13 Apr Construction Safety-Floor Openings

Construction Safety – Floor Openings

Floor, roof, and deck openings can result in serious or fatal falls. These hazards are preventable when openings are identified, guarded, covered, and controlled as soon as they are created.

Guard Openings Immediately

If you create an opening, protect it immediately. Before cutting or creating an opening, establish a barricade or other appropriate protection to keep unauthorized workers away from the area.

When an opening is protected by a guardrail system:

• Install a top rail approximately 42 inches high, plus or minus 3 inches.
• Install a midrail between the top rail and the walking/working surface when required.
• Top rails must be capable of withstanding at least 200 pounds of force applied outward or downward.
• Install toeboards where employees could be exposed to falling objects below the opening.
• Keep guardrails in place until another compliant means of protection is provided.

Never remove a guardrail protecting an opening unless authorized and alternate fall protection has been established.

Covering Floor, Roof, and Deck Holes

When a hole is protected with a cover rather than guardrails, the cover must be suitable for the conditions and loads to which it may be exposed.

Covers must:

• Be capable of supporting at least twice the maximum intended load of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover.
• Completely cover the opening.
• Be secured against accidental displacement by wind, equipment, or employee activity.
• Be clearly marked “HOLE” or “COVER” or otherwise identified to warn employees of the hazard.

Never use cardboard, paper, plastic sheeting, scrap material, or other materials that cannot safely support the anticipated load.

Watch for Concealed Openings

Use extra caution around protective paper, plastic sheeting, roofing materials, or other materials that could conceal an opening.

If you discover an unprotected or inadequately protected opening:

• Do not walk across or step over it.
• Warn nearby workers.
• Barricade or otherwise restrict access to the area when possible.
• Notify your supervisor immediately.
• Ensure the opening is properly guarded or covered before work continues around it.

Even relatively small or shallow openings can cause trips, falls, broken bones, and other serious injuries.

Skylights and Roof Openings

Never assume a skylight or smoke vent will support your weight. Unless specifically designed and rated to withstand the required loads, treat skylights and similar openings as fall hazards.

• Never stand, sit, walk, or place materials on an unprotected skylight.
• Protect skylight openings during installation.
• Use compliant guardrails, covers, screens, or other required fall protection.
• Maintain protection until the skylight or opening no longer presents a fall hazard.

Remember

If you make a hole, protect it. Never leave a floor, roof, or deck opening unattended without an appropriate cover, guardrail system, or other required fall protection.

Before beginning work, look for openings in your walking and working surfaces and immediately report missing, damaged, displaced, or inadequate protection.