Pharmaceutical companies are vital to everyone's health and wellbeing, developing and producing life-saving medicines, vaccines, and treatments. The rooftop of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility will often hold specialized equipment like filtration systems, chillers, and security systems in addition to standard building machinery like HVAC and electrical units. To keep these crowded areas safe from fall hazards, roof safety systems like safety guard rails and other OSHA-compliant rooftop safety equipment are essential to protect workers when working on and around vital rooftop equipment.
Your pharmaceutical manufacturing facility's roof is likely home to surveillance and security systems, telecommunications equipment, filtration systems, chillers, HVAC components, and fire suppression equipment. Every piece of equipment is important to production, security, and employee comfort. It is imperative, then, that it is frequently maintained and quickly repaired when necessary. During these operations, maintenance crew safety must be a priority.
Rooftop HVAC Equipment
As with most commercial buildings, the HVAC and other systems integral to pharmaceutical facilities are usually on the rooftop due to space constraints. To keep your HVAC system working properly, experts recommend that you have it maintained at least annually. Even with regular maintenance, however, repairs are common for commercial HVAC systems. OSHA compliant handrails not only protect your HVAC equipment from damage, they also keep HVAC technicians safe as they perform maintenance duties and make repairs on the equipment.
Security and Telecommunication Systems
The pharmaceutical industry is extremely competitive and trade secrets and processes are fiercely protected. Sharing data with key players is also imperative. Pharmaceutical companies are also often under constant threat of theft, particularly of expensive or legally controlled products. Rooftop security systems, surveillance cameras, internet, and telephone equipment are essential, and they need frequent servicing to operate properly. When technicians need to access security and telecommunications equipment, it's necessary to provide them with rooftop safety equipment like guard rails and swing gates to keep them safe from falls.
Chillers and Cooling Systems
Maintaining the proper temperature is imperative for certain pharmaceutical processes as well as for storage of components and finished products. Chillers and cooling systems must perform without failure or entire batches of highly valuable, life-saving products can be ruined. As with most rooftop equipment, maintenance should be performed at least annually. Providing a protective perimeter with OSHA compliant handrails and safety gates around the chiller helps maintain worker safety as they perform this maintenance.
Rooftop Fire Suppression Equipment
Some chemicals and processes that pharmaceutical companies use pose the threat of fire or explosion. On-site fire suppression equipment is crucial for the safety of employees and the facility. To ensure that this vital equipment is always ready, regular inspections, maintenance, and repairs are necessary. Protect your maintenance/repair crew with OSHA-compliant safety guard rails and safety gates.
OSHA does not specifically state what types of rooftop safety equipment you must use for your pharmaceutical buildings. You have to decide what solution will work best for you. However, OSHA 1910.29 does lay out specific requirements for the components of any roof safety systems you may use including:
Safety Guard Rails
Guard rails must be 42" tall (+ or - 3") for protecting the leading edge, as well as rooftop equipment, roof entrances and other fall hazards.
The top rail must withstand a force of 200 lbs. without failing or deflecting below 39".
When 150 lbs. of force is applied to midrails, they must not fail.
Materials used to make guard rails must be smooth and snag free.
Industrial Safety Gates
In conjunction with an OSHA-compliant guard rail system, a safety gate provides fall protection as well as limits access to sensitive areas, such as around rooftop equipment. To meet OSHA standards, a gate must:
Meet the criteria noted above for height (42" plus or minus 3") from the surface.
Top rails and midrails of safety gates must also meet the same criteria as safety railings.
Safety gates must be smooth so as not to snag, injure, or otherwise hinder employees.
Industrial safety gates must open away from a hole, hatch, or other fall hazard.
Workers are entitled to a safe workplace and it's your obligation to provide it for them. One of the areas that you need to focus your attention on is fall protection, which is required under OSHA 1910.28, duty to have fall protection and falling object protection. Pharmaceutical roofs, like all industrial rooftops, contain many fall hazards that roof safety systems address including:
The leading edge should be protected with safety guard rails that surround the entire perimeter.
Roof access hatches must be protected by OSHA compliant handrails and either an off-set entry or a safety gate that opens away from the hatch.
Skylights must be protected by safety guard rails or by a skylight protection screen system.
Uneven surfaces that pose a trip hazard should be protected with a guard rail and safety gate where feasible.
When workers are climbing a fixed ladder more than 24' above the previous level, OSHA requires that they be protected with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system. At the top of the ladder, a guard rail system and safety gate are also recommended.
Any time workers are performing duties within 15' of a rooftop fall hazard, like the leading edge, they need to be provided with fall protection equipment and devices.
Nothing is more important than keeping your employees safe. That concern also extends to contractors and maintenance crews who take care of the rooftop equipment at your pharmaceutical facilities. Protective equipment like OSHA compliant roof safety systems, safety rails, gates, and personal fall arrest systems are essential for their safety. Contact BlueWater today to learn more about your options for roof safety systems for fall protection.
