Floor and Roof Openings
Proactive preventive safety measures:
- Safely covering an opening with a piece of plywood requires more than placing the material over the hole.
- The hole should be covered and secured with a cover large and rigid enough to prevent failure and movement.
- Holes should be marked with danger warnings.
- Every employee on the job should be warned about the hazard.
- Never leave an opening uncovered or unprotected.
- If covering a hole is impractical, guardrails shall be installed with toe boards.
- Floor or platform openings for ladders shall be guarded by standard railings and toe boards on all exposed sides, except at entrances to openings. The entrance must also be protected so that a person cannot walk directly into the opening.
NOTE: Always promote a discussion on any of the topics covered in the Tool Box Talks. Should any question arise that you cannot answer, don’t hesitate to contact your Employer.
