Abstract: New covers for access openings or hatches, for example, gauge hatches, are preferably opened and closed on a "hands-free" basis, so that a human operator can carry gauging/sampling or other equipment in his/her hands and still gain access to the container to be monitored. In one embodiment, the hatch cover comprises a housing including a wall surface defining an opening, a first pivot element and a spaced apart second pivot element; a cover member coupled to the first pivot element and adapted to be pivotably movable about the first pivot element relative to the housing, the cover member being sized and adapted to cover the opening when placed in a closed position and to not cover the opening when placed in an opened position; a pin secured to the cover member; and a movable latch element coupled to the second pivot element and adapted to be pivotably movable about the second pivot element relative to the housing.