Rooftop safety measures might seem pretty straightforward when you're working on a standard low slope commercial roof, but not all rooftops are the same. There are a variety of unusual features that may require additional attention and extra equipment to ensure the safety of anyone working on the roof.
Here are a few of those features and what you may need to consider when it comes to choosing safety rails, a lifeline system, or any other rooftop fall protection:
Solar panels decrease the area a worker can access, which may mean he or she is spending more time closer to the edge of the roof. You will want to provide a horizontal lifeline or safety rails depending on the available space between the solar panels and the rooftop’s leading edge. OSHA standard 1910.28 says "the employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following: guardrail systems; safety net systems; or personal fall protection systems, such as personal fall arrest, travel restraint, or positioning systems.”
Because shadows on a solar panel can decrease its efficiency, portable safety rails may be preferable in some situations. These can be placed on the roof when there is work to be done and removed to avoid regularly casting shadows on the panels.
Aside from safety rails and a lifeline system, you need to consider how employees will access the various levels. Stairs or ladders and the associated safety measures will likely be necessary.
OSHA standard 1910.28(b)(9)(i) says, "For fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet (7.3 m) above a lower level, the employer must ensure: each fixed ladder installed before November 19, 2018 is equipped with a personal fall arrest system, ladder safety system, cage, or well.” Remember, however, that changes to OSHA regulations mean the gradual phasing out of cages and wells, relying instead on fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems. Currently, no new ladders can be installed with cages or wells in place of other fall protection equipment.
Portable ladders come with their own guidelines. Ladder access control, like a Ladder Guard, may also be essential, depending upon who is permitted to use the ladders.
Employers must protect workers from tripping over or falling through skylights and other holes in the roof, such as access points. This requires the use of covers and/or additional safety rails around the skylight or hole. OSHA standard 1910.28(b)(3) says, "The employer must ensure: each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: covers; guardrail systems; travel restraint systems; or personal fall arrest systems.”
In snowy conditions, a Skylight Demarcation Kit is useful—though it is not intended as a substitute for screens or covers. Instead, it's an additional safety measure that helps employees clearly identify the corners of the skylight, even if the roof is covered with snow.
Rooftop safety is an important consideration before the green roof is even built, since the addition of soil, drainage layers, and more can impact how certain safety equipment is attached to the roof. Rooftops with gardens might also be accessed more often than a typical roof, since maintaining the plants is an ongoing process. In most cases, safety rails are the best choice since they require no special training to use.
Depending upon the configuration of the roof, a lifeline system may be necessary. Make sure during installation of the anchor point that workers will still be able to access it even as the plants grow taller. If the gardeners aren't used to working at heights, education becomes even more important. Ensure all people who access the rooftop garden are trained in using a horizontal lifeline or any other roof safety equipment they may need.
Working conditions can change depending on what the roof is made of. As always, safety rails and a lifeline system will be important, but you have to consider the impact of the roofing material on an employee's footing and the work he or she does. Some surfaces become especially slippery when wet; others are more likely to get exceptionally hot in the middle of a summer day. On a steep slope, it may be harder to get traction on certain surfaces, even when dry. A reflective surface may require sunglasses, as a worker could be distracted by the glare or while shielding his or her eyes.
Since roofs are built according to what's best for the building, not what's best for the employees who have to work on them, it's essential to make up for any disadvantages with the right rooftop safety equipment.
Rooftop safety isn't one-size-fits-all. Instead, fall safety plans are created on a case-by-case basis with special consideration to the particular roof and its unique features. For more information about fall safety, please contact us. We specialize in OSHA-compliant safety solutions, and we can help you determine which systems are right for your roof based upon the type of roof, the type of work to be completed, and how often employees are required to access the rooftop.