Osha Requirements For Fall Protection On Roofs

The final deadline for meeting this requirement is november 18 2036.

Osha requirements for fall protection on roofs.

Background osha s fall protection standard for construction 29 cfr part 1926 subpart m beginning at 1926 500 generally requires fall protection when there is a fall distance of 6 feet or more. Fall protection requirements falls are the leading cause of work related injuries and deaths among roofers. Figure d 14 clearances for fixed ladders in wells. When work is performed at least 6 feet 1 6 m but less than 15 feet 4 6 m from the roof edge the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by using a guardrail system safety net system travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.

Section 1910 28 establishes the requirements that employers must follow on the use of cages and wells as a means of fall protection. Working six feet or more above lower levels put roofers at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. 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. A lack of fall protection damaged fall protection equipment or improper setup will increase their risk of falling from height.

Note to paragraph g. 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. Answer as explained below the answer is no. That applies to both existing and new ladders.

1926 502 b 5 midrails screens mesh intermediate vertical members solid panels and equivalent structural members shall be capable of withstanding without failure a force of at least 150 pounds 666 n applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member. Osha states that any ladders that rise 24 feet or more require a fall arrest system e g ladder safety system cage well attached to them.