Securement of Basement Stairs
| Purpose |
Preventing Worker injuries resulting from braced basement stair collapse when stairs are not adequately secured. |
| Definition |
Brace: 2×4 or 2×6 stud can be used as brace material to secure stairs in a suspended state.
Stringer: The structural component of the staircase, to which the treads and risers are affixed.
Tread: The horizontal component of the staircase which is stepped on.
Landing: The flat flooring at the top and bottom of the staircase that serves as a resting place. Can also be part of the staircase where it makes a turn.
Nosing: The front of the tread which protrudes beyond the riser. |
| Hazards
This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.
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Physical:
- Fall from Heights
- Unintentional Nail Discharge/Misfire
- Pinch Points
- Flying debris
- Electric shock
- Slips/Trips
- Defective Tools (Nail Gun)
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| Controls |
Administrative:
- Hazard Assessment
- Manufacturers’ Specifications
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Basic PPE: Safety Footwear
- Task Specific PPE: Safety Glasses, Gloves
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| Work Site Supervisory Responsibility |
Do
- Ensure Workers are orientated to the site and are competent to complete the work.
- Ensure a hazard assessment has been completed prior to starting work.
- Include brace inspection in Inspections and frame checks.
- Ensure an adequate number of nails and appropriate method of securement is used, according to this document
Do not
- Remove stair brace until basement concrete work is complete.
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| Worker Responsibility |
Do
- Two (2) 2×4 or 2×6 studs should be used as bracing material, to be installed on each side of the staircase.
- Measure the height of the studs against the stairs to ensure proper fit.
- Studs should be secured using 3 ¼” hand spikes or 3 ¼” nail gun nails.
- A combination of nails and screws can be used, but nails are preferred for their shear strength.
- Studs should be installed to the interior of the stair stringers, tight against the tread of the stairs.
- Four (4) nails should be used per brace, installed evenly spaced through the brace into the interior stringer.
- The stairs must be suspended in a minimum of 9” height above the footing to allow space for concrete work.
- The top of the brace must be secured using an approved method, based on the material of the perimeter the brace is secured to.
- Securing the LVL beam: install four (4) nails evenly spaced through the brace into the LVL beam.
- Securing the floor joist: secure the brace to the top and bottom cords of the joist using three (3) nails evenly spaced for each cord.
- Securing basement wall/pony wall: secure two (2) points of contact into the wall, using three (3) nails evenly spaced for each point of contact.
- The top of the stair must be secured through the top riser, below the nosing of the top landing.
- Minimum eight (8) screws evenly spaced.
- If using additional nails, use only hand nails (nails placed with a nail gun might break through the plywood.)
- The handrail must be secured to the interior, extending the full length of the basement steps.
- Ensure to cut the handrail at the end of the stairs.
- See the visual description below for examples of correct stair suspension.
Do not
- Reinstall an unsecured brace stud with the same nails. Remove nails and resecure the brace stud with a new set of nails.
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