Roof Fall Protection Requirements Osha

The fall protection methods in this fact sheet may not be suitable in all situations.

Roof fall protection requirements osha.

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. I recommend that building owners be cautious about skylights that meet osha safety requirements product literature often states these skylights still need fall protection. In general osha s fall protection standard 1926 501 requires that each employee on a walking working surface horizontal and vertical surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet 1 8 m or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems. Below is a table of frequently cited osha standards for roofing contractors during fy 2013.

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. With the proper fall protection the risk of serious falls can be substantially reduced. When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail safety net or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 502 k and training that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 503 a and c. Requirements of federal fall protection standards under title 29 cfr subpart m fall protection 1926 500 503 employers must assess a workplace to.

This fact sheet highlights some of the hazards workers encounter during re roofing and lists some practical methods employers can use to protect workers who replace roofs. Implementing osha standards can help to assure safe conditions. Two popular fall arrest systems are the stationary option left and the one person carts right that weigh more than 700 pounds and can be moved around a large roof area. Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards.

To meet osha requirements in the construction industry employers must provide workers with fall protection whenever they work at heights of six feet or more above a lower level 29 cfr 1926 501 b 1. What heights for general or rooftop fall protection.