Shure-Steps are load rated for 500 pounds, all but two models have 6 large rubber pads on the bottom to keep them from sliding on slick or wet floors. The Shure-Steps also have non-slip top surface to prevent shoes from slipping. A few of the companies that have tested and use Shure-Step products are: Boeing, United Airlines, Ford, Chrysler, Greyhound Bus, US Airways, Winn-Dixie Grocery Stores, Piggly Wiggly Grocery Stores. According to OSHA, there are no requirements for general purpose step stools under the height of 24 inches. Any step stools that are 24 inches or higher are required to have a handrail. The OSHA regulations for step stools are woven within the “Stairways & Ladders” Regulation 1926.1053 which is much too lengthy to print here.
We have reprinted the ANSI Standard for step stools below.
ANSI ASC A14.5-2007 American National Standards for Ladders – Portable Reinforced Plastic – Safety Requirements
This standard prescribes rules governing the safe construction, design, testing, care and use of portable reinforced plastic ladders of various Types and styles. Ladder Types included are:
Duty Rating Ladder Type Working Load (pounds)
Special Duty IAA 375
Extra Heavy-Duty IA 300
Heavy-Duty I 250
Medium-Duty II 225
Light-Duty III 200
Ladder styles include ladder type step stools, portable extension, step, trestle, sectional, combination, single, platform, and articulating ladders, but excluding ladders in and on mines, the fire services, mobile equipment, hoisting equipment, work platforms, antenna communications towers, transmission towers, utility poles, and chimneys. It does not cover special-purpose ladders that do not meet the general requirements of this standard, nor does it cover ladder accessories, including, but not limited to, ladder levelers, ladder stabilizers or stand-off devices, ladder jacks, or ladder straps or hooks, that may be installed on or used in conjunction with ladders.
Note: Ladder type step stools are covered by A14.5. It is recognized that a step stool standard is under development. When the step stool standard is approved, A14.5 will no longer cover ladder type step stools.These requirements are also intended to prescribe rules and criteria for labeling/marking of the kinds of portable ladders cited in this standard, but exclusive of furniture type step stools and special purpose ladders. These labeling/marking requirements do not apply to those situations where training, supervision, or documented safety procedures would be in conflict, or serve in lieu of, these labeling/marking requirements.
Based on OSHA 1026.1053 a step stool is up to 32″. Where is the 24″ dimension for stepstool regulation and handrail derived from?
Candace, At the NSC Expo I asked the staff in the OSHA booth what regulations there were for general purpose step stools. When they looked at that classification (not sure which) the only regulation was that a handrail is required for any step stool 24 inches high or higher.
Do step stools in the work place need to have a weight limit on them ?
Mike,
Some companies require step stools to have the weight limit on a prmanent label, but it is not mandatory.
Mike, The load rating is not “required” by OSHA, however, the load rating is required by most government contractors and large safety conscious companies.
Daniel, At the National Safety Conference I asked the staff in the OSHA booth what regulations there were for “general purpose” step stools. When they looked at that classification (not sure which one) the only regulation they found was that a handrail is required for any step stool 24 inches high or higher.