Last week we discussed Walking-Working Surfaces. In this standard (OSHA 1910.21), OSHA discusses the basics of Walk-Working Surfaces, primarily focusing on what is required to protect employees from injury while negotiating the work place. This includes everything from hand and guardrails to grab bars and toe boards. Each of these safety requirements also have their own standard. For most, and those which are most commonly an injury risk, standard 1910.23 explains the requirements set by OSHA.

Standard 1910.23 discusses the specifics of railings, toe boards, coverings, and guards for floor and wall openings. This includes dimensions, clearance, materials they are made of, required strength, locations, construction, and anchoring of these floor and wall opening guards. It also discusses applicable signage, maintenance, and upkeep required.

Many customers we meet with don’t realize that this standard relates to them; floor and wall openings are not just the rough openings at construction sites or openings related to large industrial facilities. Per OSHA, these openings range from stairwells and ladders to skylights, chutes, and hatchways. If your place of business has any of these, it might be worth a second look at the guarding you have in place. And it should certainly be a part of your annual safety audits.

If you have any questions about the guards for floor and wall openings at your company, please contact us so we can help you guarantee that you have a safe worksite for all of your employees. And if you have anything to add about guarding for floor and wall openings, please leave a comment.