When it comes to fall protection for your industrial rooftop, there's no margin for error. It's essential that you provide workers with the right safety equipment to protect them from fall hazards and to ensure your company remains in compliance with OSHA regulations. Knowing when to use the right equipment, however, can be a challenge. While there may be some situations where setting up a warning line system will suffice, there are others where full guardrail systems will need to be installed to keep rooftop visitors safe. It's up to you to understand how, when, and where to use each.
There are a number of reasons someone may need to visit your facility's rooftop. Work like roof inspections, maintenance, and repairs are all essential to your building's structure. And keeping rooftop equipment such as HVAC units in good working order is of the utmost importance for the comfort, safety, and productivity of your facility. Regardless of the reason for someone being on your roof, it's your duty to provide adequate OSHA-compliant fall protection.
While there may be some nuance depending upon your rooftop, or the work being done, generally OSHA states the following in concern to when and where rooftop fall protection should be used in general industry:
Metal guardrails are the most common form of rooftop fall protection for a variety of reasons. The most important of which is the fact that they actually prevent falls. But that doesn't mean they're always the only choice, or the right choice. Guardrails are ideal for flat and low-slope roofs, but they may not be compatible with a sloped roof. Always rely on the advice and expertise of a qualified individual to help you decide whether a guardrail is right for your application. Guardrails are generally a good choice for a variety of rooftop applications including:
Surrounding the roof's perimeter.
Around equipment and machinery.
Around skylights, roof hatches, and other openings.
At uneven rooftop surfaces.
Around temporary work areas.
If you determine that this is the right solution, remember that you have a choice between a permanent guardrail and a portable guardrail, depending upon how frequent roof access is. Regardless of how long you intend to use them, your guardrails must meet OSHA standards including:
Guardrails must be made of smooth material that won't snag clothing or skin.
The top edge height must be at least 42", give or take 3", from the walking/working surface.
Top rails must be at least .25" in thickness or diameter.
Guardrail systems must not deflect to less than 39" under downward pressure of 200 pounds.
The biggest difference between a guardrail and warning line is that a guardrail is intended to prevent a fall while a warning line is only a warning of an impending fall hazard and danger. According to OSHA, warning lines are appropriate components of your rooftop fall protection plan when:
Installation of safety rails is not feasible due to roof slope or other factors.
There is a potential for workers to come within 6' of the leading edge.
Workers are using temporary designated work and equipment storage areas.
Foot traffic must be controlled to keep workers within a safety zone.
Added protection is desired around a permanent or portable guardrail.
To be compliant, OSHA warning lines not only have to be the right choice for the application; they also have to meet certain standards for size, strength, and durability, similar to guardrails. If you're going to incorporate a warning line system, make sure that it:
Does not sag to less than 34" or not more than 39" above the walking/working surface.
Is installed in a way that doesn't allow slack on one portion to affect the next.
Has a maximum breaking strength of 200 pounds.
Is highly visible, OSHA warning lines must be clearly seen from at least 25' away.
Your employees deserve a safe workplace, whether they're working inside on the first floor, or out on the rooftop. It's your duty and obligation to provide them with the safety equipment necessary to safely perform their duties. Passive fall protection measures like installing permanent guardrail systems around the perimeter of the roof, and a portable guardrail around a temporary work area are a good place to start.
You might also want to take into consideration instances when work on the rooftop is short-term, like unplanned repairs. OSHA warning lines can add a layer of fall protection for workers by giving them a visual clue that fall hazards like the leading edge are present. These devices on their own aren't going to keep anyone from falling, so it's imperative that you incorporate other fall safety protocols to counteract the risk. Developing written, common sense safety protocols, safety training for new-hires, ongoing safety training and evaluations for all employees, and issuing OSHA-approved PPE are also actions you need to take.
It's not easy to decide what the best fall protection systems and components you should be focused on. Your main objective is to keep everyone safe while avoiding costly OSHA fines for non-compliance. You also need to keep a close eye on productivity and workflow, so you can maximize your space and your workforce.
While warning lines are a good option for letting workers know there's a danger nearby, they cannot stop a fall from happening. Guardrails are a superior fall protection solution because they do, in fact, stop falls from happening if they meet OSHA standards, are properly installed, and well-maintained.
When you partner with BlueWater, you're working with a roof safety expert that understands your needs and can help you implement total fall safety solutions. Contact us to discuss your roof fall protection needs with one of our qualified safety professionals today.
