{"id":15339,"date":"2020-06-01T15:27:45","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T19:27:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roofingmagazine.com\/?p=15339"},"modified":"2020-06-01T15:28:11","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T19:28:11","slug":"skylight-safety-and-fall-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roofingmagazine.com\/skylight-safety-and-fall-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"Skylight Safety and Fall Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Options for protecting workers from the fall hazards associated with skylights include guardrails and skylight covers. Photos: Malta Dynamics<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The importance of fall protection for employees working at heights needs little introduction: falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in general industry and construction. One fall hazard in particular can be especially dangerous to construction workers on roofing jobsites: skylights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skylights are a popular feature in modern architecture, which tends to emphasize natural light and an unobstructed view of the sky. Skylights are increasingly becoming a part of the rooftop designs of homes and commercial buildings of all kinds, particularly in high-end construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of their prevalence, skylight hazards for construction workers have earned special attention from regulators and advocacy groups. A recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) alert from the Centers for Disease Control cites hundreds of lost-time injuries and dozens of fatalities caused by workers falling through skylights, existing roof openings, and existing floor openings. Most of these injuries occurred in the construction industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The report highlights the dangers of skylight-related falls during snow removal, when the skylights may be covered with snow and their positions can become difficult to judge. The report also cited several cases of falls related to skylights that were unguarded or unsecured during construction or repairs on a roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed standards intended to safeguard workers\u2014particularly in construction and general industry \u2014 who operate near skylights and roof and floor openings. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4) states: \u201cEach employee on walking\/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully there are many options for protecting workers from the fall hazards associated with skylights. Let\u2019s consider each of the types of solutions that OSHA recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal Fall Arrest Systems<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A personal fall arrest system should include a full body harness; connectors such as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), shock-absorbing lanyard, or vertical lifeline assembly; and an appropriate anchor point on the roof. There are permanent and temporary options when it comes to roof anchors. Which you choose will depend on whether you intend to install the anchor fixture permanently \u2014 if you own the building, for example \u2014 or simply need an anchor temporarily for a short-term job. Permanent anchors can be installed in wood, steel, and concrete surfaces, whereas reusable anchors can be installed with screws or nails and then removed with minimal damage to the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Temporary fall protection options include towable free-standing systems that can provide overhead tie-off for multiple workers.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are several good temporary options for fall protection anchors in rooftop applications that do not puncture the roof\u2019s surface, including roof carts and mobile fall protection units. A roof cart can be pulled around the roof\u2019s surface to provide anchorage to workers where it is needed; these typically use friction or puncture the roof in order to arrest a fall. Mobile fall protection units include road-towable, free-standing systems that can provide overhead tie-off for multiple workers up to 34 feet in the air without damaging the roof\u2019s surface even in the event of a fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Covers must meet the criteria set out in OSHA Standard 1926.502(i)(2): \u201ccovers shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time.\u201d This means that a cover must be able to support the weight of all workers who may be using the cover, plus all their gear and tools, times two. Covers need to be clearly marked either by color coding or with a word such as \u201cHOLE\u201d or \u201cCOVER.\u201d A cover also must be secured in such a way that wind, equipment, or the employees are not able to move it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guardrails<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guardrails are a great way to partition off areas where skylights present a fall risk, especially for rooftops where snow cover may obscure a worker\u2019s view of the hazardous area. Guardrails are classified as hazard barriers, acting as a physical barrier between the worker and the fall hazard. Portable, free-standing, and non-penetrating safety rail systems can be used as flat-roof fall protection along skylights and roof perimeters. These systems are easy to install and allow work crews the versatility to work around the existing infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to preparing the jobsite with appropriate covers or guardrails and outfitting workers with the necessary personal fall arrest systems, there are several general steps employers can take to identify and mitigate the risk of falls through skylights or roof and floor openings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n