Gratings and Floor Openings

Floor openings and gratings are common on construction sites, treatment works, and industrial buildings.
Unsecured or missing gratings cause falls into voids, tanks, channels, and basement areas.
Gratings that are incorrectly seated can tip or slide when walked on or loaded with equipment.
Falls through floor openings are reportable under RIDDOR and can result in fatal injuries.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require openings to be securely covered or fenced.
Temporary covers must be clearly marked, secured against displacement, and strong enough for expected loads.
Gratings on process sites may be removed for maintenance — the opening must be barriered immediately.
Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and steel gratings have different load ratings and fixing requirements.
Poor lighting around floor openings significantly increases the risk of trips and falls.
Several serious injuries each year are caused by workers stepping onto unsecured or underrated gratings.

Prevent serious falls	An uncovered floor opening can result in a fatal fall, even from relatively low heights.
Legal duty	The Workplace Regulations 1992 and CDM 2015 require all openings to be securely covered or guarded.
Protect everyone on site	Visitors, other trades, and operatives unfamiliar with the area may not notice unguarded openings.

Do

Don't

Check all gratings are correctly seated and secured before walking on them
Barrier off any opening immediately when a grating or cover is removed for work
Mark temporary covers clearly with warning signs such as HOLE BELOW or DANGER
Ensure temporary covers can support the maximum expected load including plant
Fix covers in place so they cannot slide or be dislodged by wind or foot traffic
Report any missing, damaged, or loose gratings to the site supervisor immediately
Maintain adequate lighting around all floor openings and grating areas at all times
Reinstate gratings as soon as the work requiring their removal is complete
Use edge protection and toe boards around large openings that cannot be covered
Include floor openings and gratings in daily site safety inspections

DON'T walk on gratings that appear loose, corroded, damaged, or incorrectly seated
DON'T remove a grating without immediately placing a barrier around the opening
DON'T use plywood or boards as covers unless rated for the expected load
DON'T leave temporary covers unsecured where they can be moved accidentally
DON'T stack materials or equipment on gratings beyond their rated load capacity
DON'T assume others know an opening exists — always sign and barrier it
DON'T step over barriers placed around openings to take a shortcut
DON'T remove warning signs or barriers placed by others without authorisation
DON'T ignore a report of a missing grating — treat it as an immediate hazard
DON'T work near unprotected edges of large floor openings without fall protection

See also: Slips, Trips and Falls Awareness | Good Housekeeping Standards

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