Potential Hazards: Injury due to stepping into or falling through an opening Injury due to falling off decks, gratings, walkways, catwalks, or other surfaces   Requirements and Example Solutions: Flush Manholes and Other Small Openings Flush manholes and other small openings must be covered or provided with a 30-inch-high guard. [1915.73(b)] Open Hatches Open hatches must be protected by coamings of at least 24-inches-high or adequately guarded. [1915.73(c)] Decks and Other Flat Surfaces Unguarded edges more than 5 feet above solid surfaces require guardrails. [1915.73(d)] Open Bilges When bilges, plates, or flooring are removed, guardrails or adequate flooring must be provided. [1915.73(f)] Unguarded edges above water require guardrails, or workers must wear personal flotation devices (PDFs). [1915.73(e)] Gratings, Walkways and Catwalks Gratings, walkways, and catwalks, from which sections or ladders have been removed, must be barricaded with adequate guardrails. [1915.73(g)]   Fig 2: Properly guarded manhole.   Fig 3: Open hatch with 24 inch high coaming.   Fig 4: Riggers on elevated work surface protected by guard rails.   Fig 5: Improper practice: Worker above edge of water must be protected by guardrails.   Figure 6: Improper practice: Removed grating causes slip and fall hazards.