Watch a webinar hosted by Chief Safety Officer, Michael McCarty.
The primary topic includes identifying rooftop hazards and recommended solutions. This video discusses rooftop worker safety, including the types of personnel involved, the hierarchy of fall protection, the ABCDs of worker safety, OSHA updates, OSHA versus IBC standards, rooftop hazards, penetrating versus non-penetrating worker safety systems, and inspection requirements.
Safety Webinar Summary:
The main points of the video are:
- Personnel involved in worker safety: There are three types of people involved in worker safety: authorized persons, competent persons, and qualified persons.
- An authorized person is an employee approved by their employer to use worker safety.
- A competent person is authorized to identify and correct hazards in the workplace.
- A qualified person is a person with a degree, certificate, or professional standing who can identify or solve problems related to worker safety, such as a professional engineer or a certified safety professional.
- Hierarchy of fall protection: The hierarchy of worker safety is a way to conceptualize the most and least effective ways to ensure worker safety, and it should be considered during both the planning phase and when doing work in the field. The most effective to least effective methods are:
- Eliminating the hazard: This involves removing the hazard altogether, so that worker safety is not needed. An example would be to bring a rooftop unit to the ground floor for servicing.
- Passive worker safety: This is a stationary, non-dynamic form of worker safety such as guardrails, that does not require training and is always in place.
- Active worker safety: This involves restraint and arrest systems, which require training and the use of the ABCDs of worker safety.
- Restraint isolates people from the hazard by not allowing them to go over the leading edge, such as using a short lanyard.
- Arrest stops a fall if one should occur, using a system designed to catch the person before they hit the ground.
- Administrative controls: These are the least effective method, and include verbal warnings, communication, and company policies.
- ABCs of fall protection: The ABCDs of worker safety are the components of a worker safety system.
- A stands for anchor: Anchors can be non-certified or certified.
- Non-certified anchors must meet a 5,000 pound load test.
- Certified anchors are designed by a qualified person, and the maximum arrest force exerted on the structure is multiplied by two for the design load.
- B stands for body wear: This is a full body harness that should have a dorsal d-ring, and may also have a chest d-ring, suspension rings, or work positioning rings. This is part of a fall arrest or restraint system.
- Harnesses should be inspected before each use, and at least annually by a qualified person.
- Harnesses should be comfortable and worn correctly, with all buckles clipped together.
- C stands for connector: This connects the harness to the anchor point, and includes lanyards, lifelines, and self-retracting lanyards (SRLs).
- The correct connector must be selected for the specific use and application.
- Clearance tables should be used to ensure that the user will not hit the ground in the event of a fall.
- D stands for descent and rescue: These are considerations that must be made for active worker safety systems. There must be communication between the fallen user and the rescuers, and rescue plans should be practiced.
- A stands for anchor: Anchors can be non-certified or certified.
- OSHA updates: OSHA updated their standards in 2018, which hadn’t been updated in 50 years, and this update clarified requirements for worker safety on rooftops.
- Fall protection is required anytime work is performed within 15 feet of the leading edge.
- Cages on ladders over 20 feet are no longer allowed, and a worker safety system is now required on ladders over 24 feet. The deadline to swap out all cages for some sort of personal fall arrest system is 2036.
- These changes are expected to reduce workplace fatalities and lost workday injuries.
- Many companies are adding vertical lifeline systems to ladders, perimeter guardrail systems, and controlled access zones.
- OSHA versus IBC: OSHA and IBC are different standards that apply to different situations.
- OSHA is the federal governing body that sets the rules and regulations for protecting employees. It requires worker safety for heights above 4 feet, including loading docks and rooftops. Worker safety is required for any work performed within 15 feet of the leading edge.
- IBC is the international building code, which is designed to make the environment safe for the general public. IBC requires worker safety if the roof hatch or mechanical equipment is within 10 feet of the leading edge.
- Because of the differences between these two standards, it is important to consider both when designing a building or worker safety system.
- Rooftop hazards: There are many hazards on rooftops that can cause falls.
- Leading edges are a common hazard, and any unprotected side of a rooftop is a potential hazard.
- Elevation changes of more than four feet between working surfaces should be protected by worker safety.
- Skylights are a major hazard, especially flush-mounted skylights that blend in with the roof surface.
- Roof hatches are also a hazard, and should have guardrail systems around them. They are often located near the corners of buildings, within 15 feet of the leading edge, which means that additional worker safety will be required at these locations.
- Access and egress points such as ladders, ship’s ladders, crossovers, ramps, and stairways should be carefully considered, especially in cold storage facilities where ammonia leaks could occur.
- Penetrating versus freestanding worker safety: There are two main types of worker safety systems: penetrating and freestanding.
- Penetrating systems are fastened to the roof structure, and require analysis of the substrate and attachment method. These systems may require a professional engineer, and can create potential leaks.
- Freestanding systems are generally permanent solutions that do not penetrate the roof. These systems are often pre-engineered and heavy, and require analysis of the structure to ensure correct placement.
- Inspection requirements: Worker safety systems should be inspected or audited regularly.
- Authorized persons should inspect their harness, anchor, and connector before each use.
- Non-users of the worker safety system should have an annual inspection.
- Worker safety systems need to be tested every five years, and rope descent systems need to be tested every 10 years.
- All systems are tested to 2,500 pounds.
In conclusion, it is important to use the hierarchy of fall protection to determine the most effective ways to protect workers on rooftops. It is important to have a good understanding of the ABCDs of worker safety, and to choose the correct equipment for the specific situation, and to be aware of OSHA and IBC standards and rooftop hazards, as well as the pros and cons of penetrating and freestanding systems. Regular inspections of worker safety systems are also very important.
Need help? Reach out to the EDGE team today.
