Openings And Shafts

By ADMINISTRATORUncategorized

Unprotected openings in floors and shafts are serious hazards and put employees at risk of injury from falls.   In Canada, falls injure more than 40,000 workers and a large number of these falls are associated with floor openings or building shafts. Covers and guardrails are used as common forms of protection. Injuries and fatalities happen around openings and shafts when:

  • unclear job procedures lead to unsafe work practices
  • over time, workers become complacent
  • workers rush or and take shortcuts to meet deadlines
  • Protective devices such as proper covers, barricades, and guardrails are not used or are installed improperly
  • Personal protective equipment that has been provided is not used or used improperly
  • training is inadequate
  • hole coverings are constructed of unsafe material
  • poor lighting or improper work materials make floor openings difficult to see
  • housekeeping practices are careless or poor

A building shaft is a continuous vertical space substantially enclosed on all sides that extends for two or more floors, and includes elevator shafts, ventilation shafts, stairwells and service shafts.

A floor opening can also be an opening or hole in a platform, pavement or yard that measures 300mm (12 inches) or more in its smallest dimension.

An employer, contractor or owner must:

  • Give notice to the division when digging a shaft or tunnel. 
  • Identify any hazards regarding floor openings or shafts before work begin.
  • Cover or guard openings in floors, roofs, and other work surfaces a worker could step or fall into.
    • Guardrails must have a toeboard.
    • Covers must be able to support 360 kilograms per square metre. 
  • Provide effective protection against falls when covers or guardrails are removed even if only part of the guardrail or toeboard is missing. 
  • Set up a warning sign or permanent label that informs others of the covered hazardous openings.  Warning signs must stand out on a busy construction site.
  • Ensure every building shaft that has a doorway or opening without a platform installed is covered by a solid barrier that extends from the bottom of the doorway or opening to a height of at least 2m.  These solid barriers must be able to prevent workers and loose materials from falling down the shaft. 
  • Have work platforms that are integral parts of a slip form used in building shafts that are designed by professional engineers.  These platforms must withstand any maximum foreseeable loads and be constructed, erected, and used in accordance with the professional design.  If the platform is moved, it must be examined by a competent person and a written report must be kept by the employer, contractor, or owner. 
  • Not require or permit workers to be on platforms mentioned above without a personal fall arrest system, a full-body harness, a lanyard or a lifeline that meet legislative requirements. 
  • Set up at least one permanent warning sign on a building shaft’s barrier so that people are informed of the hazardous openings. Warning signs must stand out on a busy construction site. 
  • Fix storage tanks with permanent walkways that have guardrails when workers are regularly walking or working on top of them.  If working or walking on a storage tank is required but not considered a regular part of the job, all storage tank openings must be covered or guarded where workers could fall into them. Grids are commonly used in such situations. 
  • Around each excavated shaft or tunnel opening, install a solid or wire mesh fence at least 1m high.  This will prevent material from falling into a shaft or tunnel opening.  Gates in the fence must be substantial and at least 1m high.  Keep all gates closed when workers are not using them. 
  • Develop and implement a fall protection plan and have it accessible on all work sites where there is a risk of workers falling.  

A worker must:

  • Participate in identifying any hazards before any work begins and as it is ongoing; noting any openings, holes in floors or building shafts, both secured or non-secured, and communicate with others in the work area.
  • Keep an eye out to ensure covers and other safeguards are being used.
  • Practice proper housekeeping around the construction site. 
  • Follow safe job procedures and safe work practices. 
  • Use all forms of safeguards, safety appliances, and personal protective equipment provided. 
  • Always use another form of fall protection when installing, removing a safeguard, guardrail or cover or when working near an unprotected edge.

 

Credits: this article was originally published on SCSA.