03 Sep Flat Roofing Safety

Flat Roofing Safety

Flat or low-slope roofs may appear safer than steep roofs, but employees are still exposed to serious and potentially fatal falls from roof edges, openings, skylights, access points, and other elevated surfaces. Roofing materials, equipment, weather conditions, and changing work areas can create additional hazards.

Before roofing work begins, the fall hazards must be evaluated and the appropriate fall-protection system established before employees are exposed to the hazard.

Fall Protection

Employees performing roofing work on low-slope roofs must be protected from falls as required by the applicable OSHA standard and the company’s Fall Protection Program.

Depending on the work and conditions, protection may include:

• Guardrail systems.
• Safety-net systems.
• Personal fall-arrest systems.
• Travel-restraint systems.
• Warning-line systems used with another permitted fall-protection method.
• Safety-monitoring systems where specifically permitted by OSHA.
• Other approved fall-protection systems appropriate for the work.

Do not assume that a parapet, warning line, or other roof feature provides adequate fall protection without first verifying that it meets applicable requirements.

Warning-Line Systems

For Federal OSHA construction work on low-slope roofs, warning-line systems used for roofing work must meet specific requirements.

Warning lines must:

• Be erected around all sides of the roof work area.
• Be positioned at least 6 feet from the roof edge when mechanical equipment is not being used.
• When mechanical equipment is being used, be at least 6 feet from the edge parallel to the direction of equipment operation and at least 10 feet from the edge perpendicular to the direction of operation.
• Consist of rope, wire, chain, or equivalent material.
• Be flagged with highly visible material at intervals of 6 feet or less.
• Be supported so the lowest point, including sag, is at least 34 inches and the highest point no more than 39 inches above the walking/working surface.
• Have a minimum tensile strength of 500 pounds.
• Be attached to stanchions so pulling on one section does not create slack in adjacent sections.

Employees must be trained to recognize the warning line and understand the restrictions that apply to work outside it.

Work Outside the Warning Line

A warning line is not a physical barrier that will stop a fall.

Employees should not enter the area between a warning line and an unprotected roof edge unless their work requires them to do so and the required fall-protection measures are in place.

When work must be performed near the edge, use the fall-protection method established for that task.

Roof Access and Material-Handling Areas

Safe access must be provided between roof access points, storage areas, material-handling areas, and the work area.

When warning lines are used:

• Provide a clearly defined access path to the work area.
• Use two warning lines to identify the access path where required.
• When the access path is not being used, close the entrance to the work area with a warning line or equivalent barrier.
• Keep ladders and other roof access points properly positioned and secured.
• Keep access routes free of materials, cords, hoses, tools, and other trip hazards.

Employees should never carry loads that prevent them from maintaining safe footing or seeing the walking surface.

Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical equipment creates additional hazards on low-slope roofs.

When operating roofing equipment:

• Follow manufacturer instructions and company procedures.
• Inspect equipment before use.
• Keep equipment within designated operating areas.
• Maintain required distances from unprotected roof edges.
• Never operate equipment in a manner that requires an employee to back toward an unprotected edge unless adequate protection has been provided.
• Keep unauthorized employees away from equipment operating areas.
• Secure equipment when it is not in use.
• Consider the combined weight of equipment, employees, and roofing materials to ensure the roof can safely support the load.

Mechanical equipment should be used or stored only in areas permitted by the applicable fall-protection system.

Roof Openings and Skylights

Roof openings and skylights can present the same fall hazard as an unprotected roof edge.

• Protect holes and openings with compliant covers or guardrail systems.
• Secure covers against accidental displacement.
• Clearly identify covers as required.
• Never step, sit, stand, or place materials on a skylight unless it has been specifically designed and verified to support the imposed load.
• Do not assume a skylight dome or glazing will support a worker.

Weather and Surface Conditions

Flat roofs can become extremely hazardous during adverse weather.

Stop or modify work when conditions such as the following make the work unsafe:

• High winds.
• Rain or standing water.
• Ice, frost, or snow.
• Lightning.
• Excessive heat.
• Poor visibility.

Loose roofing materials can become airborne during high winds and should be secured.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is especially important on roofs because even a minor trip can result in a fall from the roof edge.

• Keep walking and working areas clear.
• Route electrical cords, hoses, and equipment away from travel paths when practical.
• Remove scrap and waste regularly.
• Secure lightweight materials against wind.
• Keep materials away from roof edges and openings.
• Maintain clear access to ladders, stairs, and other means of egress.

Personal Protective Equipment

Employees must wear PPE appropriate for the roofing operation and hazards present. Depending on the work, this may include:

• Hard hats.
• Safety glasses or goggles.
• Work gloves.
• Slip-resistant safety footwear.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection when required.
• Full-body harnesses and associated fall-protection equipment when required.

Personal fall-protection equipment must be inspected before each use and removed from service if damaged or subjected to fall-arrest forces.

Training

Employees performing roofing work must receive appropriate fall-protection training before exposure to fall hazards. Training should include:

• Recognition of roof-edge, opening, and skylight hazards.
• Fall-protection systems used on the project.
• Warning-line requirements and restricted areas.
• Proper use and inspection of personal fall-protection equipment.
• Safe use of roofing machinery and equipment.
• Roof access and material-handling procedures.
• Emergency and fall-rescue procedures.
• Site-specific hazards and changing conditions.

Remember

A flat roof is still an elevated working surface. Never allow the appearance of a level surface to create a false sense of security. Identify the fall hazards before work begins, establish the required protection, stay within designated work areas, and never approach an unprotected edge without appropriate fall protection.