Weekly Toolbox Talk: Floor Openings

n

Safely covering a floor opening with a piece of plywood requires more than just laying down the material over the hole, or even nailing it down.

n

Total on the job safety means a total job of eliminating a hazard. Half a job or inadequate or incomplete jobs of covering holes in the floor. Why did it happen?

n

Although originally nailed down with 8d concrete nails, a small piece of plywood over the hole wasn’t large enough to overlay it adequately. Traffic over it sprung the plywood and loosened the nails.

n

The plywood over the hole was not marked in any way. There was no warning of any kind on it. The man mistook it for a piece of loose material on the floor.

n

The laborer was not told about it. He was not aware of the fact that the covering of floor openings was a job procedure calculated to prevent accidents. Nor was he told that he must maintain and report such danger spots.

n

Anything less than total safety is no safety at all. The total safety attitude must be kept in mind when floor openings are being covered.

n

n
• n

  Make sure holes are covered securely, with a cover big enough and rigid enough to prevent failure.

  n

n

• n

  Pay attention to danger warnings about floor openings. Listen when you are told about them.

  n

n

• n

  Never move a floor opening cover without permission.

  n

n

n