Section 64:

64. Safe means of access and safe place of employment (1) There shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained safe means of access to every place at which any person has at any time to work, and every such place shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for any person working there. (2) Where any person is to work at a place from which he will be liable to fall a distance more than 2 metres, then unless the place is one which affords secure foothold and, where necessary, secure handhold, means shall be provided, so far as is reasonably practicable, by fencing or otherwise, for ensuring his safety. (3) All floors, steps, stairs, passages and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained and shall be kept free from any obstruction and from any substance likely to cause persons to slip. (4) For every staircase in a building, a substantial handrail shall be provided and maintained which, if the staircase has an open side, shall be on that side, and if the staircase has 2 open sides, shall be on both sides. O2 – 45 [Issue 1] Occupational Safety and Health Act (5) Any open side of a staircase shall also be fenced by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or other effective means. (6) All openings in floors shall be effectively fenced except in so far as the nature of the work renders such fencing impracticable. (7) Every opening in a wall used for raising or lowering goods or materials whether by mechanical power or otherwise, shall be effectively fenced, and shall be provided with a secure handhold on each side of the opening and the fencing shall be properly maintained and shall, except when the raising or lowering of goods or materials is being carried on at the opening, be kept in position.