Osha Fall Protection Requirements Roof

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.

Osha fall protection requirements roof.

Fall protection requirements falls are the leading cause of work related injuries and deaths among roofers. 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. 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. To meet osha requirements in the construction industry employers must provide workers with fall protection whenever they work at heights of six feet or more above a lower level 29 cfr 1926 501 b 1.

For general industry employers must ensure that workers are protected at heights of 4 feet or more 1910 28 b 1 i. 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 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. 1926 501 b 12 precast concrete erection. Working six feet or more above lower levels put roofers at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall.

Proper fall protection measures personal protective equipment ppe and adhering to safe work practices can protect workers from fall hazards. Due to routine maintenance on the osha website some pages may be temporarily unavailable. 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. To report an emergency file a complaint with osha or ask a safety and health question call 1 800 321 6742 osha.

A lack of fall protection damaged fall protection equipment or improper setup will increase their risk of falling from height.