Openings

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Guardrails or a protective covering can be used to protect employees from an opening on a work surface.

Summary

An unprotected opening on a work surface is a serious hazard that puts employees at risk of injuries from falls. Guardrails around the opening or protective coverings are common forms of protection.

Guardrails or a protective covering can be used to protect employees from an opening on a work surface.

As an employer, you must ensure:

  • The opening is guarded with:
    • A guardrail on all exposed sides, or
    • A protective covering that:
      • Completely covers the opening.
      • Stands out with bright paint. DANGER! OPENING. DO NOT REMOVE. DO NOT LOAD!
      • Fastens securely to prevent employees from removing it and falling in the hole.
      • Is strong enough to support any load to which it may be subjected, such as a person's weight. [Reg. 91-191, S.111(1)]
    • If the opening is a hatchway, chute, pit or trap-door, it is guarded with:
      • A guardrail on all exposed sides, where no more than two sides are removable, or
      • A flush hinged protective covering. [Reg. 91-191, S.111(2)]

If the opening leads to a stairway or ladder, it is guarded on all exposed sides, except for the side that leads to the stairway or ladder's entrance. [Reg. 91-191, S.111(3)]

  • The opening is constantly attended by an employee or is guarded when the opening is not in use. [Reg. 91-191, S.111(4)]

While the employer is ultimately responsible for all the provisions mentioned above, the supervisor has a vital role to play in the safety of their teams. As a supervisor, you must:

  • Acquaint your employees with the hazards and control measures associated with their work.
  • Provide the information and instruction necessary to ensure their health and safety.
  • Enforce company safety rules, programs, codes of practice and procedures, including ensuring employees comply with the requirements below.

As an employee, you must:

  • Know the location of openings where falls could occur.
  • Ensure guardrails or coverings are being used.
  • Replace a guardrail that has been removed. [Reg. 91-191, S.100(2)]

Legislation

General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act

N.B. Reg. 91-191

Part X CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC AND BUILDING SAFETY

Section 100
  • 100. (1) Where a guardrail is removed in order for work to be done, an employer and a contractor shall each ensure that
    • (a) adequate precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the employee doing the work and any other employee, and
    • (b) the area is not left unguarded.
  • (2) An employee who removes a guardrail in order to do work shall replace the guardrail before leaving the area.
Section 111 Openings and fall prevention
  • 111. (1) An owner of a place of employment, an employer and a contractor shall each ensure that an opening on a work surface into which an employee may fall is guarded as follows:
    • (a) on all exposed sides by a guardrail; or
    • (b) by a protective covering that
      • (i) completely covers the opening,
      • (ii) is securely fastened,
      • (iii) is made from material adequate to support all loads to which the covering may be subjected, and
      • (iv) is marked as covering an opening.
  • (2) Despite subsection (1), if an opening is a hatchway, chute, pit or trap-door the owner of the place of employment, an employer and the contractor shall each ensure that openings are guarded as follows:
    • (a) on all exposed sides by guardrails that are removable on not more than two sides and that are fixed on the other exposed sides; or
    • (b) by a flush hinged protective covering that
      • (i) completely covers the opening,
      • (ii) is securely fastened,
      • (iii) is of adequate strength,
      • (iv) is marked as covering an opening, and
      • (v) is adequately supported with attached railings so as to leave only one side of the opening exposed when the cover is open.
  • (3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), if an opening leads to a stairway or ladder, an owner of a place of employment, an employer and a contractor shall each ensure that the opening is guarded by guardrails on all exposed sides, except for the side leading to the entrance to the stairway or ladder.
  • (4) If a protective covering is used over an opening but is not in place, an owner of a place of employment, an employer and a contractor shall each ensure that the opening is constantly attended by an employee or is guarded by a guardrail on all exposed sides.

[N.B. Reg. 2010-159, s. 20]

112. Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 2010-159, s. 21]

Access and Egress