Personal Fall Protection for Roof Work

OSHA construction standard 1926.501 (b) (11) requires that each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. A steep roof is one having a slope of greater than  4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal) or a 20 degree slope or more.  Personal fall arrest systems are usually selected for use on steep roofs.

Person fall arrest systems consist of a full body harness, an anchorage point, and connecting lanyard and handware.  Roofing systems usually employ a lifeline and rope grab to permit freedom of movement on the roof.   The components can be purchased separately or as a kit with a storage/transport container.  Purchasing  fall arrest system kits provides a contractor or trades worker a simple method for obtaining, storing and transporting all needed components of a fall arrest system. Kits may also be assembled from components that meet the strength requirement for fall arrest.  Having one or more kits on hand can ensure that fall protection is available for workers who do not routinely perform roof top work. Maintaining individual kits for workers who regularly perform roof work ensures that the proper equipment is available and is not used for other tasks where components may be damaged, degraded or lost.

Worker training and equipment inspection at each use are required. Training information may be included in each kit, but training must be conducted by a competent person.

 

 

Description:

OSHA construction standard 1926.501 (b) (11) requires that each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. A steep roof is one having a slope of greater than  4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal) or a 20 degree slope or more.  Personal fall arrest systems are usually selected for use on steep roofs.

Person fall arrest systems consist of a full body harness, an anchorage point, and connecting lanyard and handware.  Roofing systems usually employ a lifeline and rope grab to permit freedom of movement on the roof.   The components can be purchased separately or as a kit with a storage/transport container.  Purchasing  fall arrest system kits provides a contractor or trades worker a simple method for obtaining, storing and transporting all needed components of a fall arrest system. Kits may also be assembled from components that meet the strength requirement for fall arrest.  Having one or more kits on hand can ensure that fall protection is available for workers who do not routinely perform roof top work. Maintaining individual kits for workers who regularly perform roof work ensures that the proper equipment is available and is not used for other tasks where components may be damaged, degraded or lost.

Worker training and equipment inspection at each use are required. Training information may be included in each kit, but training must be conducted by a competent person.

 

 

Whether buying a pre-packaged roofers fall protection kit or puting one together yourself, the following specifications must be met.

Harnesses must be constructed of synthetic material and have the lanyard connection point located in the upper back between the shoulder blades or above the head.

Although some harnesses are said to be "universal" or "one size fits all" that does not ensure that every worker will get a satisfactory fit. Workers whose height, weight or body type is significantly below or above average may not be able to adjust the harness to achieve a comfortable and fully protective fit. Uncomfortable harnesses may be worn incorrectly or not worn at all. Ideally, workers should be allowed to select from a variety of harnesses to select one that they feel comfortable with. Fittings can be arranged at a local safety supply house.

Safety belts must not be used as part of a fall arrest system.

Anchorages

Secure anchorage points must be capable of supporting 5,000 pound per person attached. Anchorages are usually rated for one attachment. Ridge/flat mount units are most common and may be single use or reusable. Include at least one anchorage in each kit to ensure that each worker can establish their own anchorage point.

Connectors.

All connecting hardware (snap links and dee-rings) must be able to support 5,000 lbs of force and tested to 3,600 pounds. Components must be drop forged, pressed or formed steel or equivalent material and must have a corrosion-resistant finish that is smoothed to prevent damage to other components of the system. Purchase only hardware that is designed for fall arrest and do not use them for any other task. Use only locking type snaphooks.

Lanyards and vertical lifelines must be made of a synthetic material and have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds. Lanyard should provide a shock absorbing feature. Lanyards and verticle lifelines should be protected from cuts, nicks and chemical damage.

Storage

Providing a suitable storage container reduces the chances of the fall arrest systems components becoming scattered, lost or damaged.  Some kits are provided in a bucket or a cloth bag.  The container should be large enough to contain all of the components without requiring distortion of the harness material. Kits assignment to individuals allows them to retain their adjustments between uses.   


How Risks are Reduced:

Falls from roof are a leading cause of construction fatalities.  Ensuring that proper fall protection is available significantly reduces that risk by limiting the distance that a worker can fall.

Effects on Productivity:

Infrequent users of roofing personal fall protection may have difficulty locating and assembling all of system components when they are needed. Assembling a system only when needed can be time consuming and may result in inproper components being incorporated  or even in no protection being used.  Having a preassembled kit on hand ensures ready accessibility of fall protection as well as a means of restricting inappropriate use or damage of the equipment.  Repeated use of a kit involves little if any additional cost and greatly increases the return on investment.

Additional Considerations:

A competent person must train workers at risk of falling about types of hazards and limitation in using fall protection.  Training must cover all that can happen, like hanging in a harness and rescue. Workers must be trained in how to use the fall arrest system.  Manufacturer's directions for inspecting, donning and maintaining the system should be available to the worker. What is the weight limit above which special harnesses are required?

Availability

Fall arrest system component and kits can be obtained at local safety supply houses or on line from suppliers such as DBI SALA  and Elk River.  Do not use any component that does not meet OSHA strength and design criteria.

Return on Investment

To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.