Penetrations Covers

Any cover used to protect a penetration in a floor or other trafficable structural surface (e.g. roof, pit etc.) must be:

• Securely fixed in place
• Clearly marked with paint or signage
• WA: must state ‘DANGER HOLE BENEATH’
• NSW, QLD, VIC: must clearly identify that a penetration exists (e.g., “PENO” “PENETRATION – DO NOT REMOVE”, “HOLE BELOW” or project approved wording)
• Capable of withstanding foreseeable loads, for example:
• Personnel Only: able to withstand a 2 kN (i.e. 200kg) point load.
• Plant / Materials Storage: protected by a trafficable, capacity/load‑rated cover engineered to withstand the imposed loads (e.g., steel plate or engineered structural plywood)
• Free of slip / trip hazards – e.g. if located in a designated accessway, bevelled edges

Where mobile plant is expected to operate near a penetration, and the penetration cover is not rated for mobile plant loads, the penetration must be protected to prevent mobile plant access by:

• Installing edge protection or suitable barricading and signage around the penetration; and/or
• Installing timbers, wheel stops or similar physical barriers to prevent plant access to the cover, or
• A dedicated spotter/observer

Removal and Reinstatement of Penetration Covers or Edge Protection

Covers or edge protection must only be removed immediately prior to commencing any work associated with the penetration, after work related controls are established. Covers and/or edge protection must be reinstated as soon as practicable once the work is completed.

Where a penetration cover or edge protection is required to be removed to facilitate work (e.g. the installation of walls, services or similar), the following controls must be in place before the work commences:

• S Implement fall and/or falling object risk controls as described in the applicable SWMS (e.g. edge protection installed, exclusion zones established below the work area via overheard works coordination, tool tethering, height access equipment, height safety equipment)
• Establish barricading and signage at the working level and/or below to define exclusion zones.

 

Removal of Cast-In Wire Mesh

Where cast-in wire mesh is required to be removed to allow services installation or similar works, the wire mesh

• Must only be removed (cut-out) immediately prior to the installation; and
• Be restricted to the specific area required for the installation work.

Services in Penetrations (Risers)

Where vertical riser penetrations have had wire mesh removed and service(s) installed, the riser must be protected by:

• Edge protection, and either:
• A cover as defined above; or
• Where ductwork (e.g. mechanical) is installed, the duct should extend to a minimum of 900mm above the finished floor level (where practicable)

Where it is no longer practicable to reinstate the penetration cover (e.g. the riser walls are built on 3 sides), and there is a potential risk of fall, the penetration in the floor must be protected by suitable edge protection.

 

Lift Door Opening

Where lift door openings are protected by temporary covers (acting as edge protection) the temporary cover is to be replaced by the proprietary lift shaft gate prior to lift installation work occurring and until such time as permanent lift doors are installed. 

See Section: Edge Protection and Lift Shafts