Preventing Falls from Rooftops

1_Fall-safetyIn construction, falls from higher levels result in more deaths and injuries than any other cause. Many of these accidents are falls from rooftops. Always remember to use the following precautions when working on rooftops:

  1. Fall protection is REQUIRED for anyone working on roofs or other work areas where the distance to the ground or another surface is more than 6 feet.
  2. Roofing slide guards are NOT fall protection.
  3. If the fall arrest equipment looks like it needs repair, remove it from service and have a competent person examine it.
  4. Permanent anchorages can be installed during roofing operations and left in place after construction is complete. They must support 5,000 pounds for each employee attached by lanyard or lifeline.