Fall Protection Requirements On Flat Roofs

Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards.

Fall protection requirements on flat roofs.

A variety of fall protection solutions are available and it is important to select a system based on the specific building type roof system or work application. Working six feet or more above lower levels put roofers at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. Fall protection requirements falls are the leading cause of work related injuries and deaths among roofers. Figuring out how to work on a roof without fall protection is easier than you think.

With regard to fall protection requirements applicable to the construction work itself 1926 501 b 10 low slope roofs requires conventional fall protection a combination of a monitoring system and warning line or on roofs of 50 feet or less in width a monitoring system alone i e without a warning line be used. 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. Fall protection osha tagged with. Osha 1910 walking working surfaces standard requirements.

Under the standard. Osha estimates the rule will prevent 29 fatalities and 5 842 injuries annually. For general industry working at a 4 foot height or a low sloped roof osha requires. Cold roofs and warm roofs.

A lack of fall protection damaged fall protection equipment or improper setup will increase their risk of falling from height. Employers are not required to provide fall protection when the work is infrequent and temporary. 6 feet from the edge. A rule prohibiting employees from going within 15 feet of the roof edge without fall protection needs to be implemented and enforced.

There are two types of flat roof. 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. For work more than 15 feet from a roof edge the new rule states that the employer is not required to provide any fall protection provided the work is both infrequent and temporary. Conventional fall protection guardrail fall restraint or fall arrest system is required.

As the single ply roofing association spra points out this type of flat roofing is strong durable completely sealed and usually lasts at least 25 30 years. Small employer with bad osha history receives nearly 230 000 in more osha fines. If you have questions about rooftop fall protection please reach out to us. It is imperative that the designers consider the continuity of the fall protection systems selected throughout campus.