Roof Fall Prevention: 4 Tips to Prevent Falls on the Job
Construction workers, and roofers in particular, face hazards on the job that are completely unknown to employees in other industries. In 2023, around 20 percent of all worker deaths were in the construction industry, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Close to 40 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips and trips. For many roofing contractors, roof fall prevention is a top priority.
The good news is that falls are preventable. By following a few key roof fall prevention tips, you can make sure your workers stay safe.
1. Use a personal fall arrest system
Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) consist of three components, according to OSHA: the harness that the worker wears, the anchor that secures the system to the roof and a lanyard that connects the harness to the anchor. OSHA's standards recommend the use of a PFAS on both low-slope and steep-slope roofs to keep people from falling to the ground or to a lower level.
For a PFAS to work, the harness has to fit the worker appropriately, and the lanyard's length must be short enough to keep a person from coming into contact with the ground or lower surface. The anchors also need to support at least 5,000 pounds per person for those attached to the system.
2. Install guardrails
Another way to protect your employees is to install a guardrail system around the roof's edges and any openings such as skylights. OSHA Standard 1926.502(b)(1) lays out the standard measurements for a guardrail: 39 to 45 inches in height, with 21-inch-high midrails if necessary. The space between any posts or balusters should be no more than 19 inches.
This may sound like a lot of specs to keep track of, but the variety of portable and snap-together rail systems on the market makes it easy to install this form of protection correctly and efficiently.
3. Inspect the roof before every workday
Roofers don't need to fall off the roof to get injured. A worker may crash through a roof that isn't structurally sound and gives way, or slip on a misplaced tool or loose shingle.
To keep employees safe, it's a good idea to get in the habit of inspecting the roof before your team begins the workday. Work as a group and designate roles to engage the whole crew. Someone can double-check that the guardrails are properly set up. Another person can do a sweep of the jobsite and clear away hoses, tools and other hazards to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
4. Provide adequate training
PFAS, guardrails and regular inspections can only do so much to protect your team: Education and training are essential to keep workers safe and prevent falls. For example, workers need to know the importance of using a harness and understand how it fits and attaches to the anchor. If a person does fall while wearing a harness, employees need to know what to do to rescue them and avoid further injury, including suspension trauma.
Fall protection training should teach people how to recognize hazards on the job and report any problems. Along with the right equipment and a watchful eye, training can give your crew the power to protect themselves and their fellow roofers.
When you're looking for the right equipment to keep your workers safe, QXO can help. Find a local branch today.