At what diameter must floor holes be covered?

Asked by: Regina Simpson

Every floor hole into which persons cannot accidentally walk (on account of fixed machinery, equipment, or walls) shall be protected by a cover that leaves no openings more than one (1) inch wide. The cover shall be securely held in place to prevent tools or materials from falling through.

What is the minimum dimensions of a floor hole that would require it to be protected?

29 CFR 1926.500(b), Subpart M — Fall Protection, provides: §1926.500(b) Definitions. Hole means a gap or void 2 inches (5.1 cm) or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface.

What are the 3 requirements for a hole cover?

➢ Covers for holes in floors and working surfaces must meet the following requirements: ➢ Capable of supporting at least twice the maximum load expected to cross over the cover. ➢ Shall be secured when installed to prevent displacement. ➢ Shall be marked with word “HOLE” or “COVER”.

What are two requirements for protection around floor openings?

A cover that leaves no openings more than 1 inch wide must protect every floor hole into which persons cannot accidentally walk (on account of fixed machinery, equipment or walls). The cover must be securely held in place to prevent tools or materials from falling through.

What does OSHA define as an opening?

Opening means a gap or open space in a wall, partition, vertical walking-working surface, or similar surface that is at least 30 inches (76 cm) high and at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide, through which an employee can fall to a lower level.

What size opening requires a cover?

Holes more than 6 feet deep that a person can fall into that require protection by fall arrest systems, guardrails or covers.

What material is never appropriate to use as a hole cover?

Never cover a hole with any type of non-substantial or non-weight bearing material(s) such as paper, cardboard or plastic. Regardless of the fall distance, industry standards require that employees be protected from tripping and/or stepping into holes by placing covers over them.

How much weight must a hole cover be capable of supporting if it is on an area where vehicles do not travel?

(1) Covers located in roadways and vehicular aisles shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle expected to cross over the cover.

What size holes in elevated surfaces must be covered or protected?

What size holes in elevated surfaces must be covered or protected? Any hole a personal could potentially fall through — OSHA defines it as 12 inches or larger — requires fall protection. This might include guard rails, a secure covering or some other means of protection.

What dimension must a hole be before it requires edge protection?

As stated in OSH Regulations, if any personnel or contractors are at risk of falling 2 metres or more from a flat edge such as scaffolds, stairs, landings and etc, then you will need “edge protection” in place.

What is the minimum hole size that requires a cover OSHA?

2 inches

OSHA’s construction fall protection rule, 29 CFR Subpart M §1926.500, defines these terms as follows: “Hole means a gap or void 2 inches (5.1 cm) or more in its least dimension, in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface.”

What does OSHA consider high winds?

Note to the definition of “high wind”: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration normally considers winds exceeding 64.4 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour), or 48.3 kilometers per hour (30 miles per hour) if the work involves material handling, as meeting this criteria, unless the employer takes …

What is considered a floor opening?

Floor opening: an opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard through which persons may fall; such as a hatchway, stair or ladder opening, pit or large manhole.

What are the 2 types of protection for openings in floors or walls?

There are 2 basic fall protection systems: • Passive Systems – Fall Prevention – Guardrails, safety nets, floor covers, catch platforms, etc. Active Systems – Personal Fall Protection – Safety belts and body harnesses. Passive systems, such as guardrails, are the preferred system of fall protection.

What height is fall protection?

OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations.

At what depth of a trench does OSHA require fall protection?

5 feet

Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.

How deep before you need a trench box?

5 feet

If there is anything less than 5 feet, it is up to a competent person’s discretion to determine if there is a need for a protective system. A trench with a depth of 20 feet (6.1 meters) or greater needs a protective system.

What two requirements must be met so that a trench does not need to have a protective system installed?

The standard does not require the installation and use of a protective system when an excavation (1) is made entirely in stable rock, or (2) is less than 5 feet deep and a competent person has examined the ground and found no indication of a potential cave-in.

When a trench is 4 feet or more in depth?

A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.

How far back from an excavation must the spoils be?

2 feet back

Set spoils and equipment at least 2 feet back from the excavation. the trench to prevent equipment and spoils from falling back into the excavation.

How far away must you stay from equipment being loaded or unloaded?

2 feet

Trenches deeper than 5 feet need to have a protective system in place unless they are made of stable rock. Don’t place any excavated soil/material within 2 feet of the trench edge. Don’t stand near any vehicle being loaded or unloaded.

What type of soil Cannot be benched?

Type C soil cannot be benched.

What is the most stable soil type?

Type A

OSHA classifies soils into three main groups: Type A, Type B, and Type C. Type A is the most stable and Type C is the least stable soil.

What is sloping in construction?

Sloping means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating to form sides of an excavation that are inclined away from the excavation so as to prevent cave-ins.

What is the maximum allowable slope for Type B soil?

1:1

Type B Soils shall have a maximum allowable slope of 1:1 (45 degrees). Type C Soils shall have a maximum allowable slope of 1 1/2:1 (34 degrees).

Is free seeping soil considered submerged soil?

“Free-seeping” soil is considered submerged soil. A hand-sized sample of cemented soil can’t be crushed into a powder. An increase or a decrease in moisture can both damage trench stability.

Can you slope Class C soil?

The incline of a slope for TYPE C soil is the flattest since TYPE C soil is the least cohesive and the most flowable. For TYPE C soil and a trench depth of less than 20 feet, the steepest maximum allowable slope is 34 degrees from the horizontal.