Osha Regulations For Fall Protection On Roofs

Fall protection for activities not in the construction industry is addressed in specific standards for the general industry shipyard employment marine terminals and longshoring industry.

Osha regulations for fall protection on roofs.

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. 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. The answer is it doesn t matter how far from the edge. Figure d 14 clearances for fixed ladders in wells.

Osha safety standards especially for roof fall protection can be a source of confusion for many industrial companies. Platforms used with fixed ladders provide a horizontal surface of at least 24 inches by 30 inches 61 cm by 76 cm. Answer as explained below the answer is no. This is important because the osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning line systems and safety monitors.

The osha general industry standards exclude construction as well as agriculture and marine industries which also have their own standards but both standards can sometimes apply to the same. 1926 502 a 2 employers shall provide and install all fall protection systems required by this subpart for an employee and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this subpart before that employee begins the work that necessitates the fall protection. Implement safe work practices to reduce the possibility of falls. How far from the edge do you have to be before fall protection is required.

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. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly. Note to paragraph g. Also the warning line would comply with the criteria requirements in 1926 502 f.

When work is performed at least 6 feet 1 6 m but less than 15 feet 4 6 m from the roof edge the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by using a guardrail system safety net system travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system. This section highlights osha standards federal register notices rules and proposed rules preambles to final rules background to final rules directives instruction to osha staff letters of interpretation official letters of interpretation of the standards and national consensus standards. In construction activities fall protection is required when working at heights greater than 6 feet with some exceptions. If there is a fall risk it needs to be addressed.