Osha Roof Work

Roofing industry fall protection from a to z worker injuries in the construction industry in 2011 the private construction industry experienced 721 fatal work injuries.

Osha roof work. This includes guardrail systems personal fall arrest systems and safety nets. Two hundred and fifty four of the 721 deaths were caused by falls. However under the new rule if the distance is less than 6 feet from the roof edge conventional fall protection systems are required. 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.

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. Exterior egress beyond ladders staff should exercise situation awareness when accessing the roof via hatches elevators penthouse doors scaffolding or power equipment such as scissor lifts and aerial work platforms says brad richardson a certified safety professional and director of environmental health and safety for d. Contractors and employers who perform construction work must comply with standards in 29 cfr 1926 subpart c general safety and health provisions as well as other applicable photo courtesy of acta safety peterson dean roofing. Figuring out how to work on a roof without fall protection is easier than you think.

Roofing work poses safety risks for workers because of the high heights involved in installing roofs. Roofing 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. Each year many roofers sustain injuries and even die on the job in the u s. Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards.

Previously osha stated no safe distance when it came to working on an unprotected roof 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. Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof. Osha regulations for roofing focus on fall protection equipment to help protect the safety and health of roofing workers.