Stairway slips, trips and falls are often due to a combination of design flaws, lighting, visibility and lack of attention. The seven recommendations for safer stairway design, maintenance and use are outlined below to help you reduce these accidents.
Tread grip and width
While there are no minimum width requirements for a staircase except for disability access and fire escapes, the tread width should be sufficient to allow a person to walk up and down the stairs in a completely forwards orientation. While aesthetics are vital, stair treads should also be built to provide the best possible grip. Consider the texture of the material you've chosen and whether it'll provide enough grip to prevent slipping and losing your footing.Anti-slip tape can be placed on treads to improve grip and timber, textured tile and carpet are also good possibilities. Avoid using glass, smooth metals or polished stone on outdoor steps since they will become slippery when wet.Riser height
According to studies, pedestrians only look at the first and last three steps, navigating the rest of the stairwell without looking. As a result, the top three and bottom three steps must be carefully designed.
Moving down a stairwell causes more serious upper and lower extremity injuries than travelling up a stairwell. The horizontal surface should be sufficient for the ball of the foot to land on the tread without extending over the step below in stairway descent. Otherwise, an over-step or mishap may occur, resulting in a forward fall.
Variations in riser height or vertical surface height, are frequently blamed for stairwell trips and falls. The steeper the steps are, the taller the risers on your staircase are.Tread depth
The tread is the step's horizontal surface. The distance between the front and back of the tread determines its depth. If the treads are too shallow, your foot may not be able to stand straight on the step. A fibreglass stair nosing might help to make your staircase more secure. It extends over the top of the tread, giving you more room to step on. It also protects the edges of the treads from wear and tear over time.Lighting
All stairwells must have adequate lighting to allow users to see where they are going. Keep in mind that the stairs may be in use at any time of the day.
Overhead lights, wall sconces and even lights on the stair treads are all alternatives for lighting your staircase. Another unique design element that can help you make your staircase a remarkable highlight in your home is lighting.Visibility
It is easy to misunderstand the stair edge due to inadequate visibility of both risers and treads, resulting in improper foot placement and an accident. To improve visibility, do the following:
- To make stair treads more visible for those with low vision, add visual contrast to tread nosings or the leading edges of treads without nosings.
- Use tactile indicators for the visually impaired.
- Use step lighting to emphasise each step in low-light areas.
- Place signs at waist height on both approaches to the stairwell to draw attention to it.Use handrails and stair rails
Handrails and stair rails serve distinct purposes. Stair rails, also known as stair guardrails, protect pedestrians from going down the edge of the stairs or landings. Alternatively, handrails help pedestrians maintain their balance and providing leverage when ascending and descending steps.Maintenance
Poor stairway maintenance, lack of attention and use are all factors that contribute to stairway accidents. Maintain the cleanliness and condition of the stair treads. Excessive wear, missing treads and loose treads should all be avoided.
Carpeted stairs should be in good shape with no visible signs of wear. Never store items on the staircase. On the stairs, don't hold anything in your hands and don't rush up or down.
Final thoughts
Staircases are a high-traffic area and since almost everyone in your house or workplace uses them at least once a day, it's critical to make sure yours is secure. Stair falls are one of the most prevalent injuries, especially among small children and the elderly. The ability to quickly navigate stairwells in an emergency is another incentive to invest in their safety through tactile indicators.
