Osha Roof Protection

Osha s 29 cfr 1926 501 includes a general rule.

Osha roof protection.

Implement safe work practices to reduce the possibility of falls. 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. Lay headers sheets of roofing or other materials no closer than 5 feet inside the edges of the roof and parallel to the roofline. 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.

Osha safety standards especially for roof fall protection can be a source of confusion for many industrial companies. Two osha standards can apply 29 cfr 1910 which governs general industry safety standards and 29 cfr 1926 which governs construction sites specifically. Due to routine maintenance on the osha website some pages may be temporarily unavailable. Supervise workers to ensure fall protection equipment is used and maintained correctly.

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. Html pdf united states department of labor. A steep roof is one with a slope greater than 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal length. 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.

Re roofing fact sheet osha fs 3503 2012 english. There are fall protection systems available that can provide roofers the flexibility they need during demolition and roof installation. 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. Reducing falls during residential construction.

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. Occupational safety and health administration 200 constitution ave nw washington dc 20210 800 321 6742 osha tty www osha gov.