Roofing

Roofing falls are the leading cause of roofing injuries and fatalities. Roofing, siding, and sheet metal work have the highest rate of occupational injuries and illnesses for a non-manufacturing industry.

Workers involved in steel erection have an even greater risk of falling. Ironworkers are 10 times more likely to die from a fall than workers in any other construction occupation. The most frequently cited serious OSHA violations involving steel erection are fall protection, fall hazard training, and fall protection for connectors.

A low-slope roof has a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal). When engaged in roofing work on a low-slope roof that has one or more unprotected sides or edges six feet or more above lower levels, workers must be protected from falling by one of the following:

• Guardrail systems
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems
• A combination of conventional fall protection systems and warning line systems
• A warning line system and a safety monitoring system

When engaged in roofing work on low-slope roofs 50 feet or less in width, the use of a safety monitoring system without a warning line system is permitted.

A steep roof has a slope greater than 4 in 12 (vertical to horizontal). When working on a steep roof that has one or more unprotected sides or edges six feet or more above lower levels, each worker must be protected by one of the following:

• Guardrail systems with toeboards
• Safety net systems
• Personal fall arrest systems

To learn more about Focus Four Safety visit our Construction Focus Four Safety Online Training web page.