Across industries, one of the biggest safety concerns for facility owners and managers is fall protection and it should be yours as well. And of particular concern is protecting employees as they traverse and work on the roof or rooftop equipment. Installing adequate rooftop safety equipment is essential to protect workers and to help you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations. This guide will help you design and build the ultimate roof safety system for your building so you can rest assured your employees and your company are protected.
OSHA Requirements for a Roof Fall Protection Systems
Per OSHA 1910.28, you have a duty to provide fall protection whenever your employees are working at a height of 4 feet or more. However, OSHA does not specify what type of roof safety equipment you need to avoid costly fines for non-compliance. That's up to you to decide based on your facility's roof and your fall protection needs.
Evaluating Your Rooftop Fall Protection Needs
The first step in building the ultimate roof fall protection system is understanding your facility's rooftop, the tasks performed, and the hazards that are present. For this important part of the process, you're going to need the assistance of a qualified safety expert as well as the cooperation of your employees. The procedure will look something like this:
Perform a thorough inspection of your industrial rooftop, noting any potential fall hazards.
Interview employees, specifically asking about fall hazards and other safety concerns.
Examine the rooftop safety equipment and procedures already in place.
Determine how to enhance and improve your roof safety system.
Install new rooftop safety equipment and devices to protect workers.
The main reason for installing fall protection equipment on your rooftop is to protect workers from falls. Secondarily, you also want to ensure that your organization is compliant with OSHA regulations. To accomplish these goals, you must evaluate your facility to determine which fall protection devices are most appropriate for your application. You must also ensure that any safety equipment you use is compliant with OSHA 1910.29. Some of the most trusted options include:
Rooftop Guardrails
This is, by far, the most common type of rooftop fall protection system used on industrial facilities. Guardrails for rooftops are extremely versatile and they may be installed in a number of areas including, around the perimeter of the roof, at uneven rooftop surfaces, around rooftop machinery and equipment, around roof openings, and at ladder entrances.
Safety Gates
In addition to guardrails, an effective roof safety system should include self-closing safety gates at key entrance/exit points. This type of gate allows workers easy, hands-free access to the area and warning personnel of fall hazards ahead. Safety gates can also be used to restrict access to areas on the rooftop that are particularly dangerous or sensitive.
Ladder Safety Equipment
Whether your roof access ladder is internal or external, it presents a fall hazard that needs to be addressed with proper equipment. A safety railing and gate at the ladder entrance is a common, OSHA-compliant option. A ladder safety system that includes a carrier, safety sleeve, connectors, and body harness is also essential to protect workers as they climb and descend the ladder.
Skylight Guards
Skylights are among the most dangerous places on any rooftop. They're also an easy hazard to overlook by a busy employee. Skylight guardrails can provide OSHA-compliant protection for these vulnerable spots. Another option you may wish to consider are skylight screens which are installed over a skylight to prevent someone from walking on or otherwise compromising it.
Roof Hatch Protection
When a roof hatch is open, it exposes workers to a potential fall hazard. It also poses a risk of falling objects to workers inside the hatch. A roof hatch guardrail with a self-closing gate allows for easy access to the opening without leaving any part of the opening exposed. This is an effective and common form of OSHA-compliant fall protection for roof hatches and other rooftop access points.
Personal Fall Protection Equipment
On low-slope roofs, guardrails, skylight guards, and roof hatch protection are generally enough. But, on sloped roofs, or whenever a safety rail cannot be used, active fall protection must be incorporated. For example, employees may be issued personal protection equipment such as a body harness, lanyard, and lifeline for use on the rooftop.
Installing OSHA-compliant fall protection equipment on your industrial rooftop will provide protection for employees, contractors, and visitors. To make a truly safe workplace, you will also want to:
Provide Employee Safety Training
No matter what type of fall protection equipment you decide to install on your facility's rooftop, safety must be a company-wide priority. That begins with providing safety training to every newly hired employee and continuing to provide on-going safety training at regular intervals. It's vital that employees are evaluated frequently and that safety violations are addressed and corrected immediately.
Perform Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Once you've installed rooftop safety equipment and trained your workers, you can forget about it, right? Not so fast. No matter how good your fall protection equipment is, it must be regularly inspected and maintained. Any worn, broken, or defective fall protection equipment should be removed from service immediately and replaced. Even the ideal system still requires expert attention.
There is nothing more important than providing a safe workplace for your employees. Not only is it the right thing to do, it's also your obligation under the law. If you fail to heed OSHA guidelines, you face stiff fines and penalties. If someone gets hurt, you may also have to pay medical and other expenses. To avoid all the costs and hassles, install an OSHA-compliant roof safety system, develop a company-wide safety plan, and regularly inspect your safety equipment.
Not sure what roof fall protection systems are right for you? Feel free to contact BlueWater today. One of our highly trained safety experts will be happy to discuss your roof fall protection needs.
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