by Brianna Crandall — May 20, 2015—The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released new guidance for protecting workers on roofing jobs, and updated a publication on protecting construction workers from falls.
Protecting Roofing Workers
Protecting Roofing Workers provides a general advisory overview of worker rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). It covers safe practices to prevent falls, other physical injuries, hazardous substance exposures, and injuries and illnesses related to environmental conditions.
The publication covers such topics as the use of fall restraint systems and guardrail systems, as well as warning lines and safety monitors; ladder safety, including stepladders and extension ladders; scaffolding safety, covering platforms and guardrails; the safe use of aerial lifts and all-terrain forklifts; electrical safety; integrity of older buildings; roofing tool safety; emergency action plans and more.
Fall Protection in Construction
OSHA also recently updated its Fall Protection in Construction publication, which is intended to help workers and employers understand the agency’s Fall Protection in Construction standard requirements and the criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces.
The publication covers employers’ responsibilities to provide fall protection; examples of fall protection requirements for certain construction activities such as leading edges, overhand bricklaying and related work, and working on steep roofs; conventional fall protection systems such as guardrail, safety net and personal fall arrest systems; positioning device systems; fall restraint systems; fall protection plans, OSHA assistance and more.
According to OSHA, falls accounted for more than 3,500 fatalities in the construction industry between 2003 and 2013, with more than 30 percent of those deaths caused by falls from roofs.
OSHA also held its second annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction May 4-15. The Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event intended to raise awareness about fall hazards in the construction industry.
