BEFORE ENTERING ANY MANHOLE, REMEMBER THAT THE INTERIOR MAY BE RATED AS A CONFINED SPAE AND COULD BE HAZARDOUS.
CONSULT ALL APPLICABLE CODES BEFORE PROCEEDING.
MANHOLE STRUCTURE inspection
- Cover
The manhole cover should be secure upon arriving at the site.
The manhole cover should be in good operating order, allowing ease of entry / exit from the manhole.
A confined space entry sign should be present either on the underside of the manhole cover or at the first ladder rung.
- Ladder (if present):
Each ladder rung should be inspected for connection to the ladder uprights, signs of damage, missing / worn / loose rung non-slip surface.
The ladder mounting brackets that mount the ladder to the manhole wall should be inspected to ensure that they are securely fastened.
Ladder rungs may need periodic cleaning to keep them free of bioslime or other debris that would otherwise make the rung slippery. A mild detergent may be used.
- Accessories (if present):
Inspect any lights, fans, or electrical equipment for condition.
Make sure ventilation piping is unobstructed.
Manhole benching should be periodically cleaned to keep it free of bioslime or other debris accumulation. A mild detergent may be used.
For manholes incorporating flow measuring devices, refer to those items' operation and maintenance for additional details.
Open channel grinders represent a considerable hazard to operators entering a Grinder Manhole. Refer to the grinder manufacturer’s operations and maintenance manual.