Big Rooftops Mean Big Risk Factors - Solve Them with Horizontal Lifelines

Due to the immense size of the roof's surface, there are a multitude of fall hazards that rooftop workers must navigate. OSHA and CCOHS require fall protection systems for roofs and one of the most popular and versatile solutions is a horizontal lifeline system. In fact, horizontal lifelines can be the ideal fall protection for a variety of industrial rooftop applications.

Fall Hazards on Large Industrial Roofs that Horizontal Lifelines Solve

As the owner or manager of an industrial facility, it's your obligation to make sure your employees have adequate fall protection when working at height, and that includes on your building’s rooftop.

A horizontal lifeline can solve a variety of fall hazards on your commercial roof, including:

Roof Size

The larger your roof is, the more fall hazards your employees will be exposed to. A horizontal lifeline can limit exposure to these hazards in a more cost-effective manner than installing a guardrail around the perimeter. In fact, the bigger your roof, the more important a lifeline system is for your employees.

Roof Slope

A sloped roof, especially one of massive proportions, presents unique fall risks as employees work on the roof. In these cases, guardrails are impractical and ineffective. On the other hand, a lifeline is the ideal fall protection solution since it can be used and is compliant regardless of a roof’s slope.

Roof Material

TPO and other membrane-style industrial roof coatings can present a slip-and-fall hazard, especially when wet or covered in ice. Whether there's an emergency with the rooftop equipment or the roof itself, a horizontal lifeline system is a must to ensure no one slips and falls.

Leading Edge

The leading edge of any rooftop is the most obvious fall hazard. Fall protection systems for roofs like guardrail systems are often used to prevent access to the edge. However, if you cannot feasibly install one or if the work being done is close enough to the leading edge, a horizontal lifeline system can provide the fall protection workers need.

Skylights & Roof Hatches

When working on the roof, openings such as roof hatches and skylights are real threats to the safety of your employees. A lifeline and body harness will protect against or arrest a fall through one of these openings.

Rooftop Equipment

Your industrial roof does more than just protect the building's structure and contents. It's also a convenient location for mechanicals such as HVAC, filtration, security, and communications systems. However, since the equipment is often located near the edge or would be dangerous for an employee to fall into or against, a lifeline is essential for fall protection.

What Are the Advantages of Horizontal Lifelines?

As you can see from the list of fall hazards they solve, horizontal lifeline systems are extremely versatile. But this is just the beginning. In fact, there are several distinct advantages of choosing this form of fall protection for your industrial roof including:

Cost-Effective

Fall protection systems for roofs can be costly, especially when the roof is very large. Installing a guardrail around a huge perimeter may not be a financially sound decision. On the other hand, a lifeline system can be comparatively inexpensive, even for the largest building.

Temporary or Permanent Use

Although it may not seem so, lifelines are not only used for temporary work. Whether there's infrequent activity on your roof or ongoing work, a horizontal lifeline can be an integral component of your permanent fall protection system.

Ideal for Multiple Workers

Rarely do rooftop jobs only require one set of hands. Most jobs are going to require two or more workers, which means more people are at risk of falling. A lifeline allows multiple workers to be connected and protected so the job is safer, faster, and easier.

Is a Lifeline System the Right Fall Protection Choice for Your Facility?

As you can see, there are a number of reasons to consider using a lifeline system as fall protection for your industrial roof. But is it the right choice for your roof, your employees, and your organization?

Need Assistance Choosing Fall Protection for Your Roof?

You're aware of your obligations under federal and local laws to keep your workers safe when working at height. You also know the potential consequences if you don't. Inaction isn't an option, but which system should you go with? Are horizontal lifelines the answer? Contact Tractel® to speak to one of our highly qualified safety experts about your needs. We'll walk you through the process, so you get the right equipment to protect your employees and your company from harm.

Contact Tractel®