29 CFR 1926.1052: Stairways
The official text is on the eCFR. Below: how the section is organized, the paragraphs our CHST questions are built on, and free questions to try.
Quoted from the eCFR, current as of 2026-10-14; last amended 2016-09-01.
How 29 CFR 1926.1052 is organized
- (a) General8 paragraphs
- (b) Temporary service4 paragraphs
- (c) Stairrails and handrails22 paragraphs
Paragraphs our practice questions cite most
Counted across the 5 live PassCited questions on this section: our bank, not the real exam.
“(4) Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, a platform shall be provided, and the swing of the door shall not reduce the effective width of the platform to less than 20 inches (51 cm).”
“(1) Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on stairways with pan stairs where the treads and/or landings are to be filled in with concrete or other material at a later date, unless the stairs are temporarily fitted with wood or other solid material at least to the top edge of each pan. Such temporary treads and landings shall be replaced when worn below the level of the top edge of the pan.”
“(10) The ends of stairrail systems and handrails shall be constructed so as not to constitute a projection hazard.”
“(11) Handrails that will not be a permanent part of the structure being built shall have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stairrail systems, and other objects.”
“(2) Winding and spiral stairways shall be equipped with a handrail offset sufficiently to prevent walking on those portions of the stairways where the tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm).”
Free practice questions on 29 CFR 1926.1052
Question 1
During a walkthrough of a multistory building under construction, a safety technician inspects a temporary wall-mounted handrail on a stairway. The handrail will be removed before the building is turned over. Its height is within the allowed range, and its ends and surface are smooth. The technician measures only 2 inches of space between the handrail and the wall, so a worker's hand could be pinched or trapped. What should the technician require?
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Answer: D. Increase the clearance between the handrail and the wall to at least 3 inches
OSHA's construction stairway rule, 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(11), requires handrails that will not be a permanent part of the structure to have at least 3 inches of clearance from walls, stairrail systems, and other objects. The 2-inch gap must be increased. Accepting the rail reverses the rule, which applies specifically to non-permanent handrails. Raising the rail or adding balusters does not fix the clearance.
Answer D rests on
29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(11)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Handrails that will not be a permanent part of the structure being built shall have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stairrail systems, and other objects.”
Question 2
A contractor builds a temporary stairway with a door that opens directly onto the stairs. A platform is in front of the door and is 34 inches wide. A safety technician opens the door fully and measures only 18 inches of clear platform width left beside the open door. What should the technician conclude?
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Answer: B. The platform is not compliant, because the door swing leaves less than 20 inches of effective width
OSHA's stairway standard requires a platform where a door opens onto stairs, and the door swing must not reduce its effective width below 20 inches. Here it drops to 18 inches. Having a platform, measuring the platform without the door, or keeping the door closed does not meet the effective-width requirement.
Answer B rests on
29 CFR 1926.1052(a)(4)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, a platform shall be provided, and the swing of the door shall not reduce the effective width of the platform to less than 20 inches (51 cm).”
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A study aid, not legal advice or an official interpretation. Always check the current eCFR text.