Keeping workers safe

As a roofing contractor and business owner, you constantly are making choices. For example, are you going to implement a comprehensive fall-protection program, provide the necessary equipment and feel assured each employee has been trained to perform a safe job, or do you take chances, save money and hope no one falls? Clearly, the better decision is the former, but fall-protection options aren't always presented in a clear-cut way. However, being aware of the best and most up-to-date fall-protection safety equipment available will help.

Most roofing contractors are familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) rules for fall protection in the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.500 Subpart M) that went into effect in 1995. OSHA standards applicable to the construction industry, including roofing, are set forth in CFR 1926. General industry standards are set forth in CFR 1910. In some areas, the sections are the same.

OSHA's goal is to increase the level of protection for construction employees against injuries from falls. Falls remain a leading cause of injury and workers' compensation and general liability insurance losses.

Skylight protection and finding anchorage points for personal fall-protection systems are especially problematic. OSHA rules require employers to protect workers from falling into or through holes and openings in floors and walls and guard floor openings by a standard railing and toeboards or a cover capable of supporting twice the maximum intended load.

Many construction-related fatalities could have been prevented had appropriate fall protection been in place. Consider the following examples:

• A 37-year-old roofing worker died after he stepped through a partially covered skylight opening and fell 27 feet (8.2 m). The victim was installing rolled rubber roofing material on a large building that contained 35 unguarded 4- by 4-foot (1.2- by 1.2-m) openings where domed, smoke-vent skylights were to be installed. While handling a roll of roofing material, the victim stepped back and fell through an opening that was partially covered by another roll of roofing material.
  
  
• A 26-year-old roofing worker died when he fell 25 feet (7.6 m) through a domed, smoke-vent skylight to a concrete floor. The victim was installing a spray-on roof covering and applying granular material at the time. He stepped back and stumbled over the curb of the skylight, lost his balance and fell backward onto the skylight. The plastic dome broke from his weight.
  
  
• A 21-year-old roofing foreman died after he fell 26 feet (7.9 m) through a roof opening in a building under construction. A 14-inch- (355.6-mm-) high curb was installed around a 6- by 12-foot (1.8- by 3.6-m) opening on which the victim was installing flashing. As he stood up, he tripped over the curb and fell through the opening to the concrete floor.

Fall-protection equipment constantly is evolving as new data and technology become available. To assist roofing professionals, Professional Roofing compiled a limited list of manufacturers that offer unique or innovative products. Note that a manufacturer may offer more products than what is presented in this article. You should visit individual manufacturers' Web sites and contact them directly for more information.

Inclusion of a product in this article does not imply endorsement by NRCA or Professional Roofing. NRCA and Professional Roofing do not possess or maintain any information about these products' performance records. The article's purpose is to offer some available options for unusual situations and present new and/or improved products.

Skylights and hatch openings

The Bil-Guard Hatch rail system made by The Bilco Co., New Haven, Conn., is a fixed railing system that provides a permanent means of fall protection for hatch openings. According to the company, the product has been tested and proved to meet and exceed OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23. It features an innovative attachment system that does not penetrate the roof membrane, installs quickly and easily using basic tools, and does not require special training or certification for proper installation. It has a quick-mount bracket for attachment to the curb of the hatch and pivoting mounting sleeve for installation flexibility. Depending on the size and model, the price range is $700 to $1,000.

The KeeGuard skylight railing system from Kee Industrial Products Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., installs around rooftop skylights to protect against falling. It is a freestanding railing system that installs without penetrating a roof membrane. This product reportedly meets OSHA CFR 29 1910.23. The system does not block light from a skylight, and the railing system can be installed so it is not visible through the skylight. Prices start at $550.

The Saf-T-Screen model STS available from TruFast Corp., Bryan, Ohio, is a metal screen system that is attached to the outer frame of curb-mounted domed skylights to protect against injuries or death from accidental falls through a skylight lens. The product is designed and tested to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23 (a)(4) and (e)(8). Prices range from $100 to $350 depending on material and size. The product can be purchased through The Safety Rail Source, Harleysville, Pa.

Chanhassen, Minn.-based BlueWater Manufacturing Inc.'s SR2K roof hatch system is a nonpenetrating system that reportedly fully complies with OSHA regulations. It can be used to protect roof hatches, skylights, fire vents and floor doors. According to the company, the product has a gate assembly that requires no drilling into any surface for installation. The SR2K is sold in kits by size (5 1/2 feet [1.7 m], 7 1/2 feet [2.3 m] and 10 feet [3 m]) and includes a base, rail and two pins. Prices start at $790.

Plymouth, Minn.-based Garlock Equipment Co.'s Railguard 200 can be used for skylight protection and sets up in minutes without drilling holes in the roof and without using tools. Although portable, it reportedly meets OSHA requirements for a permanent guardrail. It comes in lengths of 5 feet (1.7 m), 7 1/2 feet (2.3 m) and 10 feet (3 m). The system includes four parts: a rail, two pins and a base. Starting prices range from $1,100 to $1,200.

Roof anchor products

Protective Roofing Products Ltd., Ontario, has a unique product called PR-600. It is a mobile fall-protection system that clamps to a standard utility roof cart and is designed to be used on low-slope roof systems. Turning the handle on the wheel jack lifts the ballast weight and lowers the pivot arms so they touch the roof deck, setting the fall-protection system in place. It provides fall arrest for two workers and fall restraint for one worker and is said to meet OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 D. The system starts at about $1,300; a roof trailer is about $400; and each 9-pound (4-kg) ballast weight costs about $55.

Kent, Wash.-based Guardian Fall Protection's CB series of roof anchors is an all-in-one rooftop system. According to the company, this permanent anchor is coated with an indestructible polyurethane, and the base has been engineered with a patented "one-base design" to fit wood, steel and/or concrete. The CB Series Pass-Thru System can be run as a continuous line through a number of anchors, giving up to four workers a walking path and eliminating the need to clip and unclip lines while working on rooftops. Depending on the model chosen, prices range from $54 to $244.

The Ridge-It Anchor is used for residential construction as an easy-to-install tie-off point for one worker. The price ranges from $21 to $656 depending on height and color.

DBI/SALA, Red Wing, Minn., has a number of roof anchor products. According to the company, its reusable roof anchor can be used on the roof of a residential or commercial wood frame structure without causing damage. Its permanent roof anchor (2103670) can be used on open trusses, joists and rafters and comes with flashings. The company also has a portable, removable, reusable roof anchor (2105683) for low- or steep-slope wood and metal decks that features a swiveling design and provides 360-degree mobility and accommodates a 30- or 50-foot (9- or 15-m) lifeline that can be ordered separately. All anchors are said to meet or exceed OSHA standards. Prices range from under $50 to less than $225.

A worthy investment

Knowing what's available and spending money proactively for the latest fall-protection equipment will help your company achieve maximum efficiency—your employees will be safe and you will avoid hefty OSHA fines while improving profitability.

Leslie Kazmierowski is NRCA's insurance programs manager.

Company contact information

The Bilco Co.
P.O. Box 1203
New Haven, CT 06505
(203) 934-6363
www.bilco.com

Bluewater Manufacturing Inc.
7914 Kerber Blvd.
P.O. Box 203
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(866) 898-5237
www.bluewater-mfg.com

DBI/SALA
3965 Pepin Ave.
Red Wing, MN 55066
(800) 328-6146
www.salagroup.com

Garlock Equipment Co.
2601 Niagra Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
(800) 328-9522
www.railguard.net

Guardian Fall Protection
26513 79th Ave. S.
Kent, WA 98042
(800) 466-6385
www.guardianfall.com

Kee Industrial Products Inc.
100 Stradtman St.
Buffalo, NY 14206
(716) 896-4949
www.keeklamp.com

Protective Roofing Products Ltd.
10 Pinelands Ave.
Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, LAE 385
(800) 560-3093
www.prplimited.com

TruFast Corp.
02105 Williams Court Road 12-C
Bryan, OH 43506
(800) 443-9602
www.trufast.com