Floor hole covers must meet the applicable parts of 1926 502 i.
Osha floor hole cover requirements.
1910 23 a 9 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.
Covers for holes in floors roofs and other walking working surfaces shall meet the following requirements.
Or places a combination of floor markings and warning lines at least 6 feet 1 8 m from the edge of the pit.
1926 502 i 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.
The standard has two requirements with respect to holes.
Guarding floor and wall openings and holes osha standard 1910 23 5 railing toeboard and cover specifications railings a standard railing must consist of top rail intermediate rail and posts and must have a vertical height of 42 inches from the upper surface of the top rail to floor platform runway or ramp level.
If plywood is used as a temporary floor opening cover it must be clearly labeled and meet the strength requirements established by the occupational safety and health administration osha.
Section 1926 502 i 2 states.
Or places a warning line at least 6 feet 1 8 m from the edge of the pit as well as stanchions that are capable of resisting without tipping over a force of at least 16 pounds 71 n applied horizontally against the stanchion at a height of 30 inches 76 cm.
The cover shall be securely held in place to prevent tools or materials from falling through.
Osha s construction fall protection rule 29 cfr subpart m 1926 500 defines these terms as follows.
C overs 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 one time.
I each employee on walking working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes including skylights more than 6 feet 1 8 m above lower levels by personal fall arrest systems covers or guardrail systems erected around such holes.
Covers for holes in floors roofs and other walking working surfaces shall meet the following requirements.
1926 502 i 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.
So if a hole is more than 6 feet deep one of these protection systems must be used.