Does Your Step Stool Meet OSHA Regulations ANSI Standards?

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.