Osha Roof Protection

Understand the requirements of 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.

Osha roof protection.

Standard interpretations fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof alert. Occupational safety and health administration 200 constitution ave nw washington dc 20210 800 321 6742 osha tty www osha gov. Osha safety standards especially for roof fall protection can be a source of confusion for many industrial companies. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly.

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. Reducing falls during residential construction. 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. A steep roof is one with a slope greater than 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal length.

Osha s 29 cfr 1926 501 includes a general rule. 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. There are fall protection systems available that can provide roofers the flexibility they need during demolition and roof installation. Employers must provide roofers fall protection equipment that meets osha requirements whenever they work 6 feet or more above a lower level.

This general rule requires the use of guardrail systems safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems as protection from falling 6 feet or more to a lower level. 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. Lay headers sheets of roofing or other materials no closer than 5 feet inside the edges of the roof and parallel to the roofline.

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. Re roofing fact sheet osha fs 3503 2012 english.