How to properly open and close a manhole

How to open a manhole the right way, the easy way

[@phoenixxfyr]

That is a GREAT way to step or fall INTO a manhole... or injure your back... To SAFELY close the lid (ours weigh 210 lbs.) 1. Stand to one side pick the point on your side of the lid directly opposite the point across from you that is resting on the edge of the manhole or at the point where you want to pivot the lid. 2. Set your hook under the edge and swing your side over the hole until most of it covers the hole. Drop it down and release your hook while there is still some momentum. With practice most of the time, you can get it to drop and slide right into place in one smooth move! 3. Push the high side down and in with the ball of your foot (heel resting on the ground), to make it drop into place, or lift from a pick hole on the low side and pull into place if it won't slide easily.

[@phoenixxfyr]

Issac, While it is true that the lids are not supposed to be able to fall in, and they shouldn't unless cracked or excessively corroded. They can and will flip up easily. By the way I have retrieved at least a dozen lids from the bottom of manholes in the last 10 years. Usually they cracked and broke into 2 or more pieces.

[@AltrootGaming]

"just step on it and it'll close" you forget we are human, someone will fuck up after seeing this vid.

[@mshelton26]

Badger Compan

[@ParanoidBurritos]

Who else here because you're trying to find a spot to hide from impending nuclear war?

[@cahg3871]

As a retired Public Works employee,I approve of this message.

[@duppe.]

had to use this guide to save my skateboard ! Thanks!!

[@lostNurIZE]

That’s why I searched the video. Thanks for giving me hope.

[@bryansims9969]

According to NIOSH standards, no one should be opening a manhole cover with just a hook. Dragging is 30% of ones weight. Even a 300 pound individual would be limited to 90 pounds. A 210 pound manhole cover lifted, could be listed as about 140 pounds which is 2/3rds its weight (deeming part is resting on rim). This exceeds a one person lift limit of 50 pounds, requiring 2 or more to lift.

[@MrCedricPeterson]

You saying people can’t lift 50 pounds?! Lol ohkkayyy buddy

[@bryansims9969]

@@MrCedricPeterson Never said that, I am saying it is according to NIOSH standards as evidence of documented worker injuries.

[@psychwardsandSCENE]

​@@bryansims9969 your first mistake was trusting NIOSH lol

[@tevincurry1521]

He’s right nice way I’ll give dude that but you could still do this with 2 people

[@Engineer9736]

I went down a weird KZbin algorithm rabbithole… I watched 1 video about a dancing manhole cover, then got adviced to watch 10 more dancing manhole cover videos, and now it went into stage 2; Opening and closing of manhole covers 🤪

[@zarrow50]

Some times the lid is jammed in. Then you might need to tap round it with a hammer, making sure not to crack the lid. You may need a crowbar to too lever it about abit.

[@Eastsidegeorgiaboy]

Try to use ear protection if you can, when hammering on the MH lids. It's easier said than done.

[@bigdman1989]

Actually to properly open a manhole you need to first set up a safety barrier so no one who is walking by falls in. Then you need to test the atmosphere to make sure it is safe. And then use a cantilever. Not a hook... never pull. Lift with legs.

[@west947]

Hell no let them fall in

[@BeGelly]

@SgtPiggie good luck telling that to OSHA

[@Eastsidegeorgiaboy]

How are you gonna test before you open the manhole, genius? 90% of MHs, at least here in Georgia, as well as in Arkansas, are solid, with no holes and no way to get a probe inside the hole. You have to open it first. Also, you only test if someone is going inside the MH. Anyone going in a manhole is also supposed to winch up. There is plenty of work that gets done, that doesn't require a person to enter the manhole.

[@DaBLiDi]

thank you for such a great video you actually just helped me at work today lol. locating this stuff is not easy

[@michaelexman5474]

it is really a long way down there i found one kinda part way open around here someplace i tried to close it an those things can trash your back. i covered it it was in a walking ish area if you steped on that you are at least going up to your arm pits and a steel plate is comeing up to meat tour face!!!

[@arashkamangir331]

Would have been nice if you were pointing the camera at what you were doing at the most critical part

[@takanamoon9907]

He recorded it himself off his phone. Of course it wouldn't have been stable.

[@arashkamangir331]

@@takanamoon9907 I understand that. Problem is I didn’t get the info I needed from the video. Just as good as not making it at all. Get it?

[@MrCedricPeterson]

@@arashkamangir331 precisely

[@votago]

I lost my croc in the sewer. Gonna get it out

[@Hybert_]

nice

[@darrellw82]

Actually you want to use a Cantilever hook.

[@effingel]

Can these be opened from inside the sewer? If so how?

[@west947]

I'm a man hole guy and I had some one do that and cut there fingers off the way 252 pounds.

[@Roxaswastaken]

@endisneer Why stay out of the undercity?

[@Roxaswastaken]

@endisneer Lmao 😂😂

[@Eastsidegeorgiaboy]

Sure. If you think you can lift between 150-300lbs, and flip it over or loose. Also, hopefully the lid isn't corroded shut, or wedged.

[@Eastsidegeorgiaboy]

@@west947 depends on size and material. Standard is 50-85, with some as light as 20 lbs(Standard catch basin lid). Communication manholes, like those for AT&T, etc, are the ones that tend to be 200 or more pounds. I have opened very few sewer manholes that were 200 lbs or more. Most hae been 50-100 with the heaviest ones being around 150.

[@Eastsidegeorgiaboy]

Not all manholes lids have openings/lips like that.

[@kctyphoon]

The critics in the comment section have never opened a bell system lid in their lives. That much is obvious.

[@phoenixxfyr]

Oh Yeah...and don't forget to lift with your legs...not pull with your back.

[@TylerDeBoy]

What do your manholes weigh 5 pounds? Lmao. Ours have holes in the middle and are solid 1.5 inch steel

[@g.t.l.8952]

Bell Systems manhole covers weigh on average 250 lbs.

[@squirrellysquirrels1167]

Real life open to measure down. 4 foot dig to top. Dead lift heaviest dot makes. Someone else attempts to reset when in at the truck with snacks. Hear screaming... A dislocated shoulder and broken leg... Guess I shouldn't have put it top side!

[@thermanmendoza8839]

Does not work when cover is froze to manhole neck

[@zarrow50]

maybe use two keys? As for keys, where did you get yours from?

[@TylerDeBoy]

Two keys isnt necessary. That’s how you get people laughing at Public Works lol

[@user-bq8cy6cb9x]

laughing better than chronic back pain..man up tyler

[@hardt2060]

Ej wiecie , ze tam rapuje czuux? XDD

[@aga_gorna]

Wiem XDD

[@Lordusiek]

Tak

[@dalee.goodwin3913]

Is that for city water or fiber optic?

[@brianleeper5737]

It's for rotting, decrepit copper phone lines.

[@BrianHolder]

No safety gloves.. tisk tisk lol

[@TylerDeBoy]

And where is that harness at? Lol

[@MoonkaiYT]

Lol isn’t that manhole cover fucking heavy? 😭😭

[@lufferly4747]

Ok

[@DeniseLaFranceCDNpainter]

How do you open it from inside the sewer?

[@Engineer9736]

Ask the Ninja Turtles

[@modygimnazjalista6773]

Byr Byr bam tak jak imgram

[@urbexmania9793]

Tam jest czuux xD

[@Lordusiek]

No