SLP/Specific/TBT-SLP-008

Boarding and Temporary Walkways

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Boarding and Temporary Walkways

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-SLP-008  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
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What?

  • Temporary walkways and boarding provide safe pedestrian routes across muddy, uneven, or hazardous ground.
  • Poorly maintained walkways with broken boards, gaps, and protruding fixings cause trips, falls, and ankle injuries.
  • Walkways over trenches and excavations must be designed to carry the intended pedestrian and material loads.
  • Guardrails are required on walkways over excavations, voids, or where there is a fall risk to either side.
  • Boarding must be secured to prevent it shifting, rocking, or lifting under foot traffic loads.
  • Wet and muddy boarding becomes extremely slippery; non-slip surfaces or mesh should be applied.
  • Temporary walkways must be wide enough for the expected traffic; minimum 600mm for single pedestrian use.
  • The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require safe walking routes on construction sites.
  • Walkways crossing drainage channels and services need structural boards or proprietary trench crossing units.
  • Daily inspection and maintenance of temporary walkways is essential to keep them safe for use.

Why?

Prevent trip injuriesBroken boards, gaps, and uneven surfaces on walkways cause trips that result in fractures, sprains, and head injuries.
Fall protectionWalkways over excavations without guardrails allow pedestrians to fall into trenches and voids.
Legal dutyThe Workplace Regulations 1992 require employers to provide and maintain safe pedestrian access across the site.
Do Don't
  • Secure all boarding to prevent shifting, rocking, or lifting under foot traffic.
  • Install guardrails on walkways over excavations, voids, and drop-off edges.
  • Apply non-slip surfaces or mesh to boarding in wet or muddy conditions.
  • Provide a minimum width of 600mm for single pedestrian walkways on site.
  • Inspect temporary walkways daily and repair defects before they cause injuries.
  • Design walkways over trenches to carry the expected pedestrian and material loads.
  • Remove protruding nails, screws, and fixings that create trip and puncture hazards.
  • Light walkways adequately for safe use during dark and overcast conditions.
  • Replace broken, split, or rotting boards immediately when discovered.
  • Keep walkways clear of tools, materials, and debris at all times.
  • DON'T use loose boards that rock, shift, or flip up under foot traffic.
  • DON'T allow walkways over excavations without guardrails on both sides.
  • DON'T leave gaps between boards wide enough to catch a boot heel.
  • DON'T use smooth plywood boarding without non-slip treatment in wet areas.
  • DON'T overload walkways with materials beyond their designed load capacity.
  • DON'T leave broken or damaged boarding in place; replace it immediately.
  • DON'T store materials or park plant on designated pedestrian walkways.
  • DON'T create single-board walkways over trenches; use designed crossing units.
  • DON'T skip daily inspections of temporary walkways, especially after rain.
  • DON'T allow protruding nails or fixings to remain on any walkway surface.

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