Roof Edge Fall Protection Osha

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.

Roof edge fall protection osha.

Osha and roof hatch guardrails osha considers a roof hatch to be a hole in a roof osha 29 cfr 1910 28 b 3. Implement safe work practices to reduce the possibility of falls. A common way to protect a hatch is with a roof hatch safety railing which maintains a constant protective barrier around the hatch. Is erected not less than 6 feet 1 8 m from the roof edge for work that is both temporary and infrequent or not less than 15 feet 4 6 m for other work.

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. Subsequently there are a variety of safety requirements for protection from falling in the construction roofing industry. If the drop to the lower level is more than 4 feet there needs to be fall protection. To report an emergency file a complaint with osha or ask a safety and health question call 1 800 321 6742 osha.

Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among roofers. When where you need fall protection for unprotected sides and edges on low slope roofs osha 1910 28 b 1 i requires employees to be protected from falling when the walking working surface is 4 feet or more above the lower level by one of the following. The guard shall extend not less than 30. Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof alert.

Common violations under this standard include failure to provide protection from falling near unprotected sides or edges and on both low slope and steep roofs. Osha 29 cfr 1926 501 fall protection general requirements is consistently the most violated osha standard in construction. Less than 6 feet from the roof edge. Osha defines what fall protection is required based on how close employees are to the edge of the roof.

In addition the code continues to specifically address fall protection near mechanical equipment which is where the edge accufit safety railing was being placed to protect requirements stating guards shall be provided where various components that require service are located within 10 feet of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches 762mm above the floor roof or grade below. 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. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly.