An industrial rooftop holds dangers for workers. The most obvious rooftop safety hazard, is of course, an unprotected leading edge. But this is hardly the only fall safety concern that exists. There are several openings in your rooftop that present a fall hazard according to OSHA. It is essential that you address these hazards and provide the proper roof safety systems. The following are answers to some of the most common questions about fall protection equipment like guardrail systems to help you understand how to protect your workers around rooftop openings and stay compliant with OSHA regulations.
According to OSHA 1910.28, employers have the duty to provide fall protection whenever employees are working 4 feet or more above a lower level in general industry settings. Clearly, the leading edge of your commercial rooftop meets this minimum requirement. But this is not the only area you need to be concerned with. Roof holes and openings must also be specifically addressed to ensure your safety measures meet OSHA guidelines.
When you think about a roof hole, the first things that may come to mind are skylights, access hatches, and ladder entrances. What you may not realize is that roof holes don't have to be large to be a fall hazard. In fact, OSHA defines a hole as: "A gap or void, 2 or more inches in its least dimension in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface."
The best way to identify the potential hazards on your industrial rooftop is to perform a thorough roof inspection. It's vital to identify every hole, from skylights and ladder entrances down to 2" hole in the roof. Understand that some holes may not be immediately identifiable under a roof membrane. It is imperative that inspection personnel are provided with adequate fall protection equipment to keep them safe.
You might think that the bigger fall hazards mentioned previously are more important than holes that are a mere 2" in diameter or seam gap 2” wide. The truth is, even a small hole can present a trip and fall hazard. Small openings may also allow items to fall into the space below, causing injury. It is imperative then, to find and address any roof opening, regardless of its size.
Once you've identified the holes and openings that present a fall hazard on your rooftop you must decide what type of fall protection is appropriate. Remember that OSHA does not specify what roof safety systems you must use to eliminate the fall hazard. However, the most commonly used industrial roof safety systems are safety rails and self-closing gates.
If you choose to install guardrails around roof holes, it is imperative that they meet OSHA's strict guidelines. This includes requirements for height, strength, and user-friendly design:
The height of safety rails must be 42" (plus or minus 3") above the walking/working surface.
Top rails of metal guardrails must be able to withstand either a downward or outward force of 200 lbs. without fail.
The mid-rail of guardrail systems must be strong enough to handle 150 lbs. of downward or outward force without failing.
Metal guardrails must be smooth, and free of snags that could catch workers' clothing and equipment or cause punctures, cuts, and scratches.
Guardrail systems are one of the most common types of passive fall protection on rooftops for a good reason, they're very versatile. In fact, they can be deployed to protect a variety of areas on your roof on a temporary or permanent basis including around:
Roof hatches
Ladder entrances
Skylights
Any exposed hole 2" or more in diameter
Roof hatches provide access to the roof from the building's interior, which is convenient. When closed, a roof hatch protects the opening and prevents workers or objects from falling into the opening. An open hatch presents a fall hazard since there are three sides of the hole exposed. You must provide protection such as a roof hatch guardrail and safety gate around the perimeter of the roof hatch.
Remember that skylights aren't designed to hold people or equipment, and they present a severe fall hazard. When the skylight is difficult to see, such as when a worker is carrying something or when the skylight is covered with snow, it's even more dangerous. The right safety equipment to protect workers from fall hazards at skylights includes skylight safety rails and skylight screens that comply with OSHA standards.
OSHA requires that every employee is protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system around the exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole. A self-closing gate that opens away from the ladder entrance or an offset must be used to control access to the opening.
When workers are on your commercial rooftop, it's your obligation to protect them from falls. That means evaluating your rooftop and then deciding which types of roof fall protection are appropriate. It's imperative that you rely on experts with rooftop fall safety experience to keep your workers safe. It's also vital that you remain compliant with all local and federal regulations to keep your company safe. BlueWater Manufacturing is an industry leader in OSHA-compliant roof safety systems and devices. Contact us today to learn more about your obligation to keep workers safe around roof hatches, skylights, and roof holes. Our roof safety experts will be happy to assist you with choosing the right roof fall protection for every application.
