Embodiments of a manhole cover safety apparatus having a circular base defining a central opening and a flange that extends outwardly from the circular base. An expandable cover is in rotatable engagement with the flange through a plurality of frame members that are secured to a cover portion which is operable between a deployed position wherein the cover portion covers at least a portion of the circular opening to provide a visual and physical warning of an uncovered manhole and a retracted position wherein the cover portion does not cover the central opening.

A tubular insert sleeve system comprises a tubular insert sleeve for insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover adapted to extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the excavated hole. One or more sleeve fastening apertures are defined through the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof, and are adapted to receive one or more vermiform fasteners for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve fastening apertures are in the form of handles. In some embodiments, one or more cover fastening apertures are defined through the safety cover and the cover fastening aperture(s) cooperate with the sleeve fastening aperture(s) to receive the vermiform fastener(s) to fasten the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve.

Embodiments of a manhole cover safety apparatus having a circular base defining a central opening and a flange that extends outwardly from the circular base. An expandable cover is in rotatable engagement with the flange through a plurality of frame members that are secured to a cover portion which is operable between a deployed position wherein the cover portion covers at least a portion of the circular opening to provide a visual and physical warning of an uncovered manhole and a retracted position wherein the cover portion does not cover the central opening.

A removable obturation device is provided for transversely obstructing a passage delimited by a cylindrical side wall wherein it includes: a) a support and blocking element having a central block supporting a plurality of arms disposed perpendicularly in a radial position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the block and of the side wall, each arm having an extensible rod including a pad intended to be blocked against one the side wall, and b) at least one complementary obturation element extending in a radial transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, at least partly in or opposite the space between the arms so as to prevent an individual from falling through the passage. The obstruction element is preferably removably fastened to the support and blocking element.

A tubular insert sleeve system comprises a tubular insert sleeve for insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover adapted to extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the excavated hole. One or more sleeve fastening apertures are defined through the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof, and are adapted to receive one or more vermiform fasteners for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve fastening apertures are in the form of handles. In some embodiments, one or more cover fastening apertures are defined through the safety cover and the cover fastening aperture(s) cooperate with the sleeve fastening aperture(s) to receive the vermiform fastener(s) to fasten the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve.

A manhole platform is provided for mounting on an upper slab of a concrete manhole to allow the manhole to be lifted into or out of position and to provide a safe platform on top for users to stand on. The manhole platform has a support plate for mounting on an upper surface of the upper slab to cover an access hole of the upper slab. A clamping bracket is provided that extends downwardly from a lower side of the support plate, through the access hole, to clamp the manhole platform to the upper slab. An actuator is located above an upper surface of the support plate to operate the clamping bracket between a clamping position in which the manhole platform is clamped to the upper slab, and an unclamped position in which the manhole platform can be lifted off of the upper slab.

An underground storage vault having a hatch affixed to a hatchway. The underfloor storage vault may be incorporated into a larger structure such that the surface of the vault's hatch may be flush with the surrounding floor, allowing for the hatch to be easily concealed. Once the concealment has been removed, fasteners can be undone so that the hatch can be removed from inhibiting access to the hatchway. Valuables and possessions can be stored in the vaults storage compartment and safely secured by re-affixing the hatch to the vault's hatchway.

In one embodiment, an electronically controlled hatch system for safe ingress, egress, hazard detection, and methods thereof are provided to reduce or eliminate hazards to personnel, including protection of people above and below a scuttle hatch, access port, skylight or elevated deck. Said hatch system reduces the risk of falls while ascending or descending a ladder through an access port. In certain embodiments, severe weather, hazard, security, and other safety information are detected and transmitted to a central control unit for processing and regulating the opening and closing of a hatch covering the access port and/or raising and lowering a safety railing system based on said information and/or user input. Said hatch system may include an actuator and guides for automatically locking/unlocking and opening/closing a hatch, an actuator and guides for automatically raising/lowering a railing system, safety monitoring detectors/apparatuses, and a centralized controller.

A tubular insert sleeve system comprises a tubular insert sleeve for insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover adapted to extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the excavated hole. One or more sleeve fastening apertures are defined through the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof, and are adapted to receive one or more vermiform fasteners for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve fastening apertures are in the form of handles. In some embodiments, one or more cover fastening apertures are defined through the safety cover and the cover fastening aperture(s) cooperate with the sleeve fastening aperture(s) to receive the vermiform fastener(s) to fasten the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve.

A tubular insert sleeve system comprises a tubular insert sleeve for insertion into an excavated hole and a snug fitting and removable safety cover adapted to extend over the upper end of the tubular insert sleeve in order to cover the excavated hole. One or more sleeve fastening apertures are defined through the tubular insert sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof, and are adapted to receive one or more vermiform fasteners for fastening the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve fastening apertures are in the form of handles. In some embodiments, one or more cover fastening apertures are defined through the safety cover and the cover fastening aperture(s) cooperate with the sleeve fastening aperture(s) to receive the vermiform fastener(s) to fasten the safety cover to the tubular insert sleeve.