THE GVK GROUP INCORPORATING GORDON VERHOEF & KRAUSE AND

GVK SIYA ZAMA

DOC: 4.4.2/01/11 DATE: 11-11-2013 REV: 02
IMS
Competence, Training and Awareness – Toolbox Talk: Edges and Openings
Project Name: Date:

Site Manager / Supervisor / Presenter Name:

This form should be used by site Supervisors / Foremen / Managers during the site Toolbox Talks / Meetings & training sessions.
All the attendees should sign the register to prove their attendance at the meeting.

Topic Discussed: Edges and Openings Name and Surname Signature Company

Edges and manholes must be barricaded to

acceptable standards; effective barricades should
not serve as a warning but also as physical restraint,
to prevent people from falling into openings and
excavations or off the end of drop off edges.

The following suggestions can be done / actioned to

overcome the danger of falling in to openings or
over exposed edges:
 All physical barriers in the form of edge protection
must be fitted at 500mm and 900mm, these are
known as knee rails and hand rails
 Decks edges must be fitted with a physical barrier
to prevent falling, knee and hand rails, this may
include toe boards to prevent equipment falling to
a lower level
 Provide handrails to all ramps and walkways, good
practice is to provide knee rails as well to prevent
wheelbarrows and other equipment falling off the
sides of the ramp
 Excavations must be barricaded securely all the
way around, this must be a physical barrier to
prevent people, materials and equipment from
falling into the excavations
 All edges, openings, excavations and possible fall
hazards must be well sign boarded and workers
and the public must be made aware of the risks of
the areas affected
 Good supervision must be present at all times on
site and safety discipline must be enforced to
prevent accidents happening.

It is the responsibility of management and

supervisors to ensure that working conditions are
made as safe as possible for you, the worker and for
members of the public. This is why we put up
physical barriers and signage in high risk areas.

Questions for discussion:

1) What is a knee rail? What height must it be put
up at?
2) What is a hand rail? What height must it be put
up at?
3) Why do ramps need edge protection?