Construction Site Hazards: Floor Holes
One of the leading causes of injuries on construction sites is falls because of improperly secured floor holes. OSHA, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, requires that worksite employers safeguard open floor holes or place adequate warning signs around them.
What is a Floor Hole?
OSHA defines a floor hole as a gap or opening in a floor, roof, horizontal walking-working surface, or similar surface that is at least two inches wide. Common types of floor holes include:
● Roof and floor drains
● Skylights
● Missing floorboards
● Chutes
● Unfinished stairs
● Utility holes
● Unfinished ceilings
● Ducts
● Excavations
Floor holes can be found inside shops, buildings, or warehouses, on working platforms or roofs, and in outdoor working environments.
OSHA also states in Section 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4)(i) that “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."
What Can Construction Site Managers Do?
Proper planning, inspection, and maintenance by construction site managers can prevent falls through openings. Floor holes should be protected by signs, covers, and guardrails to prevent falls from floor holes.
The construction site should be inspected regularly to make sure that any floor holes in walking or working areas are marked and covered properly. All unprotected edges of a floor hole should have guardrails that meet construction safety guidelines.
Railings should remain in place even when the opening is not being used. All floor hole protection should remain in place until all work is completed at the site. Railings should be at least 42 inches high, have a mid-rail, and be capable of supporting twice the weight of employees, their equipment, and their materials.
Never assume everyone will see and avoid the floor hole or think caution tape will prevent an accident. It’s easy for a slip or trip near a hole to happen and cause serious injury. There’s no such thing as doing too much to protect a hazardous area like a floor hole.
What Can Construction Site Workers Do?
● Don’t multi-task on the construction site. That means no looking at your phone, yelling across the site to a co-worker, or looking anywhere other than what you’re walking towards.
● Inform the construction site manager if you see an unguarded or unmarked floor hole. ● Wear proper safety equipment while at the construction site to protect yourself in case you do fall.
● Keep a healthy distance between yourself and any floor holes.
● Do not sit or stand on any skylights or smoke vents.
Injuries from falling through a floor hole include fractures and broken bones, nerve damage and brain injury, paralysis, and disfigurement. These injuries sometimes require extensive medical treatment and time off from work to recover.
You can’t file a case against your employer, but you can file a Workers’ Compensation claim. Workers’ Compensation would be for wage replacement benefits while you’re out of work as well as medical treatment that is reasonable, necessary, and related to your workplace injury. You may also be able to file a third-party claim. Third parties include property owners, contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, or equipment manufacturers.
Contact an Experienced Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney
If you were injured due to a floor hole on a construction site it is imperative to work with a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation cases. Attorneys Jim and Steve Brady & Associates, PC have worked tirelessly to get their clients the floor-hole injury compensation they deserve.
You can contact us today to schedule a consultation.