Reducing Falls During Residential Construction: Re-Roofing

Staging material

Loose material and hand-held equipment can create some serious tripping hazards up on the roof. To minimize exposure to these fall hazards, employers should stage materials in a way that gives workers on the roof quick and safe access to everything they need. When handling materials on the roof, workers should hold the materials on the side of their body facing the down-sloped edge. That way, if anything is dropped, they won’t be struck by it.

It’s also essential to stage materials so they can’t slide off the roof edge and potentially hit a worker on the ground. Slide guards can be a big help in keeping materials from taking a tumble off the roof. Don’t forget to establish a restricted area around the perimeter of the project, keeping workers out of the danger zone where debris, tools, or materials might fall. And make sure to post signs warning of the potential hazard.

Protecting Workers on the Ground

During the demolition phase, it’s important to shield workers on the ground from falling debris by controlling how that debris leaves the roof. Consider using an all-terrain forklift to elevate a disposal box right up to the roof level. Not only does this method offer added protection for your ground crew, but it also makes cleanup after the job a whole lot easier.

Remember, a well-organized and hazard-free work environment is essential for preventing accidents and ensuring everyone’s safety on the job site. So, stage your materials smartly, look out for your fellow workers, and let’s get the job done safely!

Minimizing Exposure to Fall hazards

Using the right equipment when you’re up on the roof is crucial. Employers must provide roofers with fall protection gear that meets OSHA requirements whenever they’re working 6 feet or more above a lower level. There are fall protection systems out there that offer roofers the flexibility they need during both demolition and roof installation. And in many cases, the employer can use the same system for both processes, which is a win-win.

Each phase of roof replacement comes with its own set of challenges, but the risk of falling is always there. Contractors can help protect their workers by using equipment like:

• Personal fall arrest systems;
• Guardrails; and
• Ladders.

Just a quick note: fall protection requirements for residential construction work performed on ladders are found in Subpart X, not in 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13).

Personal fall arrest systems

Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) comes in. It’s a crucial piece of equipment for roofers, especially during those tricky replacement jobs.

Now, a PFAS is the go-to system for a lot of professionals in the business, but here’s the thing – a hiccup in any part of this system could spell disaster for a hardworking individual. That’s why it’s so important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to the letter when it comes to choosing, installing, and utilizing PFAS components.

But wait, there’s more! Some PFAS setups come with nifty elevated anchor assemblies that keep workers safe, even when they’re standing right next to those anchors. Talk about innovation! And to top it all off, certain anchorage assemblies can rotate or even extend their arms, improving mobility and ensuring those lifelines don’t come into contact with the roof’s surface. It’s a game-changer, especially during roof demolition when lines could get snagged on nails or debris.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) are designed to safely stop a fall before a worker hits the ground. It’s like your safety net up there. A PFAS has three major components:

1. Anchorage: This is the solid point where the rest of the PFAS components are attached.
2. Full Body Harness: Worn by the worker, this is crucial in distributing the force of a fall to minimize injury.
3. Connector: This can be a lanyard or lifeline, linking the harness to the anchorage. Typically, it includes a rip-stitch lanyard or deceleration device.

For a more detailed look at PFAS requirements, check out 29 CFR 1926.502(d).

And remember, it’s essential to use full-body harnesses in fall arrest systems. Body belts can lead to serious injury during a fall, and OSHA prohibits their use as part of fall arrest systems.

Horizontal lifelines

An engineered horizontal lifeline system, used as a part of a PFAS, is an effective way to broaden your safe working zone. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and have a qualified person supervising the installation. These lifelines must maintain a safety factor of at least two (double the impact load). For horizontal lifeline requirements, take a look at 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(8).

Rope Grabs

Now, let’s talk about adjustable rope grabs, another popular component of a PFAS. Many roofers swear by this affordable and versatile system. Rope grabs give workers the freedom to adjust their lifeline length, making it easier to move around the roof. The anchored ropes can be as long as needed, providing flexibility in various situations.

However, using rope grabs comes with a bit of responsibility. Roofers need to consistently remove slack from the line. Too much slack could result in a worker free-falling more than six feet if they slip. Proper training and monitoring are crucial for the safe use of rope grabs.

Stopping Mechanism: Don’t forget to ensure there’s a stopping mechanism that prevents workers using rope grabs from sliding off the roof edge. This could be an added attachment or even a simple knot in the rope.

Fall Restraint Systems

Now, OSHA’s not against it; in fact, they’ll accept a properly used fall restraint system in place of a personal fall arrest system, as long as it’s rigged so the worker can’t even reach the fall hazard. Imagine being tethered in a way that prevents you from falling any distance at all. That’s fall restraint for you!

A typical fall restraint system consists of a body belt or harness, an anchorage point, connectors, and any other necessary equipment. You might also find components like a lanyard, lifeline, or additional devices to help ensure you’re secure on the job. Of course, following the manufacturer’s instructions or consulting a qualified professional for proper installation of anchor points is essential to make this system work.

Now, you might wonder when to consider fall restraint. It’s a great option when the boss has concerns about the adequacy of anchorage points for fall arrest equipment. So, in certain situations, fall restraint can be a viable way to keep workers safe from those perilous drops.

But let me reiterate – always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and consult an expert when setting up a fall restraint system.

Temporary guardrails

Temovable guardrail systems can provide effective protection for roofers when installed correctly around the roof perimeter. As always, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines or consult a qualified person, as defined by 29 CFR 1926.32(m), to ensure proper guardrail installation. This person might be the owner, supervisor, or another worker with extensive knowledge, training, and experience in fall protection, capable of solving problems related to it. For guardrail requirements, check out 29 CFR 1926.502(b) – Guardrail Systems.

Other Considerations

Now, onto other considerations. Some employers have discovered that they can eliminate fall hazards by using scaffolds and aerial lifts when the job site allows for their use. Fall protection requirements for work performed on scaffolds and aerial lifts can be found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L – Scaffolds.

Attaching anchors

Let’s talk about attaching anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFASs). Now, OSHA has some pretty clear requirements here: anchors need to hold at least 5,000 pounds of weight per person or have a safety factor of at least two (that’s twice the impact load) under the watchful eye of a qualified person. You see, it’s all about ensuring that these anchors can handle the sudden weight of a falling worker, so always follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult an expert when installing them.

OSHA is confident that the anchorages you’ll find on the market can meet these strength requirements, provided they’re installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This means using the right number of properly sized nails or screws to go through the roof sheathing and into one or more roof trusses.

Now, employers have quite a few options when it comes to choosing an anchor for fall protection. Let me give you two examples:

• Peak anchor: Situated at the top of the roof, these solid, non-moving pieces are securely fastened to the trusses underneath.
• Permanent D-rings: These affordable D-ring anchors can be attached to the truss frame and left permanently on the roof for future use. Talk about convenience!

When installing an anchor, make sure to choose one that’s appropriate for the type of roof and anchor location. Depending on the roof design, the best spot might be at the peak of the roof, directly over a truss.

And here’s a thought: consider leaving anchors in place where it’s practical. Not only can this make the current job easier, but it can also lighten the load for roofers down the line. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, my friends!

So, when you’re gearing up for a job that requires fall protection, remember the importance of properly attaching anchors for your PFAS. Safety always comes first, and with the right approach, you can ensure everyone stays secure while working at great heights. Stay safe, and happy roofing!

Written Fall Protection Plans

References:

1. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/reducing-falls-during-residential-construction-re-roofing.pdf
2. https://www.osha.gov/vtools/construction/reroofing-fnl-eng-web-transcript