Osha Flat Roof Fall Protection

Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof alert.

Osha flat roof fall protection.

Two osha standards can apply 29 cfr 1910 which governs general industry safety standards and 29 cfr 1926 which governs construction sites specifically. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph b of this section each employee engaged in roofing activities on low slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems safety net systems personal fall arrest systems or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system warning line system and safety net system or warning line system and personal fall arrest system or warning line system and. With regard to fall protection requirements applicable to the construction work itself 1926 501 b 10 low slope roofs requires conventional fall protection a combination of a monitoring system and warning line or on roofs of 50 feet or less in width a monitoring system alone i e without a warning line be used. When the fall protection measures listed above are not used mark the edges of the flat roof with headers and warning lines to notify workers of potential fall hazard areas using the following guidelines.

Osha s fall protection standards at 29 cfr 1926 subpart m to protect workers exposed to falls six feet or more above a lower level. If work on steep roofs involving application of hot or cold systems as sublayer osha would permit the use of the more flexible fall protection systems specified for low slope roofs warning lines and safety monitor or safety monitor alone for roofs 50 feet or less in width or other alternative systems. If there is a fall risk it needs to be addressed. Osha s fall protection standard for construction 29 cfr part 1926 subpart m beginning at 1926 500 generally requires fall protection when there is a fall distance of 6 feet or more.

To report an emergency file a complaint with osha or ask a safety and health question call 1 800 321 6742 osha. Implement safe work practices to reduce the possibility of falls. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph b of this section each employee engaged in roofing activities on low slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems safety net systems personal fall arrest systems or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system warning line system and safety net system or warning line system and personal fall arrest system or warning line system and.

Osha safety standards especially for roof fall protection can be a source of confusion for many industrial companies. Due to routine maintenance on the osha website some pages may be temporarily unavailable. Lay headers sheets of roofing or other materials no closer than 5 feet inside the edges of the roof and parallel to the roofline.