What safety features should be provided on stairways and elevated platforms?

Handrails or guardrails and toe boards are crucial safety features for stairways and elevated platforms for several reasons. Handrails or guardrails provide essential support for individuals using the stairs or navigating elevated areas, helping to prevent falls. They offer a physical barrier that can effectively reduce the risk of a person losing their balance and falling over the edge.

Toe boards serve an important safety function by preventing tools, materials, or equipment from falling off the edge of platforms or stairways, which could lead to injuries for those below. This combination of railings and toe boards creates a safer work environment by addressing both the protection of individuals using the stairways and the prevention of hazards from falling objects. Their presence is often mandated by safety regulations, highlighting their importance in maintaining workplace safety.

While other options may include valuable safety features in different contexts, they do not specifically address the immediate physical barriers and supports needed for stairways and elevated platforms as effectively as handrails and toe boards.