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Your facility's rooftop needs special care in order to stand up to the harsh winter weather that's on the way. From winterizing rooftop machinery and openings to inspecting the roof itself and making any required repairs, rooftop maintenance is a crucial step that must be completed before the snow flies. While it's important to focus your attention on ensuring that your roof is in good shape, you also need to be keenly aware of other roof safety issues. It's your obligation to provide roof fall protection for all workers who enter your rooftop areas, and in winter, you need to be even more diligent.
The actual steps that are taken to prepare an industrial rooftop for winter aren't necessarily any more hazardous than other rooftop work. However, the fact that employees are performing these tasks at height does make the job dangerous. Per OSHA 1910.28, it's your duty to provide fall protection whenever employees are working at a height of 4' above the level below. Roof safety should be taken very seriously, and your rooftop will need fall protection systems to keep workers safe.
When you look at the roof of your facility, you see the leading edge and you understand that it poses a fall hazard. While it's certainly the most obvious place for a fall risk, the leading edge is hardly the only threat to workers on a rooftop. In fact, there are several other places where fall hazards exist under normal circumstances, including:
Skylights
Roof Hatches
Rooftop Equipment
Ladder Entries
Stairways
Uneven Levels
Holes in the Rooftop
Even in the warmer weather, special care needs to be taken in order to make sure that workers are fully protected from these fall hazards.
In addition to the hazards listed above, when snow and ice accumulate on a rooftop, slippery conditions make it hard for employees to keep their footing. Snowy covered surfaces are hard to navigate and trip and fall hazards can be hidden under the snow. For example, if a skylight isn't protected and it's buried under the snow, someone could walk on it and fall through. In addition, bitter cold temperatures and strong winds may distract employees or make them rush to complete tasks, heightening risks of falls and other accidents.
Snow removal from an industrial rooftop can be particularly difficult and dangerous, presenting risks of slipping and falling, as well as restricted movement if the snow is deep or heavy. However, heavy snow loads can threaten the structural integrity of a roof, and you need to get rid of accumulated snow as quickly and safely as possible. When the weather warms up, melting snow and ice can also cause water to accumulate on the rooftop and eventually make its way inside. Whether your crew removes snow and ice by hand or with a machine, it's imperative that they have adequate roof fall protection systems and devices.
The fact of the matter is you can't stay off your rooftop until spring. You need to get up there before the most severe winter weather kicks in to get those last-minute maintenance and repair jobs taken care of. If you have the proper fall protection equipment and devices in place, your workers can safely get their rooftop work done, no matter the weather.
Consider installing:
A Roof Guard Rail System
Guard rails are probably the most popular form of passive fall protection for industrial rooftops. You aren't obligated to use a guard rail for rooftop safety by OSHA, you must decide what type of fall protection is best for your situation. But if you're going to use a guard rail system, it must meet OSHA guidelines laid out in OSHA 1910.29 including:
Top rails must be 42" (+ or - 3") from the walking/working surface.
Rails must be able to handle 200 lbs. of downward force without failure.
Midrails must be able to withstand 150 lbs. of downward or outward force without failing.
Guard rails must have a smooth, not-snagging surface.
In addition to a guard rail, you may also want to consider installing self-closing safety gates at ladder entrances, and other openings in the railing. Your safety gates must meet the same standards as any safety rails you install with regards to size, strength, and smoothness.
Although a good safety rail system will provide adequate fall protection in some instances, that's not always the case. If you cannot install a guard rail system due to space constraints, the slope of your roof, or other reasons, you'll need to provide another form of roof protection.
When passive fall protection is inadequate or impractical, you may need to use active fall protection solution instead. Personal fall protection systems like a harness, lanyard, and lifeline may be the only way to keep workers safe when there is severe pitch to the roof or if other hazards exist that preclude using rails. Keep in mind that if you go this route, your employees need extensive safety training to ensure they know how to use the equipment properly.
Whether you operate a large industrial warehouse or a small commercial building, your roof needs to be maintained and prepared for winter. Throughout the winter, you need to remove the snow and ice, so your roof isn't put under any undue strain. At the same time, your employees need to be protected from falls while they're working on your roof. If you're thinking that a guard rail system is a good fit for your facility, but you're not completely sure, contact us at BlueWater and consult with one of our safety experts.
We'll be happy to discuss your building's specs, and your safety needs. Our specialists can help you determine whether a safety rail system is appropriate for your building, or if you should be considering other forms of roof fall protection. You can count on our decades of fall protection experience and our OSHA-compliant roof safety equipment to keep your workers safe and to help your company avoid costly fines and penalties.