Falls are some of the most common accidents in workplaces, affecting even the most experienced employees. When worksites feature elevated platforms and rooftops, companies must provide their workers with the appropriate fall protection systems and consequent safety training programs. Often, this means adding passive fall protection systems like guard rails, but the type of installation may vary with every worksite. Today, we’re taking a closer look at why non-penetrating safety railings are often the smart choice for today’s roofs.
If you’re reading this, you already know that the U.S. Department of Labor requires employers to provide roof safety under OSHA 1910.28. This guideline states that employers must protect any employee on a walking or working surface four feet above a lower level if there's an unprotected edge. Unless there is a parapet that meets OSHA’s guidelines, we’d wager to say that most rooftops match this description.
In order to meet OSHA roof safety guidelines, you’ll likely need to consider installing passive fall protection equipment like guard rails or active fall protection systems that include safety harnesses, lanyards, and anchorage points.
The exception to the rule: OSHA may exempt you from installing the recommended fall protection systems in these two instances:
In such cases, you’re responsible for developing fall protection mechanisms (think: scaffolds, ladders, or vehicle mounted work platforms) that conform with the conditions outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502. Furthermore, you’ve got to train your workers as described in 29 CFR 1926.503 requirements. Before you do either, however, you’ve got to demonstrate that the OSHA-recommended fall protection solutions are impractical or expose employees to more danger.
In most cases, however, safety railings are a smart way to reach OSHA roof safety standards with ease.
It’s easy to see why guard rails are the most popular fall protection solution for contractors. They take the guess work out of PPE, provide 24/7 fall protection, and cover from as little as one worker to a whole team at once. When making your selection, you’ll want to consider:
OSHA has several laws and regulations regarding the use of guard rails on elevated worksites and rooftops. First, the top rails or equivalent parts should be 42 inches above the working or walking level, with an allowance of plus or minus three inches. Also, the system must withstand a force of at least 200 pounds within two inches of the top edge without failure. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure a smooth surface so no part of the safety railings can snag a workers clothing or equipment.
Many fall protection systems require you to penetrate your roof membrane during installation with drilling, bolts or screws or other materials. This isn’t ideal for many rooftops—often undermining the structural integrity of the roof itself. They can also void certain warranties associated with your roof. Fortunately, many manufacturers make OSHA-compliant non-penetrating guard rails that offer equal levels of protection while mitigating these risks.
Non-penetrating guardrail systems don't need to be physically anchored to the surface. Instead, they utilize counterweight baseplates engineered to ensure the top horizontal rails can withstand a minimum force of 200 pounds. With no drilling or puncturing the roof, there's minimal chance of damage to the building, making them a wise choice to meet OSHA roof safety standards. And, although non-penetrating safety railings are removable, we can categorize them as both permanent and portable.
With a carefully engineered base designs, a good non-penetrating guardrail can sit at one position indefinitely. A cantilever system helps distribute the heavy baseplate weight on your roof evenly without violating OSHA roof safety. But let’s say you need to reconfigure your setup or repurpose your guard rails elsewhere. Since they aren’t fully integrated into your roof, it’s simple to assemble, dismantle, and store for future use. Let’s take a closer look at these benefits:
Any system that involves penetrating the roof compromises the integrity of the construction and risks voiding your roof’s warranty. This ultimately can lead to leaks that cause water damage on the roof structure, which can then spread within your building. With non-penetrating fall protection solutions, the installation stays in place without drilling any surfaces.
Assembling and disassembling non-penetrating guardrail systems involves minimal manual work since the structures are modular. You won't have to drill or weld parts. All you need is to lay the bases in place, insert rails into compatible ports, and secure the structure with pins. It requires few people and effort, ultimately saving time and money.
Another advantage of non-penetrating safety railings is their portability/reusability. If you're handling a progressive construction, you can mount and remove the rails as needed without complications.
Furthermore, you can reuse portable guardrail systems in various parts of the same building or at different worksites. The ability to move and reuse non-penetrating fall protection installations can save your company a lot of money.
Non-Penetrating Guard Rails for Every Roof Top Need
Not every roof design is the same, structurally or aesthetically. Fortunately, if you’re considering going with a non-penetrating design, you’ve got options:
Do you have an upcoming project that may involve rooftop access? BlueWater, an innovator in rooftop safety, manufactures several non-penetrating safety railings to suit every job, and every rooftop. We also provide professional installation services and guidance, so you can rest assured your workers are protected - and you stay within OSHA compliance.
Discover the full suite of roof top safety solutions available from BlueWater.