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Flat roof fall protection is a universal need for construction and standard maintenance functions requiring physical access to working rooftop environments. While the fall protection guidelines for these spaces are broad, it’s necessary for your team to comply so you can protect workers and reduce potential risks.
This includes many general requirements for walking-working surfaces, outlined at OSHA 1910 Subpart D and including:
A safe means of access and egress (subsection [c])
Keeping surfaces free of "sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice" (subsection [a][3])
Regular inspection and repair (subsection [d][1])
Protecting employees from hazards that can't be corrected before further use (subsection [d][2])
Fall safety regulations also spell out many specific requirements that take effect on elevated surfaces 4 ft (1.2 m) above the surface below, for general industry (at OSHA 1910.28[b][1][i]), and 6 ft (1.8 m) above, for rooftop construction (1926.501[b][1]).
Flat roof fall safety regulations also apply to machine guarding, any rooftop opening, slip and trip hazards, and weather issues—and these are just a few of the basics. To help you learn everything you’ll need to know—from fundamental rooftop hazards to selecting roof safety systems, guard rails for flat roofs, and more—we’ll explore key compliance standards and what you need to consider so your company meets them.
Flat Roof Safety: Equal Parts Knowledge and Application
While the most innovative guard rails for flat roofs can fulfill numerous compliance requirements, applying your equipment effectively still requires thorough knowledge of the basics of flat roof fall protection.
Nothing eliminates the need to thoroughly analyze the OSHAor CCOHS regulations controlling your rooftop activities. Further, some states use OSHA-approved "state plans" that either affect private industries and government operations, or government operations alone.
In addition, understand that OSHA doesn't approve safety products, but provides many fall safety educational resources. What OSHA does detail various dimensional, design, and application standards for roof safety systems and elevated surfaces of all kinds.
For instance, OSHA 1910.29(b) outlines design requirements for guardrails in great detail, including all of:
Guardrail dimensions, most importantly:
Top rails (or comparable members) must be 42 in. (106 cm), ±3 in., above the walking-working surface
Midrails must be midway between the top edge of the top rail and the walking-working surface, except when the railing is directly above parapets or walls 21 in. (53 cm) high
Any screens, mesh, or related intermediate members, if used, must extend across the entire guardrail opening between the top rail supports
Intermediate vertical members are installed no more than 19 in. (48 cm) apart
Force ratings, where railing must withstand a set amount of force in a downward and outward direction, and with minimal deflection – 200 lbs (890 N), for the top rail, and 150 lbs (667 N), for midrails and intermediate members
General design and material considerations for the railing, such as smooth, snag-free surfaces and the elimination of projection hazards at terminal posts
Meeting guardrail requirements also involves learning where they're either necessary or the ideal solution. For rooftop operations, that includes, at minimum:
Any roof leading edge, including interior openings (such as for courtyards)
Roof openings at least 2 in. (5 cm) in its least dimension, per OSHA 1910.21 and 1926.500 definitions, and which include:
Skylights, where guardrails are an easier solution than custom-fitted covers
Hatches, which normally require a hatch protection system – where the hatch cover opens at least 70° from horizontal for sufficient clearance (per OSHA 1910.23[d][9]) – plus railing and a self-closing gate that opens away from the hatch (1910.29[b][13][i])
Stairways, where a parallel railing enclosure safely leads workers 6 ft (1.8 m) away from the roof leading edge, re: OSHA 1910.28(b)(13); yet note the same section requires further measures, unless you place railing along the roof's entire perimeter
Openings to facilitate passing materials – where OSHA 1910.29(b)(12) limits guardrail removal to just two sides and requires protection at all unprotected sides/edges (or a covering) when not in use
Rooftop machinery, such as HVAC or telco equipment, where a universal-mount safety swing gate or modular railing provide safe, easy access for maintenance (unlike permanent guardrails)
Trip hazards, such as ramps and runways during rooftop construction work (per OSHA 1926.501[b][6])
There are always unique challenges inhibiting the use of basic flat roof safety systems, though. Parapets, ledges, and equipment right at the roof leading edge (e.g., ductwork or conduits) often preclude the possibility of standard railing.
In such cases, guardrail extensions, variable level railing, and raised midrail designs can still meet regulatory requirements when unique structural issues make standard guard rails for flat roofs impossible.
Making Shorter Work of Complex Roof Safety Challenges
When meeting regulatory requirements for flat roofs, it's important to take the broadest possible view while minding the details. The most fundamental question you should ask is how you can easily meet the widest variety of flat roof fall protection challenges.
Rather than address each regulation with custom roof safety equipment for each individual hazard, it's better to choose customizable modular railing. When you’re confident you can overcome flat roof challenges, you'll be well on your way to designing rooftop safety systems according to your exact needs.
Maintaining rooftop safety is a full-time job, so use these tips to streamline your ongoing compliance work as much as possible:
Sign up for OSHA safety training updates, to ensure your team performs according to the latest OSHA guidelines
Keep roof-related OSHA fall prevention/protection materials handy, because safety requires a team effort
Familiarize yourself with any other safety regulations affecting your particular type of rooftop work (e.g., winter maintenance, construction, telco equipment, etc.)
Conduct your own rooftop safety audit to assess the efficacy of your current flat roof safety system
Don't hesitate to ask – both your local safety regulators and industry-leading fall protection manufacturers are more than eager to help you optimize your rooftop safety
Safe working flat roof environments depend on an unwavering commitment to the core fundamentals of fall safety. This depends equally on thorough procedural knowledge and reliable fall protection equipment. By incorporating the most user-friendly and adaptable guardrails into your rooftop safety system, you'll not only save time but enable technicians to resolve even some of the most difficult fall safety challenges.
For further assistance keeping your rooftop workers safe, download BlueWater's complete guide to fall protection, or contact us today.
