OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart B – 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers. .
OSHA Standard Subpart B – 1926.501(b)(1) “Unprotected sides and edges.” Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
OSHA Standard Subpart B 1926.502(i)(3) All covers shall be secured when installed so as to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees. 1926.502(i)(4) All covers shall be color coded or they shall be marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” to provide warning of the hazard.
OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection – 1926.501(b)(14) “Wall openings.” Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system..
If there is a danger of employees or materials falling through floor, roof, or wall openings, such openings must be protected by standard railings and toeboards or covered
What You Need to Know!
To prevent accidents where employees or materials might fall through openings in floors, roofs, or walls, those openings must be protected by railings and toeboards or covered and marked. Also, if something could cause someone to trip, it should be covered.
- Wall Opening: Wall openings wider than 18 inches with a drop of over 6 feet must be protected by a top rail and midrail, or by using a PFAS (personal fall arrest system).
- Open Sided Floors, Platforms, and Runways: Any hole wider than 2 inches needs covered and marked.
- Floor Openings: Floor openings must be barricaded or covered, protected by a standard guardrail, or secured, and labeled, “FLOOR OPENING — DO NOT REMOVE”.
- Railings and Covers: A standard railing should include a top rail, intermediate (midrail) rail, toeboard, and posts. The top rail should be around 42 inches, give or take 3 inches, from the upper surface.
