Your industrial facility's rooftop and the equipment it holds (such as the HVAC and filtration systems) require regular maintenance. However, unexpected repairs are also something you’ll have to deal with, and it is vital that you do whatever you can to protect workers on our rooftop from falls whenever any maintenance is needed. While guardrails are the most popular roof safety systems used on industrial roofs, they aren't the only choice. You may also want to incorporate other leading edge fall protection equipment like a warning line to keep workers safe and ensure your OSHA compliance. But when and why should you use a warning line system?
Your employees have the right to work in a safe environment and it's your responsibility to make sure that your facility is secure inside and out. Rooftop fall protection is imperative, even if you rarely have workers on the roof. While passive fall protection like a guardrail system is the typical solution, rails may not be the best fit for your facility. Still, you have to provide fall protection that meets OSHA guidelines to stay compliant. Warning lines may be most appropriate when:
A guardrail is not feasible
Work is temporary and infrequent
Unplanned emergency repairs
Installation of rooftop equipment
Performing seasonal rooftop cleanup duties
Maintaining a safe work environment means eliminating and managing as many fall hazards as possible. OSHA does not state that you have to use a specific type of fall protection equipment in a given situation. It does, however, provide guidelines on how and when to use roof safety systems. With a low-slope roof, there are several options for leading edge fall protection equipment that meet OSHA standards including:
A guardrail system
A warning line and guardrail system
A warning line and safety net
A warning-line and personal fall-arrest equipment
A warning line with a safety monitoring system
A durable warning line can be a valuable tool in your leading edge fall protection arsenal. When it's not feasible to install a guardrail system, or when the work is infrequent and temporary on the roof, a warning line may be the best choice. Be aware that a warning line won't stop a worker from falling, but it will warn them that there is a fall hazard ahead. To provide adequate leading edge protection, warning lines must meet the criteria in OSHA 1926.502:
All warning lines must be flagged with high-visibility material at no more than 6 foot intervals.
The rope, wire, or chain must be no less than 34 inches at lowest point (including sag) from the walking/working surface and no more than 39 inches at its highest point.
With the rope, wire, or chain attached, stanchions shall be capable of resisting a force of 16 pounds applied horizontally against the stanchion without tipping over.
The rope, wire, or chain shall have a minimum tensile strength of 500 pounds.
The line shall be attached at each stanchion so that pulling the line between stanchions will not result in slack being taken up in neighboring sections before the stanchion tips over.
If you've evaluated your rooftop and determined that it's not possible to install a guardrail system, or that you want an additional layer of protection accompanying a guardrail, a warning line may be the best bet. To be effective, your warning line must be installed properly and you must inform employees of your expectations. OSHA says:
The warning line must be placed around every side of the roof work area.
When mechanical equipment is not being used, the warning line shall be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge.
When mechanical equipment is in use warning lines must be installed no less than 6 feet from the roof edge parallel to the direction of the equipment operation.
A durable warning line must not be installed less than 10 feet perpendicular to the direction of equipment operation.
An access path constructed of two warning lines must be used for access points, handling and storage areas, and hoisting areas. A wire, rope, chain or other barricade must be used to block this access off when not in use.
You must have a policy in place that prohibits workers from going beyond the warning line unless performing necessary duties and using appropriate fall protection equipment.
In addition to providing fall protection for the leading edge of your rooftop, warning lines can be used to set up a protected zone for workers. Whether the area is used to store supplies and equipment or to perform specific duties, the warning line helps maintain a safe perimeter so workers can move freely without encountering a fall hazard. Warning lines can also be installed around equipment to maintain a secure area. Because a warning line system is fast and easy to set up, they are ideal for temporary work such as roof repairs or maintenance.
Although a warning line may be an acceptable form of fall protection according to OSHA in many situations, it is not always the right choice.When it comes to OSHA rooftop fall protection, OSHA 1910.28(b)(13)(i) states that: "When work is performed less than 6 feet (1.6 m) from the roof edge, the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by roof safety systems such as a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system." In these instances, where maintenance or other activity is being performed 6ft or closer to the edge, only guardrails should be used. Beyond 6ft, a warning line system can be employed if work is infrequent or temporary.
When it comes to protecting your employees, you cannot leave anything to chance. Rely on the fall protection experts at BlueWater for OSHA compliant roof safety systems. Contact us to consult one of our qualified safety experts to discuss your rooftop fall protection needs today. We'll be happy to discuss your situation and we'll offer advice to help you determine if warning lines are suitable for your application.
