Spanning tens of thousands of square feet and often having a low slope angle, a commercial rooftop is a large and specialized area of the workplace where it’s always a challenge to keep workers safe. In recent years, advancements in industrial roofing technology have made commercial roofs more energy efficient while also adding to their longevity. Even so, regular maintenance and repairs are necessary to ensure the roof continues to protect the building and its contents. Your rooftop HVAC, filtration, or security equipment also needs to be serviced regularly, which means people need to get on the roof on a regular basis. It's vital that you provide OSHA-compliant roof fall protection for your employees, contractors, and any visitors that access the roof.
According to OSHA 1910.28, every employer has a duty to provide fall protection and falling object protection for their employees. This applies whenever workers are exposed to a difference of 4 feet or more in height from one level to the next. Clearly then, you need to provide adequate fall protection for anyone who accesses the rooftop. To meet OSHA guidelines regarding fall protection for roofs you must:
Install fall protection like a guardrail around the perimeter of the roof,
Protect workers from falling into rooftop openings like skylights and hatches,
Use safety rails to provide fall protection for ladder openings,
Provide personal fall protection equipment like a harness and lanyard when guardrails are not feasible or when added fall protection is necessary
Industrial roofs are constructed from a variety of materials and provide a location for many technology systems, depending upon the geographic location as well as the type of facility. Commercial roofing materials offer specific protection from extreme heat or cold, intense sun, wind, as well as foot traffic. The most advanced roofing materials include:
TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
EPDM Roofing (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
Liquid Applied Roofing Membranes
Metal Roofing Material
Green Roofs Incorporating Plants
Solar Panel Roofing
One of the biggest concerns for installing a safety railing or other common fall protection systems is how they can damage the rooftop. Puncturing a roof membrane or bolting fall protection equipment to metal roofing material can allow moisture to get in, damaging the roof and creating a potential fall hazard. Green roofs are often heavy, which can weaken a roof, making it dangerous for workers who need to work on equipment. Finally, solar panel roofing can be fragile and pose a severe trip hazard for hurried workers. It's vital that you evaluate your roofing material to determine how it affects the safety of workers and equipment.
Per OSHA guidelines, an industrial rooftop needs fall protection around the leading edge, at uneven surfaces, skylights, roof access hatches, ladder entrances, and any other hole more than 2" in diameter. Protecting vulnerable HVAC equipment, filtration systems, security and surveillance equipment is also imperative. One of the most common fall protection systems for roofs is a guardrail system. Per OSHA 1910.29 (b), guardrails must meet the following criteria:
Top railings must be 42" tall (plus or minus 3") and capable of withstanding 200 lbs. of downward or outward force.
Mid rails must be at least 21" high and able to handle 150 lbs. of downward or outward force without failing.
Guardrails must be made of material that will not snag worker's clothing or equipment, or cause a worker's skin to be pierced, lacerated, or scratched.
The wrong system certainly can. With traditional fall protection systems for roofs, the system is attached directly to the roof using bolts. Modern roofing materials like liquid applied roofing membranes are designed to create a barrier between the roof and the elements. Whenever you break the surface of the roofing material, it can create a host of issues, including moisture leaks, which can lead to costly damage. In addition, you'll need to ensure the safety railing is regularly inspected and well-maintained to remain OSHA-compliant without harming or interfering with your rooftop technologies, adding to the long-term costs. However, a portable guardrail avoids these issues and can provide protection for your workers while maintaining your roof's integrity.
The main reason guardrails are a popular form of fall protection systems for roofs covered in TPO, PVC, EPDM Roofing, metal, and the other materials mentioned here is their versatility. Guardrails can be used to protect a wide range of fall hazards and this is especially true for a portable safety railing which can be moved and reconfigured in moments. Other benefits of using portable railings include:
Even portable guardrails must meet the guidelines set forth in OSHA 1910.29 (b) as noted above to ensure your company is compliant. Like a traditional guardrail system, portable railings must be at least 42" tall, capable of handling 200 lbs. of pressure on the top rail and 150 lbs. on the mid rail and be constructed of snag-free materials.
Unlike a traditional guardrail system, you don't need to drill holes into your sealed roof membrane or metal. Instead of being attached directly to the roof, portable, non-penetrating guardrail systems incorporate cast iron bases that hold metal railings to form a strong guardrail.
One of the most convenient things about a portable guardrail is that they can be installed quickly. In fact, it only takes a couple of hours for two installers to set up an entire safety railing system on a rooftop. This is a major benefit when urgent work needs to be performed on the roof in a timely manner. As your fall protection needs change, it's also quick and easy to reconfigure the system accordingly.
With a well-designed portable guardrail, you don't need a single tool to install it. The railings of the guardrail system are connected and secured with a strong locking mechanism to the cast iron bases. Not only does this make installation easier; it also means workers don't need to carry heavy tool bags up to the roof. It also eliminates the worry of falling tools hurting people below.
When you read the word “portable” in association with guardrails, the word “temporary” may come to mind. And, indeed, you can use a portable rail system as a short-term roof fall protection solution, like if you need to close off an area where roof repairs are being made. However, it’s common to use a non-penetrating, portable roof guardrail system permanently on the roof to provide full time fall protection.
Not sure if a portable guardrail system is appropriate for your EDM, TPO, PVC, metal, or EPDM roof? Contact the roof fall protection experts at BlueWater today to learn more about fall protection systems for advanced industrial roof materials, including non-penetrating portable guardrail systems. We will be happy to help you determine what OSHA-compliant fall protection equipment and systems are most appropriate for your roof type, size, shape, and slope.
