Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Floor opening: an opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard through which persons may fall; such as a hatchway, stair or ladder opening, pit or large manhole. Floor openings occupied by elevators, dumb waiters, conveyors, machinery, or containers are excluded from this subpart.
1910.28(b)(3)(v) Each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute-floor hole by:
1910.28(b)(3)(v)(A) A hinged floor-hole cover that meets the criteria in § 1910.29 and a fixed guardrail system that leaves only one exposed side. When the hole is not in use, the employer must ensure the cover is closed or a removable guardrail system is provided on the exposed sides;
1910.28(b)(3)(v)(B) A removable guardrail system and toeboards on not more than two sides of the hole and a fixed guardrail system on all other exposed sides. The employer must ensure the removable guardrail system is kept in place when the hole is not in use; or
1910.28(b)(3)(v)(C) A guardrail system or a travel restraint system when a work operation necessitates passing material through a hatchway or chute floor hole.
Floor opening: an opening measuring 12 inches or more in its least dimension, in any floor, platform, pavement, or yard through which persons may fall; such as a hatchway, stair or ladder opening, pit or large manhole. Floor openings occupied by elevators, dumb waiters, conveyors, machinery, or containers are excluded from this subpart.
1910.28(b)(3)(v) Each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute-floor hole by:
1910.28(b)(3)(v)(A) A hinged floor-hole cover that meets the criteria in § 1910.29 and a fixed guardrail system that leaves only one exposed side. When the hole is not in use, the employer must ensure the cover is closed or a removable guardrail system is provided on the exposed sides;
1910.28(b)(3)(v)(B) A removable guardrail system and toeboards on not more than two sides of the hole and a fixed guardrail system on all other exposed sides. The employer must ensure the removable guardrail system is kept in place when the hole is not in use; or
1910.28(b)(3)(v)(C) A guardrail system or a travel restraint system when a work operation necessitates passing material through a hatchway or chute floor hole.
