Osha Low Slope Roof Work

Osha walking working surfaces standard low sloped roof fall protection defined.

Osha low slope roof work. Steep roof above 4 12 slope 29 cfr 1926 501 b 11. 1910 28 b 13 i when work is performed less than 6 feet 1 6 m from the roof edge the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by a guardrail system safety net system travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system. The roofing safety zones. Employers must provide the right equipment employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job including the right kinds of ladders scaffolds and safety gear.

This is important because the osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning line systems and safety monitors. Osha has designated three work zones on low slope roofs with unprotected edges that are four feet or more above a lower level. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph b of this section each employee engaged in roofing activities on low slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems safety net systems personal fall arrest systems or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system warning line system and safety net system or warning line system and personal fall arrest system or warning line system and. Lower levels means those areas or surfaces to which an employee can fall.

The extremely high danger zone less than six feet from the roof s edge requires one of the following. Final paragraph b 13 is a new provision that establishes fall protection requirements when employees perform work on low slope roofs. Work on low slope roofs. Low sloped roof is a term that osha felt it needed to be defined in its walking working surfaces update published november 18 2016.

29 cfr 1926 500 defines low slope roof as a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10 allows the use of a safety monitor on a low slope roof. Aerial lifts may be used to transport personnel so long as the requirements in 29 cfr 1926 453 which cover aerial lifts are met. Low slope roof means a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal. See 1926 501 b 2 12 and 13 because of feasibility limitations the standard permits the use of a warning line in combination with other measures instead of conventional fall protection guardrail systems personal fall arrest systems or safety net systems to keep employees away from an edge.

Osha is adding this provision to make the general industry standard more consistent with the construction fall protection standard which includes a provision addressing roofing work performed on low slope roofs 1926 501 b 10. In a few very specific situations low slope roof work some leading edge work precast concrete erection and residential construction. Slope is calculated by rise over run thus a low sloped roof is a roof where for every 12 units inches feet or meters measured horizontally run the roof does not increase or decrease by.