps. When installing, ensure that the height is optimal for comfortable holding.