Section 408.42044. Manual removal of ceiling and floor systems.

(1) A floor upon or above which an employee is working  and which will be weakened by manual demolition shall be shored to support the intended load.

(2)   An opening that is cut into a floor for disposal of materials shall not be more than 25% of the total floor area, unless the lateral supports of the removed flooring remain in place.

(3)    An opening that is cut into a floor shall extend the full span of the floor between supports.

(4)   Before a floor is demolished, debris and other  material  shall  be removed from the area and adjacent areas for a distance of not  less  than 20 feet.

(5)   Before demolishing a floor arch, debris and other material shall be removed from the arch and other adjacent floor area. Planks that  are  not less than 2 inches by 10 inches in cross section, full size undressed, shall be provided for, and used by, an employee to stand on while breaking down a floor arch between beams. The planks shall be  located   so  as  to provide a safe support for the workmen  if  the  arch between the  beams collapses. The open space between planks shall not be more than 16 inches.

(6)   A safe walkway, not less than 18 inches wide, formed  of   planks   not less than 2 inches thick if wood, or of equivalent strength  if   metal, shall be provided for, and used by, employees when necessary to enable them to reach any point without walking upon exposed beams.

(7)   Planks shall be laid together over   solid  bearings  with   the   ends overlapping at least 1 foot.

(8)   A floor arch to an elevation of not more than 25 feet above grade may be removed to provide storage area for debris, if the removal does not endanger the stability of the structure.

History: 1981 AACS.