Roof Safety Equipment: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Workers Safe

“Your employees’ safety and health are the keys to the success of your business” – H. W. Heinrich.

As an employer, keeping your workers safe should always be a top priority. Their safety becomes even more important when they are working from height. There are a lot of potential hazards when working on a roof. This is why it’s imperative to have the right safety equipment in place to prevent injuries or worse, fatalities. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most essential roof safety equipment. Plus, we will cover topics you need to know to keep your workers safe when working from height.

Safety Background

After the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed back in 1970, Congress established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This regulatory agency provides robust federal standards aimed at making workplaces safe and healthy for employees. The primary focus of the organization is to promote safety in the workplace. They accomplish this by crafting and implementing regulations designed to protect workers from hazards. Other areas of focus include training staff on proper processes, encouraging actions that prevent workplace-related injuries, and monitoring adherence with established protocols. Additionally, OSHA provides resources like education and outreach/training materials. They encourage employers to establish safety programs as well as other activities that help improve working conditions throughout the US.

Specifically, OSHA has established detailed regulations that focus on the following areas related to roof safety:

Fall Protection: OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection for employees who are working on roofs that are 4 feet or more above lower levels. In general, fall protection systems can include guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems and more.

Hazard Communication: OSHA requires employers to train their workers on the hazards of working on roofs. This includes potential hazards related to roof access, roof materials, and roof equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): OSHA requires employers to provide and verify the use of appropriate PPE. Hard hats, safety glasses, and non-slip footwear are some examples.

Ladder Safety: OSHA requires employers to certify that ladders used for roof access are in good condition, properly secured, and the right size for the job.

Heat Illness Prevention: OSHA has also established guidelines for preventing heat illness in workers who are working on roofs in hot weather.

Overall, OSHA’s regulations help to ensure that roof workers are protected from falls, hazards, and other safety risks. Employers who do not comply with OSHA’s regulations may face penalties and fines. You can learn more about OSHA inspections by reading this blog.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is crucial in preventing injuries on the rooftop. Workers should wear non-slip shoes, hard hats, and high-visibility clothing to make sure they are visible to others. Gloves and eye protection are also very important.

Fall Protection Systems

Fall protection systems include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. Guardrails are barriers that are placed around the edge of a roof, holes or skylights to prevent workers from accidentally falling. Safety nets can also be placed under the work area to catch workers, in the event of a fall. Personal fall arrest systems consist of a harness and lanyard that are attached to a secure anchor point on the roof.

Warning Lines

Warning lines are complimentary to guardrail systems, and are placed around the perimeter of a rooftop as an additional precautionary measure against falls. They are typically made out of rope or cable and should be installed at least 15 feet away from any leading edge or skylight opening under OSHA’s 1910 General Industry standards. Their primary job is to provide awareness of nearby fall hazards for workers to perform their duties safely. Warning lines also come in handy under OSHA’s 1926 Construction standards, when setting up ladders or scaffolding, or performing roofing work, as they establish designated areas for workers where they can work freely in a distinct, delineated portion of the walking-working surface without additional fall protection equipment on a rooftop structure.

Access Equipment

Access equipment, such as ladders and scaffolds, should be used to safely reach the rooftop. Workers should be trained on how to use this equipment properly, and inspect it before each use to make sure it is in good working condition.

Weather Protection

Workers on rooftops should also have protection from the weather. This may include shade structures, umbrellas, or shelter from rain or snow. OSHA recommends that workers should stop working and seek shelter when they hear thunder. Remember, lightning can strike even if it is not raining. Work can be resumed 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.

Safety equipment is crucial for the protection of workers on rooftops. Employers should make certain that their employees have the necessary equipment to prevent falls and protect them from inclement weather. It is essential to train employees on the proper use of equipment and conduct inspections before each use. This helps to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition.

What is the Difference Between an Active & Passive Fall Protection System?

Passive and active fall protection are the two main systems when it comes to preventing workers falling from height.

Active fall protection relies on the workers to actively engage with the system. This includes using harnesses, lanyards, and anchors to secure themselves while working at height. This type of system requires ongoing training to ensure employees use the equipment correctly and regularly inspect and maintain it.

Passive fall protection, on the other hand, consists of physical barriers and structures that are put in place to prevent falls. Examples of passive fall protection include guardrails, hatchguards, skylight guards, self-closing gates and covers for holes in the ground. This type of protection does not require worker participation and is always present and ready to prevent falls.

Passive fall protection is generally considered to be the superior option due to its inherent reliability and ease of use. It does not require workers to remember to engage with the system, reducing the risk of human error. Passive protection can also be more cost-effective and have a longer lifespan than active protection systems.

In fact, OSHA recommends the use of passive fall protection wherever possible. OSHA prefers passive protection because it eliminates the potential for worker error and is generally more reliable.

Please contact the safety experts to discuss which system will work best for your company.

Will All of This Safety Equipment Damage Your Roof?

While you have the best intentions of protecting your workers from rooftop falls and hazards, you may also be curious about the possible damage this equipment may cause to your roof. The answer to this question really depends on the type of equipment used and how it is installed.

In general, properly installed roof safety equipment should not cause any damage to your roof. For instance, guardrails can be installed without damaging the roof’s surface by using non-penetrating bases. Personal fall arrest systems are also designed to be used without causing damage to your roof. However, it is crucial to verify that the anchor points used for this system are strong enough to support the weight of the worker in the event of a fall.

Unfortunately, there is always a slight possibility for rooftop safety equipment to cause damage to your roof, specifically roof anchors and brackets. These devices are used to attach lifelines, lanyards and other fall protection equipment to the roof. If these items are not installed correctly or if they are used improperly, they could puncture or tear the roofing material. This can lead to water leaks and other issues down the road.

When selecting the right rooftop safety system, it is important to choose the best equipment for the job. You also want to confirm that it has been installed correctly to minimize the risk of any damage to your roof. It’s even more critical to make sure you do your research and opt for a company who stands by their work to get the job done right.

Your Roof Safety Equipment Has Been Installed, Now What?

It’s not enough to install the proper fall protection equipment for your employees and call it a day. It is imperative for employers to stay up to date on the latest roof safety regulations, to make certain that their workplace is in compliance in order to keep their workers safe on the job. Here are a few steps employers can take to stay on top of roof safety regulations:

By taking these steps, employers can help to ensure that their employees are working safely on roofs. More importantly, they are in compliance with current roof safety regulations. Please consult the experts if you have any questions or would like a consultation on what system would be best for your company.

Conclusion

It is imperative for employers to provide their employees with the proper and necessary roof safety equipment to protect those who work at heights. Thankfully OSHA’s established and detailed regulations make it simple for employers to follow. Afterall, a great employer will do everything they can to protect their valuable employees. So whether you install guardrail systems or opt for a fall arrest system, choosing safety for your workers is always the right answer.

Thank you for reading and stay safe!