Osha Regulations On Flat Roofs

Figuring out how to work on a roof without fall protection is easier than you think.

Osha regulations on flat roofs.

For work on flat or low sloped roofs osha requires fall protection. Osha regulations for roofing focus on fall protection equipment to help protect the safety and health of roofing workers. Osha regulations for commercial roof inspections. Roofing work poses safety risks for workers because of the high heights involved in installing roofs.

The occupational safety and health administration has set new guidelines for inspecting commercial roofs. Each year many roofers sustain injuries and even die on the job in the u s. Staging on the roof surface to spread the loads safety mesh secured under fragile roofing or skylights. Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards.

Appropriate lifting technique for long roof conforms to as nzs 4389 2015 roof safety mesh is installed by a competent person in a safe manner and in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. There are osha rules defining safe distances from the edge of a roof and the degree of protection required. Simply consider the task you are performing whether that be maintenance construction or really anything else assess the hazards divide by the number of workers and factor in the use of personal protective equipment adjusted for recent revisions to written policy and you will find that without fail. If safety mesh is used ensure it.

These include using roof anchors and safety cords for roof inspections. Always follow a safe system of work using a platform beneath the roof where possible. Osha standards frequently cited during fy 2013 inspections of roofing contractors naics 238160 rank by number of citations issued categories standard 1 duty to have fall protection 1926 501 2 ladder safety 1926 1053 3 fall protection training requirements 1926 503 4 eye and face protection 1926 102 5 general scaffold requirements 1926 451 6. 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.

Subpart m 1926 501 b 10 of the osha construction standards specifies that under certain conditions roofing work can be conducted with a warning line in place 6 feet from the edge and a safety monitoring system. Osha defines what fall protection is required based on how close employees are to the edge of the roof. Single unit monolithic roofing applied to flat roofs may seem safer to some roof workers but the work is still at height and subject to many similar hazards and safety requirements as sloped roof work.