Toolbox Talk: Rooftop Fall Protection
It seems that as our workload expands there is a greater call for rooftop work. The OSHA Standard 1926.500 states that fall protection is required when there is a fall distance of 6 feet or more.
Pre-planning when a project is in the bid stage will be essential to the employee and will help to determine proper fall protection equipment and any other safety factors that will need to be considered for rooftop work.
1. Each employee will be trained in the proper use of all fall protection equipment.
2. Fall protection is required when there is a fall distance of 6 feet or more unless a parapet of 36 inches or higher is present.
3. Guardrails may be installed with a top rail at a height of 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches; a midrail should be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guard rail system and the walking/working surface. A toe kick board shall be installed to prevent material from falling from the roof.
4. Guardrails will withstand a force of at least 200 pounds.
5. A warning line system must be placed at least 6 feet for roofers; and 15 feet for other trades from the roof’s edge.
6. A warning line system shall be erected around all sides of the work area.
7. If a warning line system is in use, points of access shall be connected to the work area by an access path formed by two warning lines.
8. A warning line system must be flagged at intervals of not more than 6 feet.
9. The warning line must be no fewer than 34 inches (including sag) from the walking/working surface.
10. No leading-edge work is to be done outside the warning line system unless other means of fall protection are being used.
11. Fall protection equipment will be inspected upon each use and should not be used if there is any wear or defects to the equipment are visible.
12. Anchorages used to attach personal fall arrest systems will be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds of force per person attached.
