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A safety grille installed on a manhole cover
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The Importance of Safety Grilles in Modern Ironwork Installations

24 April 2025
Richard Lovatt
Richard Lovatt

Fabrication Manager

What’s happening beneath the cover is just as important as surface level strength and durability - especially when it comes to keeping people safe.

When it comes to ironwork installations, surface-level strength and durability often steal the spotlight. But what’s happening beneath the cover is just as important - especially when it comes to keeping people safe. 

That’s where safety grilles, also known as safety grids, come into play. 

An added layer of protection 

Access covers are an essential part of our infrastructure - used across highways, footpaths and public spaces to provide access to underground chambers and services. But during inspection or maintenance, these covers are often left open. Without a physical barrier beneath, this can create a serious fall risk for operatives and members of the public alike. 

A safety grille is a robust steel grid fitted just below the surface cover. It’s designed to act as a secondary barrier, reducing the risk of accidental falls while allowing routine access to be carried out safely and efficiently. 

Why safety grilles matter 

Whether you call them safety grilles or safety grids, their purpose is clear: to protect. But it’s not just about health and safety compliance—it’s about real-world risk reduction. 

Here’s why more clients are choosing to specify them: 

  • Prevents falls into open chambers, especially in high footfall or trafficked areas 
  • Improves on-site safety during inspections and maintenance 
  • Deters unauthorised access or interference with the chamber contents 
  • Helps manage liability by reducing the chance of avoidable accidents 

These benefits are particularly valuable for local authorities, utility providers, and contractors looking to deliver safer infrastructure while meeting rising public expectations around safety and professionalism. 

A bespoke safety grille
Bespoke Safety Grilles

Designed for reliability 

At Wrekin, we supply bespoke, factory-fitted safety grilles as an optional extra with our access covers. Available in both hinged and drop-in designs, our grilles are built from hot dip galvanised steel, supported by a ductile iron frame, and comply with the relevant BS EN standards. 

We also offer a range of optional features including locking screws, padlock facilities, securing chains, and custom warning signs—so every solution is tailored to site needs. 

Safety that works for you 

Ultimately, safety grilles are a simple, effective way to make your ironwork safer and more secure. They help protect people, reduce risk, and give asset owners peace of mind that they’re doing the right thing. 

If you’re specifying ironwork for a project, ask about adding a safety grille. It’s a small decision that makes a big difference. 

Want to know more? 

ShapeGet in touch with our technical team to discuss safety grille options that suit your project – or explore our full range of ductile iron access covers and complementary features here

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