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Under OSHA regulations, employees must be protected from falls when working on a building's rooftop. Fortunately, there are several OSHA-compliant fall protection systems for roofs available to keep your employees safe. Among the most common is a guardrail system that is installed along the perimeter of the roof, around rooftop equipment, and wherever other fall hazards exist. Typically, when you would think of OSHA handrails, you likely envision a bright yellow, metal rail. While metal is the most common material for guardrails, fiberglass guardrails are becoming more and more popular. Industrial fiberglass guardrails provide a host of benefits that commonly go unrecognized besides their obvious use for fall protection. Below we will discuss the broad range of benefits that come with installing fiberglass guardrails on your facility’s rooftop.
The most obvious fall hazard on any roof is an unprotected leading edge. However, this is only the beginning. It's also important to protect roof openings such as skylights, roof hatches, and ladder entrances. Uneven roof levels must also be addressed as they pose a trip and fall risk to workers. In addition, areas around rooftop mechanics and equipment must also be protected to prevent falls and unauthorized entry. Keep in mind this is not an extensive list and there may be additional hazards on your roof. It's a good idea to inspect your rooftop to identify the specific fall hazards that are present so that you can properly address them.
It's not enough, however, to merely note the fall hazards that are present. You must also take action, such as installing OSHA handrails, to eliminate hazards or minimize the risk to employees per OSHA 1910.28. It is your responsibility to ensure that any fall protection equipment you use is OSHA-compliant. Otherwise, you'll end up paying fines and penalties for non-compliance and potentially risk injuring your employees.
Regardless of the material they are constructed of, fall protection systems for roofs must meet certain criteria to be deemed OSHA-compliant. For example, guardrails must measure 42" (plus or minus 3") from the walking/working surface below. The top rail must be able to withstand up to 200 lbs. of pressure in a downward or inward direction without failing. Midrails must withstand a force of up to 150 lbs. as well. In addition, the material that the rails are constructed of must be free of protrusions that could snag clothing and equipment or scratch a worker. Industrial fiberglass guardrails can meet and even exceed these requirements with ease.
Like their metal counterparts, guardrails fabricated from fiberglass can be used in nearly any environment. However, they may be a better option than steel in many cases due to their versatility. In fact, there are several reasons to consider fiberglass safety rails for your commercial rooftop over other fall protection systems for roofs, some reasons include:
Fiberglass guardrail systems are much lighter than metal railings, making them easier to maneuver and configure. It also helps reduce the overall load on your roof and protects the roof's structure from damage. But don't let the light weight of fiberglass fool you, it is strong enough to provide the fall protection your employees need on the roof.
Metal is a great conductor of heat and cold, making it great for some applications, but not necessarily for handling. A fiberglass guardrail will stay cooler to the touch in the hot sun, saving workers from unintentional burns and discomfort. Likewise, grabbing a fiberglass safety rail in cold weather is much more comfortable than touching freezing-cold metal.
The risk of fire is very real in an industrial setting, and you must take every precaution to protect your building and assets. Fiberglass is made of polyester fibers that are tightly woven together. In case of a fire on the roof, heat, and fire cannot be transferred through the railing. What's more, they are coated with a special material that resists UV rays, so the fiberglass lasts longer.
Your organization depends on technology to accomplish your objectives and the rooftop is a perfect place for all your communication equipment. Unlike steel and other metals, fiberglass will not interfere with RF signals, signal-boosting antennas, or rooftop cell sites. In addition, fiberglass is a very poor conductor of electricity. Therefore, it reduces the risk of electric shock or electrocution for rooftop workers.
Installation of a rooftop safety rail doesn't have to be an arduous task that takes a crew of workers to complete. Non-penetrating fiberglass safety rails can be quickly assembled in any configuration your employees need in just a matter of minutes. In fact, a single worker can easily move or set up an entire fiberglass guardrail system without any special tools or assistance.
Steel guardrails need to be painted on occasion to ensure the metal isn't exposed to the elements. Otherwise, it will rust and weaken, which isn’t the case for fiberglass guardrails. The maintenance requirements of industrial fiberglass guardrails are minimal. Like any safety rail, you should inspect a fiberglass guardrail system periodically. Look for any damage or other signs of wear and immediately repair or replace the rail. Otherwise, occasional cleaning is all you need to do.
Your rooftop configuration is unique, and you need a roof fall protection system that will accommodate its features. Fiberglass railings can be assembled in any configuration that suits your needs. But that's not all. You can also customize the color of your fiberglass railings to coordinate with your building and brand. Architectural rails made of fiberglass can literally disappear to expose your decorative roofline if you wish.
Now that you understand the multitude of benefits of fiberglass in comparison to metal safety rails, contact the roof fall protection experts at BlueWater to discuss your needs. We are a leading manufacturer of OSHA handrails and other fall protection equipment and devices, and we are your resource for information and assistance. Our qualified safety experts are happy to help you choose the most appropriate OSHA-compliant safety rail material for your building based on the climate, features of your roof, the fall hazards present, as well as your aesthetic preferences.