Osha Low Slope Roof Requirements

E slopes 0 12 through 5 12 multiple unit roof coverings.

Osha low slope roof requirements. In regards specifically to roof fall protection the 1910 standard specifies for low slope roofs that when work is performed less than 6 feet 1 6 m from the roof edge the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by a guardrail system safety net system travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system. Equipment that is pulled by an operator who walks backwards shall not be used on a roof having a slope greater than 4 12. Multiple trades roofers as well as mechanical trades are working on a low slope roof. Final paragraph b 13 is a new provision that establishes fall protection requirements when employees perform work on low slope roofs.

This year osha made updates to its walking working surfaces standard for general industry in an effort to bring fall protection requirements more in line with those for the construction industry. If you have an access ladder at the roof edge on a low slope roof conventional fall protection is required from the roof edge to the safe distance for the given situation frequent infrequent. Osha walking working surfaces standard low sloped roof fall protection defined low sloped roof is a term that osha felt it needed to be defined in its walking working surfaces update published november 18 2016. On the other hand this is not specifically addressed so osha may clarify this issue in the future through various compliance documents that another.

Osha has designated three work zones on low slope roofs with unprotected edges that are four feet or more above a lower level. 29 cfr 1926 500 defines low slope roof as a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10 allows the use of a safety monitor on a low slope roof. Under 1926 501 b 10 the roofers can comply with fall protection requirements by using a warning line 6 feet from the edge. A low sloped roof is defined as a slope equal or less than a ratio of 4 to 12.

As a result osha estimates the new rule will prevent 29 worker deaths and 5 842 lost workday injuries each year. Osha estimates the rule will prevent 29 fatalities and 5 842 injuries annually. Employees shall be protected from falls from roofs that are of a height of more than 20 feet by the use of a roof jack system as provided in section 1724 a a. The extremely high danger zone less than six feet from the roof s edge requires one of the following.

One that caught my eye was the new requirements for our maintenance personnel who may be doing work on low sloped roofs defined as a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal. For general industry working at a 4 foot height or a low sloped roof osha requires. Osha 1910 walking working surfaces standard requirements.