June 16 is approaching fast – Avoid fines and injuries with Safety Gear from the Man Store.
With fines of ,000 for the first offense and ,000 for a second offense – you don’t want to be unprepared! The new OSHA roofing regulations require that workers engaged in residential construction six feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional 3m fall protection (i.e., guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems) or alternative measures for particular types of work.
Fall restraint systems may consist of a full body safety harness or body belt that is connected to an anchor point at the center of a roof by a lanyard of a length that will not allow a worker to physically reach the edge of the roof.
The Man Store is a CRCA member. We understand the importance of safety for roofers as well as the necessity for contractors to be compliant with the latest regulations. Fall protection consistently ranks among OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations. Below are some guidelines to help you choose the right gear for your job:
Anchorage: Does the work require horizontal mobility, or is it fixed work?
For increased mobility, a horizontal lifeline system is ideal. It is essentially a cable that spans the length of a work surface, which allows a worker to attach a connective device to their harness and tie-off. Lifelines keep productivity up, as workers won’t frequently need to disconnect and reconnect to other anchorage points.
Body Support: What level of quality and comfort do you require in a full body harness?
Harnesses are available to meet a variety of requirements. If cost effectiveness is the most important consideration, select a simple harness with basic features. Higher-end harnesses can be an advantage as they have more features, provide maximum comfort, and reduce fatigue – keeping productivity high. If a harness is comfortable and easy to use, it’s more likely workers will wear it.
Connectors: How much mobility is required? What kind of anchorage are they connecting to?
Lanyards are an option if cost is a factor. They don’t provide as much mobility, which will result in the worker needing to disconnect and reconnect to other anchors more frequently, but they are more economical. Life lines are a good option for heights over 6 feet.
Since there are roofing products available to help keep costs low, prevent damage and ensure high mobility and productivity – there’s really no reason for roofers and construction companies to overlook fall protection.