Fall Protection Requirements For Working On A Flat Roof

Employees or contractors engaged in temporary or infrequent work within 6 to 10 of an unprotected leading roof edge must have proper fall protection.

Fall protection requirements for working on a flat roof.

In construction activities fall protection is required when working at heights greater than 6 feet with some exceptions. A lack of fall protection damaged fall protection equipment or improper setup will increase their risk of falling from height. Working six feet or more above lower levels put roofers at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. Multiple trades roofers as well as mechanical trades are working on a low slope roof.

Osha estimates the rule will prevent 29 fatalities and 5 842 injuries annually. Conventional fall protection guardrail fall restraint or fall arrest system is required. Falls from flat roof edges can be prevented by simple edge protection arrangements a secure double guardrail and toeboard around the edge. Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards.

Does it matter how far from a rooftop edge your employees are working when on a flat roof. Figuring out how to work on a roof without fall protection is easier than you think. Fall protection requirements falls are the leading cause of work related injuries and deaths among roofers. Are the hazards the same.

Where work is of short duration tasks measured in minutes properly secured ladders to access the roof and proper roof ladders may be used. Employers are not required to provide fall protection when the work is infrequent and temporary. For general industry working at a 4 foot height or a low sloped roof osha requires. If you have questions about rooftop fall protection please reach out to us.

Single unit monolithic roofing applied to flat roofs may seem safer to some roof workers but the work is still at height and subject to many similar hazards and safety requirements as sloped roof work. Under 1926 501 b 10 the roofers can comply with fall protection requirements by using a warning line 6 feet from the edge. Simply consider the task you are performing whether that be maintenance construction or really anything else assess the hazards divide by the number of workers and factor in the use of personal protective equipment adjusted for recent revisions to written policy and you will find that without fail. Osha 1910 walking working surfaces standard requirements.

As the leading designer and installer of rooftop fall protection systems in north america flexible lifeline systems has designed hundreds of miles of roof fall protection systems for a. Given the amount of different scenarios it s easy to miss an important detail or at least misinterpret one. Does it matter if you are working 6 feet from the edge verses 50 feet. A rule prohibiting employees from going within 15 feet of the roof edge without fall protection needs to be implemented and enforced.