Osha Low Slope Roof

Slope is calculated by rise over run thus a low sloped roof is a roof where for every 12 units inches feet or meters measured horizontally run the roof does not increase or decrease by.

Osha low slope roof. Employers must provide the right equipment employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job including the right kinds of ladders scaffolds and safety gear. This is important because the osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning line systems and safety monitors. See 1926 501 b 2 12 and 13 because of feasibility limitations the standard permits the use of a warning line in combination with other measures instead of conventional fall protection guardrail systems personal fall arrest systems or safety net systems to keep employees away from an edge. Low slope roof 4 12 slope or less 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10.

Final paragraph b 13 is a new provision that establishes fall protection requirements when employees perform work on low slope roofs. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph b of this section each employee engaged in roofing activities on low slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems safety net systems personal fall arrest systems or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system warning line system and safety net system or warning line system and personal fall arrest system or warning line system and. Low sloped roof is a term that osha felt it needed to be defined in its walking working surfaces update published november 18 2016. Work on low slope roofs.

Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems. Aerial lifts may be used to transport personnel so long as the requirements in 29 cfr 1926 453 which cover aerial lifts are met. 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. Osha has designated three work zones on low slope roofs with unprotected edges that are four feet or more above a lower level.

Osha is adding this provision to make the general industry standard more consistent with the construction fall protection standard which includes a provision addressing roofing work performed on low slope roofs 1926 501 b 10. The extremely high danger zone less than six feet from the roof s edge requires one of the following. A low sloped roof is defined as a slope equal or less than a ratio of 4 to 12. Steep roof above 4 12 slope 29 cfr 1926 501 b 11.

Osha defines a low slope roof as a roof having a slope of less than or equal to 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches horizontal length 4 12 1926 500 b definitions. Osha walking working surfaces standard low sloped roof fall protection defined.