Origination Date:
October 7, 2011
Revision Date:
Release Authorized by:
Danny Trahan, Safety Director
June
2012
Manual Rev 4
GUARDING, GUARDRAILS & FLOORING PLATE REMOVAL
GRADING, GUARDRAILS & FLOOR PLATE REMOVAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PURPOSE .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
APPLICATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
PERMITS .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Permit to Work .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Grating, Floor Plate, and Guardrail Removal ........................................................................................... 3
Grating/Floor Plate/Guardrail Removal Permit Issuer Training and Authorization ................................. 3
GRATING AND FLOOR PLATE REMOVAL/REINSTALLING ............................................................................ 4
Removal .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Reinstalling ............................................................................................................................................... 4
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
P2S Health, Safety & Environmental
Copyright © 2012, P2S. All Rights Reserved.
Page 1 of 5
Origination Date:
October 7, 2011
Revision Date:
Release Authorized by:
Danny Trahan, Safety Director
June
2012
Manual Rev 4
GUARDING, GUARDRAILS & FLOORING PLATE REMOVAL
PURPOSE
This practice establishes the requirements for removing grating, floor plate, and guardrails, and protecting
personnel from potential fall hazards as a result.
SCOPE
This practice includes the following major sections:



General Requirements
Permits
Grating and Floor Plate Removal/Reinstalling
APPLICATION
This practice applies to work activities and employees under the control of P2S and its contractors.
DEFINITIONS
None.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A Grating/Floor Plate/Guardrail Removal Checklist and Permit (Form 000.653.F0170) must be completed and
approved before any grating, floor plate, or guardrail or clamp, clip, or other retaining piece is loosened, adjusted,
modified, or removed (whether partial or fully).
Supervision must ensure that removal of grating, floor plate, or guardrail is necessary to perform the task. Once it
is established that removal is necessary, supervision must review the work to minimize the amount of grating, floor
plate, and/or guardrail to be removed.
Supervisors, together with the HSE Representative, must review the actual work location to confirm that removal of
the grating, floor plate, or guardrail is the only way to perform the task safely.
Only those crafts/trades that are specifically trained to perform such work (such as “structural steel workers”) will
be allowed to remove/replace grating, floor plate, and guardrail.
Fall protection must be provided for those working inside a barricade, as required by Practice 000.653.3001.
No opening must ever be left unguarded … post a watch if necessary.
When working in the area of removed grating or floor plate, ensure adequate lighting is provided to illuminate the
opening.
Warn and inform other personnel in the area of the removed grating or floor plate.
All grating or floor plate must either be reinstalled at the completion of the work task or at the end of the shift, or a
floor hole cover is installed that meets the requirements of section 3.1. No opening must remain beyond the end of
a shift, unless a new permit is obtained.
General rules for handling floor grating and floor plate include the following:
 Comply with all building, area, and site safety rules.
P2S Health, Safety & Environmental
Copyright © 2012, P2S. All Rights Reserved.
Page 2 of 5
Origination Date:
October 7, 2011
Revision Date:
Release Authorized by:
Danny Trahan, Safety Director
June
2012
Manual Rev 4
GUARDING, GUARDRAILS & FLOORING PLATE REMOVAL
 Wear the minimum personal protective equipment (such as safety glasses, leather gloves, and toe
protection).
 Use safety harness and life lines as required by Practice 000.653.3001, Fall Protection.
 Determine the weight of the item to be lifted before attempting the lift.
 Ensure the appropriate lifting tools/equipment will be used; do not use hands unless hand-holds or
handles are provided.
 Avoid placing hands near the opening of grating, floor plate, decking, or manhole covers when removing or
replacing them.
 Be alert for pinch points.
 Request assistance in lifting when necessary, then lift together and coordinate movements carefully.
 Maintain proper footing when prying or lifting.
 Be aware of potentially unsafe conditions that may exist if a pry/lifting bar should slip.
Barricaded areas will be large enough to maintain adequate work area space and good housekeeping practices in
accordance with Practice 000.653.3300, Housekeeping.
Permanent lifting handles must be installed if grating or floor plate is routinely removed for maintenance access.
Floor penetrations will be adequately protected with “kick plates.”
PERMITS
Permit to Work
If the permit to work process is in use, a Permit to Work must be obtained (Form 000.653.F0181) in accordance
with Practice 000.653.1302, Permit to Work.
Grating, Floor Plate, and Guardrail Removal
Before grating, floor plate, or guardrail can be removed, a Grating/Floor Plate/Guardrail Removal Checklist and
Permit will be completed by the supervisor and the required approvals obtained. A copy of the checklist and permit
must be placed in the general area where the grating/floor plate/guardrail is removed, with the original filed in the
project office.
The requirements of this permit must be addressed during the pre-task safety meeting held with all involved
employees before work commences.
Grating/Floor Plate/Guardrail Removal Permit Issuer Training and Authorization
The appointment and training of Grating/Floor Plate/Guardrail Removal Authorized Permit Issuers is similar to
Permit to Work and Confined Space Entry Permit Authorized Permit Issuers (refer to Practice 000.653.1302).
However, in addition, they will have sound and thorough knowledge in matters relating to the preparation and
conduct of grating, floor plate, and guardrail removal. Practical experience in preparing grating/floor
plate/guardrail removal permits under guidance may be appropriate. Appointment is made in writing on Form
000.653.F0205, Authorized Permit Issuers, by the Project Manager.
P2S Health, Safety & Environmental
Copyright © 2012, P2S. All Rights Reserved.
Page 3 of 5
Origination Date:
October 7, 2011
Revision Date:
Release Authorized by:
Danny Trahan, Safety Director
June
2012
Manual Rev 4
GUARDING, GUARDRAILS & FLOORING PLATE REMOVAL
Note: When performing grating/floor plate/guardrail removal in an operating facility, it
is a common requirement to use the facility “grating/floor plate/guardrail removal
permit process” instead of the process described above.
GRATING AND FLOOR PLATE REMOVAL/REINSTALLING
Removal
A hazard checklist and Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Form 000.653.F0100, and a Safety Task Assignment (STA),
Form 000.653.F0101, will be completed.
A piece of grating or floor plate will never be removed or left out without:
 installing a rigid barricade, guardrail, or equivalent, which will entirely encompass the opening, or
 properly covering the opening.
If a floor hole cover(s) is used, it must:
 Be constructed to adequately support without failure, at least twice the weight of any person(s) and/or
equipment to which the cover may be subjected
 Be cleated or secured by means of wire tie downs, clips, or other equivalent fastening method
 Visibly identify the hazard on the cover, DANGER – HOLE COVER – DO NOT REMOVE (refer to
Practice 000.653.3301, Barricades, Signs, and Tags).
If rigid barricading or guardrail is used, it will:
 Be constructed of wood (2 inches by 4 inches/5.1 centimeters by 10.2 centimeters), angle iron or rigid
material of comparable strength, or a combined system of components capable of achieving the same level of
protection such as wire rope and stanchions
 Have a complete toprail (no voids)
 Have a toprail height of not less than 39 inches (99.1 centimeters) and not more than 42 inches
(106.9 centimeters) above the grate floor
 Have a complete midrail installed at a point midway between the top edge of the toprail and the grate floor,
with exception of the designated access point to the removed grate(s) opening
Employees working inside the barricaded area will wear appropriate fall protection.
The area below the intended opening (whether grating, floor plate, or guardrail removal) that may be affected by
the overhead hazard(s) will be barricaded and sign-posted to prevent access.
Reinstalling
The remaining grates/floor plates bordering the removed grate(s)/floor plate(s) opening must be protected from
movement or slippage. The existing grating/floor plate can be secured by wiring down, installing clips, or other
means capable of being secured.
Grating/floor plates must be set in an area so as not to create a tripping hazard or interfere with other contractors or
work activities.
P2S Health, Safety & Environmental
Copyright © 2012, P2S. All Rights Reserved.
Page 4 of 5
Origination Date:
October 7, 2011
Revision Date:
Release Authorized by:
Danny Trahan, Safety Director
June
2012
Manual Rev 4
GUARDING, GUARDRAILS & FLOORING PLATE REMOVAL
Stacks will be organized and uniform in accordance with floor-loading limits, and not present a safety hazard.
When reinstalling gratings and floor plates, ensure that the grating/floor plate is correctly positioned and fastened.
After work has been completed and before the barricade is removed, all grating, floor plates, and guardrails must be
checked to verify that all clamps and clips have been secured.
REFERENCES
Document ID
Document Title
000.653.1302
Permit to Work
000.653.3001
Fall Protection
000.653.3300
Housekeeping
000.653.3301
Barricades, Signs, and Tags
Forms:
000.653.F0100
Job Safety Analysis
000.653.F0101
Safety Task Assignment
000.653.F0170
Grating/Floor Plate/Guardrail Removal Checklist
and Permit
000.653.F0181
Permit to Work
000.653.F0205
Authorized Permit Issuers
P2S Health, Safety & Environmental
Copyright © 2012, P2S. All Rights Reserved.
Page 5 of 5