This document provides guidance on construction site safety regarding floor openings. It notes that falls are the leading cause of injuries in construction and one third of serious injuries are due to falls. It stresses the importance of protecting floor openings by replacing guardrails, covers, or barricades immediately after removal. Small holes of 2 inches or more also need covering to prevent tools or materials from falling through and striking workers below. The talk recommends engaging the crew to identify any current or future areas needing floor protection and discuss past accidents related to openings to emphasize safety.

1. Construction Safety Talks
Floor Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.
Openings As a supervisor, you should know that falls cause more injuries in
the construction industry than any other type of accident. About
No. 20 one third of the serious injuries in the building trades are due to
falls.
Protection of floor openings is crucial. Remind your crew that if
How This Talk they have to remove guardrails, covers, or barricades to do their
Applies To My work, they must be put back as soon as the work is finished.
Crew:
This is also true if they just walk away from their task for even a
few minutes. Tell the crew that if they see an unprotected opening
to tell you immediately or to fix it themselves.
Consider posting signs that warn people to replace protection if
they must remove it. Here is an example:
IF YOU MUST REMOVE
THIS GUARD RAIL
BE SURE TO PUT IT BACK
Rails, covers, and barricades must be sturdy. The top rail of a
guardrail is installed 42 ± 3 inches above the floor. It must be able
to support 200 lbs when applied in the downward or outward
direction without sagging below 39 inches. Choice of materials is
up to you, but wire rope, 2X4 lumber, and piping are common
choices.
Covers must be able to support twice the anticipated weight that
may be applied, and secured to prevent movement. You can test
this by kicking a cover; it must not slide, leaving an uncovered
hole.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 1

2. OSHA construction standards define hole as “ a gap or void 2 inches or more in its least
dimension, in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface.” While you can fall through
a “big” hole, materials and tools can drop through smaller holes, striking personnel
below. A small hole also can cause a worker to trip or twist their foot or ankle and fall.
Try This For Show And Tell!
Go to a floor opening. Ask the crew what is wrong with it and what is correct about it.
Questions You Can Use To Get Them Talking:
• Do you know of any areas here where we need floor protection? Are there any
places where our floor protection isn't good enough?
• Are there any areas that you know of where we will have openings in the future?
How should they be protected?
• What procedures are other trades following for replacing floor opening protection
after it has been removed?
• Why should you cover plumbing penetrations or other “small” holes?
• Has anyone ever had an accident, or know of one, involving a floor opening?
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 2