Osha Low Slope Roof Requirements

Osha has designated three work zones on low slope roofs with unprotected edges that are four feet or more above a lower level.

Osha low slope roof requirements.

Osha walking working surfaces standard low sloped roof fall protection defined. Low slope roof 4 12 slope or less 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10. Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems. 1910 28 b 13 i when work is performed less than 6 feet 1 6 m from the roof edge the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by a guardrail system safety net system travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.

The extremely high danger zone less than six feet from the roof s edge requires one of the following. As explained below the answer is no. The roofing safety zones. Steep roof above 4 12 slope 29 cfr 1926 501 b 11.

Roof slope osha defines a low slope roof as a roof having a slope of less than or equal to 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches horizontal length 4 12 1926 500 b definitions. This is important because the osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning. Work on low slope roofs. 29 cfr 1926 500 defines low slope roof as a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10 allows the use of a safety monitor on a low slope roof.

Employers must provide the right equipment employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job including the right kinds of ladders scaffolds and safety gear. Low sloped roof is a term that osha felt it needed to be defined in its walking working surfaces update published november 18 2016. Slope is calculated by rise over run thus a low sloped roof is a roof where for every 12 units inches feet or meters measured horizontally run the roof does not increase or decrease by. Final paragraph b 13 is a new provision that establishes fall protection requirements when employees perform work on low slope roofs.

Osha s fall protection standard for construction 29 cfr part 1926 subpart m beginning at 1926 500 generally requires fall protection when there is a fall distance of 6 feet or more. A low sloped roof is defined as a slope equal or less than a ratio of 4 to 12.