Abstract: The Safety Manhole Industrial Cover (SMIC) is a lightweight temporary safety manhole cover with a hinged access door made with aluminium or a strong nonferrous composite used when sewerage, storm water, water maintenance or inspections are required. It is a temporary self-ventilating design manhole grate to be used whenever the manhole cover is removed when operations are in progress around the manhole. The slots allow for natural light and airflow and it allows workers below ground to see through to the persons above; and vice versa. The safety manhole cover is designed to eliminate the risk of falling from heights regulations requirement whilst works are carried out near or over sewer openings by allowing the operators to walk freely above ground without having a harness to secure themselves.