How big can a floor opening be until fall protection is required?
Looking to out some small holes in the floor but wondering if anyone knows at what width opening fall protection would be required. Anyone know?
Comments (5)
A "hole" is 2" or more in its LEAST dimension. If it meets that criteria, you have to protect it by a hole cover, guardrail, travel restraint, or PFAS. Look at 1910.28 and 1910.29 for specifics.
Drew is right it says 2 inches or more but I did an inspection for a special needs group and found that some individuals had several near misses with a small 1 inch hole. I guess it depends on the rest of the floor condition and location.
Here is one from British Columbia's WorkSafeBC.
(1) A pit or other opening in a floor, walkway, roof or other area accessible to workers, which is a danger to workers, must be securely covered with a cover of adequate size and strength or guarded by fixed or movable guardrails, which must be identified as such and kept in place except when necessarily removed to work in the opening or pit.