Osha Low Slope Roof Requirements

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.

Osha low slope roof requirements.

Low slope roof 4 12 slope or less 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10. Work on low slope roofs. A low sloped roof is defined as a slope equal or less than a ratio of 4 to 12. Roof slope osha defines a low slope roof as a roof having a slope of less than or equal to 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches horizontal length 4 12 1926 500 b definitions.

The extremely high danger zone less than six feet from the roof s edge requires one of the following. 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. This is important because the osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning. Low sloped roof is a term that osha felt it needed to be defined in its walking working surfaces update published november 18 2016.

Slope is calculated by rise over run thus a low sloped roof is a roof where for every 12 units inches feet or meters measured horizontally run the roof does not increase or decrease by. 29 cfr 1926 500 defines low slope roof as a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10 allows the use of a safety monitor on a low slope roof. Osha is adding this provision to make the general industry standard more consistent with the construction fall protection standard which includes a provision addressing roofing work performed on low slope roofs 1926 501 b 10. Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems.

Osha has designated three work zones on low slope roofs with unprotected edges that are four feet or more above a lower level. The roofing safety zones. Employers must provide the right equipment employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job including the right kinds of ladders scaffolds and safety gear. Steep roof above 4 12 slope 29 cfr 1926 501 b 11.

Osha walking working surfaces standard low sloped roof fall protection defined. As explained below the answer is no.