Roof Fall Protection Requirements Osha

In general osha s fall protection standard 1926 501 requires that each employee on a walking working surface horizontal and vertical surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet 1 8 m or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems.

Roof fall protection requirements osha.

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 the osha general industry standards exclude construction as well as agriculture and marine industries which. The fall protection methods in this fact sheet may not be suitable in all situations. 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.

When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail safety net or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 502 k and training that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 503 a and c. Each year many roofers sustain injuries and even die on the job in the u s. Osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning line systems and safety monitors. Roofing work poses safety risks for workers because of the high heights involved in installing roofs.

Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards. Requirements of federal fall protection standards under title 29 cfr subpart m fall protection 1926 500 503 employers must assess a workplace to. Osha regulations for roofing focus on fall protection equipment to help protect the safety and health of roofing workers. With the proper fall protection the risk of serious falls can be substantially reduced.

Single unit monolithic roofing applied to flat roofs may seem safer to some roof workers but the work is still at height and subject to many similar hazards and safety requirements as sloped roof work. Below is a table of frequently cited osha standards for roofing contractors during fy 2013.