Osha Roof Safety Regulations All Employers Must Know

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 888,200 injuries reported that caused a worker to miss a day or more of work.

If you own a roofing company, a workplace injury can cause serious ramifications to your business. Your projects will experience delays. If it’s determined your workplace was unsafe, you could be liable.

On top of that, one of your valued co-workers could face a lifetime injury. Who wants that on their conscience.

For these reasons, you must follow all OSHA roof safety regulations. Learn more here.

Personal Fall Arrest System

OSHA roof safety regulations require all workers who may face a fall to take a Fall Protection Training Course. Administered by the company, these courses follow the OSHA mandated outline.

In conjunction with OSHA Fall Protection Training, you as the employer are required to provide your workers with a functioning Personal Fall Arrest System.

These harnesses prevent a worker from falling more than six feet and are used with a rooftop anchor installation.

Warning Line System

If your roofers work on an open surface over six feet high, you must install a guardrail or warning line.

An OSHA roofing safety warning line system must be set up six feet from the edge of the roof and must alert workers of their location to the edge through the use of flags.

For more precarious heights, an employer must install a physical guardrail six feet from the edge.

Extension Ladders

Part of your OSHA roofing safety checklist must be how you position your extension ladders. Ladder safety is an important aspect of fall prevention.

According to OSHA regulations, the employer provides ladders when there is an elevation break of over 19 inches.

The horizontal length between the top support and feet is one-quarter the working length of the ladder.

According to OSHA regulations, the side rails of these ladders must extend three feet above the surface any worker wants to access.

When performing your daily OSHA safety checklist, you must make sure your ladders are safe.

Safety Monitor

If you’re not on the job every day with your crew, you must designate a competent team member to be your OSHA roofing safety monitor.

Checklist in hand, these designated safety monitors trained in all OSHA roofing regulations ensure safe day to day operations. They will perform daily equipment inspections and safety measurements.

They also serve as a monitor of your employees by making sure your workers follow all OSHA safety regulations to prevent injury.

OSHA Roof Safety

According to federal labor law, an employer must provide an employee with a safe work environment. OSHA regulations are meant to guarantee the safety of all workers within the United States.

Failure to enforce OSHA roof safety regulations can result in unnecessary injury and liability. Make sure you provide the right equipment, follow the warning line rules, and appoint a safety monitor to ensure maximum worker safety.

For more information on roof safety or home improvement ideas, make sure to check out the rest of our blog.