Access and Egress

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Employers must make sure workers can safely access and exit all work areas, including providing emergency exits where needed.

Summary

Employers must make sure workers can safely access and exit all work areas, including providing emergency exits where needed. Stairways, ramps, and catwalks must meet specific safety standards for strength, width, slope, surface, guardrails, and handrails to prevent falls and injuries. These requirements outline proper dimensions, non-slip surfaces, load capacity, guardrail height, and handrail construction. Special rules apply to service stairs, temporary stairs during construction, skeleton steel stairs, perforated stair treads, ramps, and certain existing underground mine stairways and catwalks. The regulations are designed to ensure safe access, safe movement between levels, and fall protection in workplaces.

Employer duties

Access to and egress from the work area

An employer must make sure employees can safely get to and from all areas where work is performed. They must also provide an emergency exit if the usual exit could become unsafe or blocked. This duty does not apply to firefighters doing structural firefighting or rescue work. [Reg. 91-191, S.113]

If an overhead door is spring-loaded or poses any other hazard by way of its mechanism, the employer must make sure it is routinely inspected, maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications, and repaired by a competent person. [Reg. 91-191, S.114]

Stairways

An employer must make sure that a stairway: [Reg. 91-191, S.115(1)]

  • Is strong enough to safely hold a 4.8 kPa load (or approximately 100.25 pounds per square foot or 489.5 kg).
  • Is sloped (pitched) between 20 degrees and 35 degrees from the horizontal.
  • Has steps (riser) the same height, between 127 mm and 200 mm.
  • Has a maximum height of 3.7 m between landings.
  • Has landings that are at least 1.12 metres long in the walking direction.
  • Has at least 2.05 metres of headroom (vertical clearance) above the steps.
  • Has steps (tread) the same width and at least 225 mm deep.
  • Has steps with a non-slip strip at least 50 mm wide, placed 25 mm from the front edge, if slipping could be a hazard.

Note that service stairways do not need to be 1.12 metres wide, sloped between 20 and 35 degrees, or have steps 225 mm deep. [Reg. 91-191, S.115(2)] An employer must make sure that a service stairway is at least 900 mm wide, sloped between 20 and 50 degrees, and that each step is the same size and at least 150 mm deep. [Reg. 91-191, S.115(3)]

Employers must make sure that stairways with four or more steps (risers): [Reg. 91-191, S.115(4)]

If the stairway is 2.24 metres wide or less, it must have:

  • A handrail and supporting structure on any open side.
  • A handrail on any enclosed side.

If the stairway is more than 2.24 metres wide, it must have:

  • A handrail and supporting structure on any open side and in the centre.
  • A handrail on any enclosed side.

The handrail and supporting structure must be built: [Reg. 91-191, S.115(5)]

  • With the top of the handrail at least 750 mm and no more than 900 mm high, measured vertically from the front edge of the stair tread (where your foot steps).
  • With the supporting structure strong enough to withstand a 100 kg force applied in any direction.
  • So the handrail runs continuously along the entire flight of stairs and across landings (no gaps), be strong enough to withstand a 100 kg force applied in any direction, and be at least 40 mm wide.
  • So that if the handrail is attached directly to a wall or partition, it must be fixed in a way that does not interrupt or obstruct the smoothness of the top and side surfaces of the handrail.
  • So that if the handrail is supported by brackets, they must be spaced no more than 2.4 metres apart, and there must be at least 40 mm of clear space between the handrail and the wall (or anything attached to the wall) so a person can fully wrap their hand around the rail.

If a stairway was installed in an underground mine before this section came into effect, the employer must make sure that the stairway: [Reg. 91-191, S.115(6)]

  • Is set at an angle of no more than 50 degrees (not too steep).
  • Has no more than 3.5 metres of vertical height between landings in each flight of stairs.
  • Has steps that are all the same size and height within each flight (each tread and riser must be uniform).
  • Has guardrails and handrails that are strong enough and are between 900 mm and 1.2 metres high, measured from the stair treads.

An employer must make sure that:

  • If a stairway has steps (treads) or landings made from a perforated material, the perforated material does not have openings larger than 11 mm. [Reg. 91-191, S.116]
  • When construction of a building or structure reaches one storey above the lowest floor level or 4.5 metres above the lowest floor level (whichever is less), that permanent or temporary stairs are installed from the lowest floor level to every floor above it. [Reg. 91-191, S.117]
  • A skeleton steel stairway (unfinished steel stair structure) with treads that are not completed during the construction stages has temporary wooden treads that cover the entire length and full width of each step and landing so that the stairs can be used safely. [Reg. 91-191, S.118]

Ramps and handrails

An employer must install a ramp instead of stairs if the stairway would be angled at less than 20 degrees from horizontal. [Reg. 91-191, S.119(2)] Employer must make sure: [Reg. 91-191, S.119(3)]

  • The ramp is not steeper than 20 degrees from horizontal.
  • If the ramp slopes more than 5 degrees, it has a non-slip surface or cleats (raised strips for traction) spaced no more than 400 mm apart.
  • If the ramp is 2.24 metres wide or less, it has a handrail and supporting structure (guard or barrier) on any open side, and a handrail on any enclosed side.
  • If the ramp is more than 2.24 metres wide, it has a handrail and supporting structure on any open side and in the centre, and a handrail on any enclosed side.

An employer must make sure that the handrails referred to above are constructed so that: [Reg. 91-191, S.119(4)]

  • The top of the handrail and its supporting structure is between 750 mm and 900 mm high, measured from the surface of the ramp.
  • The supporting structure of the handrail is strong enough to withstand a 100 kg load applied in any direction.
  • The handrail is continuous along the entire slope and any landings of the ramp (no gaps), be strong enough to withstand a 100 kg load applied in any direction and be at least 40 mm wide.
  • If the handrail is mounted directly on a wall or partition, it is fixed so that nothing sticks out or interrupts the smoothness of the top and sides of the handrail.
  • If brackets are used to support the handrail, they are spaced no more than 2.4 metres apart, and there is at least 40 mm of clear space between the handrail and the wall.

Catwalks

An employer must make sure that a catwalk that is 1.2 m or higher above the ground or floor level, has a minimum width of 500 mm, and has guardrails. [Reg. 91-191, S.120(1)]

An employer must make sure handrails for a catwalk in an underground mine have: [Reg. 91-191, S.120(4)]

  • A top rail that is not lower than 900 mm and not higher than 1.07 m above the floor level of the catwalk
  • A second rail (mid-rail) is installed halfway between the top rail and the floor, unless the space in between is closed by a screen or other suitable barrier.
  • Strength enough to support at least 90 kg of force applied in any direction.
  • A toe-board that extends from the floor of the catwalk to not less than 120 mm in height. [Reg. 91-191, S.120(5)]

Employee duties

Employees have the duty to report to the employer or supervisor the existence of any hazard of which they are aware. This duty would include any safety hazards related to safe access and egress to workspaces.

Legislation

General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act

N.B. Reg. 91-191

Part X CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND BUILDING SAFETY

Section 113 Access to and egress from work area
  • 113. (1) An employer shall provide a safe means of access to and egress from all areas where work is performed.
  • (2) An employer shall ensure that an emergency means of escape is provided from any area where the normal means of escape may be rendered dangerous or unusable.
  • (2.1) This section does not apply where a firefighter is engaged in structural fire-fighting or rescue.
  • (3) Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 96-106, s. 4]

[N.B. Reg. 96-106, s. 4; 97-121, s. 20]

Section 114 Installation of door
  • 114. (1) Where a door is installed, an employer shall ensure that the door is installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications and is working properly.
  • (2) Where a door stored above the door opening is spring-loaded or presents a hazard in some other way by its mechanism, an employer shall ensure that the door is
    • (a) inspected at regular intervals by a competent person, and
    • (b) where necessary, repaired by a competent person.
Section 115 Stairways
  • 115. (1) An employer shall ensure that a stairway
    • (a) is of sufficient strength to sustain a live load of 4.8 kPa,
    • (b) is a minimum of 1.12 m in width,
    • (c) is pitched not less than 20 degrees and not more than 35 degrees from the horizontal,
    • (d) has risers constant in height that are not less than 127 mm and not more than 200 mm,
    • (e) has a maximum height of 3.7 m between landings,
    • (f) has landings, if any, with a minimum clearance of 1.12 m measured in the direction of the run,
    • (g) has a vertical clearance of 2.05 m from the top of the tread at all points in the stairway,
    • (h) has treads constant in width and not less than 225 mm in width, and
    • (i) has a non-slip nosing or a strip of non-slip material not less than 50 mm in width and installed 25 mm from the front edge of the tread on all treads where there may be a hazard of slipping due to the material of the tread.
  • (2) Paragraphs (1)(b), (c) and (h) do not apply to a service stairway.
  • (3) An employer shall ensure that a service stairway
    • (a) is a minimum of 900 mm in width,
    • (b) is pitched not less than 20 degrees and not more than 50 degrees from the horizontal, and
    • (c) has treads constant in width and not less than 150 mm in width.
  • (4) An employer shall ensure that a stairway having four or more risers
    • (a) that are 2.24 m or less in width, has a handrail and supporting structure on any open side and a handrail on any enclosed side, and
    • (b) that are more than 2.24 m in width, has a handrail and supporting structure on any open side and in the centre and a handrail on any enclosed side.
  • (5) An employer shall ensure that a handrail and supporting structure referred to in subsection (4) is constructed so that
    • (a) the height of the handrail and supporting structure from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread is not less than 750 mm and not more than 900 mm,
    • (b) the supporting structure is capable of withstanding a load of 100 kg applied in any direction,
    • (c) the handrail is
      • (i) continuous throughout the flight of stairs and landings,
      • (ii) capable of withstanding a load of 100 kg applied in any direction, and
      • (iii) at least 40 mm wide,
    • (d) a handrail mounted directly on a wall or partition is fixed so as not to interfere with the smoothness of the top and side surfaces, and
    • (e) if brackets are used, the brackets to which a handrail is fixed are spaced not more than 2.4 m apart and have a clearance of at least 40 mm between the handrail and any wall or partition or any obstruction on the wall or partition to which the brackets are attached.
  • (6) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (5), where a stairway was installed in an underground mine before the commencement of this section, an employer shall ensure that the stairway
    • (a) is installed at an angle not greater than 50 degrees,
    • (b) has a rise or vertical distance between landings of a flight that does not exceed 3.5 m,
    • (c) has treads and risers of uniform width and height in any one flight, and
    • (d) has guardrails and handrails of adequate strength that are not less than 900 mm and not more than 1.2 m in height above the treads of the stairs.
Section 116

116. Where a stairway has treads or landings made of perforated material, an employer shall ensure that the perforated material does not have openings larger than 11 mm.

Section 117
  • 117. (1) Where work on a building or structure progresses to one storey or 4.5 m above the lowest floor level, whichever is the lower, an employer shall ensure that permanent stairs or temporary stairs are installed in the building or structure leading from the lowest floor level to all the floors above.
  • (2) An employer may use guardrails for temporary stairs and landings in place of the handrails and supporting structures required under subsections 115(4) and (5).
Section 118

118. An employer shall ensure that a skeleton steel stairway with treads that are not completed during the construction stages has temporary wooden treads set into the full length and width of the steps and landings.

Section 119 Ramps
  • 119. (1) Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 96-106, s. 5]
  • (2) Where the pitch of a stairway would be less than 20 degrees from the horizontal, an employer shall provide a ramp.
  • (3) An employer shall ensure that a ramp
    • (a) has a maximum slope of 20 degrees from the horizontal,
    • (b) is equipped with a non-slip surface or cleats spaced 400 mm apart where the slope is greater than five degrees,
    • (c) that is 2.24 m or less in width, has a handrail and supporting structure on any side and a handrail on any enclosed side, and
    • (d) that is more than 2.24 m in width, has a handrail and supporting structure on any open side and in the centre and a handrail on any enclosed side.
  • (4) An employer shall ensure that a handrail and supporting structure referred to in subsection (3) are constructed so that
    • (a) the height of the handrail and supporting structure from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the ramp is not less than 750 mm and not more than 900 mm,
    • (b) the supporting structure is capable of withstanding a load of 100 kg applied in any direction,
    • (c) the handrail is
      • (i) continuous throughout the slope and landings of the ramp,
      • (ii) capable of withstanding a load of 100 kg applied in any direction, and
      • (iii) at least 40 mm wide,
    • (d) a handrail mounted directly to the wall or partition is fixed so as not to interfere with the smoothness of the top and side surfaces, and
    • (e) if brackets are used, the brackets to which a handrail is fixed are spaced not more than 2.4 m apart, and have a clearance of at least 40 mm between the handrail and any wall or partition or any obstruction on the wall or partition to which the brackets are attached.
Section 120 Catwalks
  • 120. (1) An employer shall ensure that a catwalk that is 1.2 m or more above the ground or floor level has a minimum clear width of 500 mm and is equipped with guardrails.
  • (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where a catwalk was constructed before the commencement of this section, an employer shall ensure that the catwalk has a minimum clear width of 450 mm and is equipped with guardrails.
  • (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), where a catwalk in an underground mine was constructed before the commencement of this section and is more than 1.5 m above the ground or floor level, an employer shall ensure that the catwalk is provided with handrails and a toeboard in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).
  • (4) The top rail of a handrail for a catwalk referred to in subsection (3) shall be not less than 900 mm and not more than 1.07 m above the floor level of the catwalk and a second rail shall be placed at the midpoint between the top rail and the floor level of the catwalk, unless the intervening space is closed by a screen or other suitable means and the handrail shall be capable of withstanding a load applied to the rail of at least 90 kg applied in any direction.
  • (5) A toeboard for a catwalk referred to in subsection (3) shall extend from the floor of the catwalk to not less than 120 mm in height.
  • (6) Sections (1) and (2) do not apply to a catwalk in an underground mine that was constructed before the commencement of this section and that is not more than 1.5 m above the ground or floor level.

[N.B. Reg. 2001-33, s. 37]