Staircases are one of the major causes of injury or fatality in New Zealand offices. To address this issue, NZ building regulations were created to prevent accidents from occurring due to unsafe staircases.

1. Staircases at the
Workplace:
Its Risks and the
Importance of New
Zealand Regulations
Ackworth House

2. Staircases are one of the major causes of injury or fatality in New Zealand offices. To
address this issue, NZ building regulations were created to prevent accidents from
occurring due to unsafe staircases.
While many staircase builders design safe products, companies that fail to follow
guidelines or comply with regulations may find injury and death risks in their work
environments.
Staircase Risks
A study from the University of Otago’s Injury Prevention Research Unit found that
workplace stairways have caused multiple trips and falls that led to injuries and fatalities
in the past. Data from the study showed that from 1984 to 1994, four out of five deaths
were caused by stumbling and tripping on staircases.
The risks indicated in the study included unmarked steps that don’t clearly show where
they end, wet floors, obstructed views, the absence of handrails (or wrong use of them),
and poor lighting.

3. According to a Stairway Safety presentation by Auburn University, gravity makes
descending staircases much more dangerous than ascending. Failure by employees to
perceive risks results in unsafe behavior that increases those risks.
Avoiding Staircase Accidents
Businesses can avoid workplace injuries and deaths by installing a well-lit staircase with
handrails, slip-resistant properties, and clear markings on the edges. Management must
also keep the stairway free from obstacles and potential hazards. Wet floors must be
cleaned before allowing any employee to pass through. Businesses must opt for staircases
with safety measures in place, such as non-slip strips on the end of every stair.
Employees’ Lookout
Employees must also practice caution when going up or down staircases. They must not
multitask or get distracted and must stay away from wet steps and puddles. Being
negligent in going up and down the stairs may cause them to miss a stepand fall. They
must also avoid carrying heavy loads that prevent them from seeing where they are
going.

4. Stairways are a perfect component in building and corridor designs, but safety must not
come second to aesthetics when it comes to stair installation. On their end, businesses
should opt for safe and better quality staircases to avoid potential hazards.
Sources:
https://www.ackworthhouse.co.nz/
https://cws.auburn.edu/shared/content/files/1472/STAIRWAY
https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/slips-trips-falls/
https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/building-code-compliance/d-access/d1-
access-routes/asvm/d1-access-routes-amendment-5.pdf
http://psm-dm.otago.ac.nz/ipru/ReportsPDFs/OR052.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/slips/reducing-risks-stairs.htm