scope:

This standard sets forth safety requirements for protecting persons in areadplaces where danger exists of persons or objects falling through floor or wall openings, or from platforms, runways, ramps, and fixed stairs, in normal, temporary, and emergency conditions.

This standard applies to industrial and workplace situations and is not intended to apply to construction, residential, or commercial occupancies except where necessary maintenance or work station access may be required.

Excluded from this standard are moving stairs /ramps, stairs used for private residences, floating roof tanks or dock facilities, and floor openings occupied by elevators, manlifts, dumbwaiters, conveyors, machinery, containers; the loading and unloading areas of truck, railroad, and marine docks; self-propelled, motorized mobile equipment; and platforms, scaffolds, pits, and trenches for the purpose of providing work access to a product or facility.

Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to establish and provide for minimum safety requirements for working and walking areas, including non-residential fixed stairs, to result in reasonable safety for life and limb of persons pursuing their foreseeable duties.