NIOSH Alert – Skylight, Roof and Floor Openings
Skylight, Roof and Floor Openings
As part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor or at least 2, and under the supervision of a qualified person.
Covers: covers located on 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. All other covers shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any time. All covers shall be secured when installed so as to prevent displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees.
All covers shall be color coded, or they shall be marked with the word HOLE or COVER to provide warning of the hazard. Note: this provision does not apply to cast iron manhole covers or steel grates used on streets or roadways.
Guardrail System means a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels. Through guardrail systems, which details requirements for the installation and use of guardrails. Selected paragraphs that describe requirements when guardrail systems are used around holes are included: When guardrails are used at holes, they shall be erected on all unprotected sides or edges of the holes.
When guardrails are used around holes used for the passage of materials, the holes shall have not more than 2 sides provided with removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. When the hole is not in use, it shall be closed over with a cover, or a guardrail system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges. When guardrails are used around holes that are used as points of access they shall be provided with a gate or be so offset that a person cannon walk directly into a hole.