Floor and Wall Holes

Floor and wall holes can cause nasty falls with serious injuries. Employers must create a safe work place that prevents employees from falling off of overhead platforms or elevated work stations, or through holes in the floor and walls. 29 CFR §1910.23 provides regulations for the protection of employees regarding floor and wall holes.

Employers must guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally fall through by providing a railing and either a toeboard or a floor hole cover. The employer must also provide a guard rail and toeboard around every elevated open-sided platform, floor, or runway. Regardless of the height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment, such as a vat or a conveyor belt, employers must provide guardrails and toeboards to prevent workers from falling and being injured.

In addition, any stairway floor opening should be guarded by a standard railing, and the railing should be provided on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the stairway. Ladderway floor openings or platforms should be guarded by a standard railing and toeboard on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the opening. A swinging gate must be provided at the entrance so that a person cannot walk directly into the opening.

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