OSHA Regulations for Roof Hatches, Skylights and Other Rooftop Holes

In the course of normal business operations workers will, if only occasionally, need to access your facility's rooftop, and that means you’ll need the proper fall protection in place. While you're well aware that the leading edge poses a serious fall hazard, your roof fall protection efforts need to cover the entire roof. Every square inch of your rooftop can be dangerous, but roof hatches, skylights, and other rooftop openings are of particular concern. Protecting workers from falling through these openings while still maintaining adequate access to perform their duties can be a challenge. But, by carefully reviewing and implementing OSHA regulations, you can ensure a safe, compliant workplace.

Duty to Provide Fall Protection

You're required to provide fall protection for your employees anytime they're working at a height of 4' or more. It's no surprise then, that you need to make sure you provide adequate, OSHA-compliant roof fall protection whenever workers access the rooftop. This is true whether the work being done is infrequent or happens on a regular basis.

Fall Protection Systems and Devices for Roof Openings

The OSHA regulations for fall protection on rooftops require you to identify and minimize fall hazards to the best of your ability. Some of the areas that need the most attention are the easiest to overlook, including roof access points like roof hatches and ladders, skylights, and other openings in the roof. OSHA has specific rules for these types of openings, and it's up to you to make sure you're compliant. Some fall protection steps you may take include:

• Installing roof hatch guard rails.
• Using skylight protection like screens and guardrails.
• Incorporating safety gates at roof entry points.
• Providing safety training for employees.

Roof Hatches

Accessing the rooftop will likely require workers to climb up a ladder towards and through a roof hatch. Once the hatch is open, workers are able to ascend to the roof where they can get to work. When the roof hatch is closed, there's less danger of anyone falling into the opening. However, when it's open, the risk of falls is high. Keeping workers safe includes the following:

• Installation of roof hatch guard rails around the exposed sides of the roof hatch. Safety rails are required to be 42" (plus or minus 3") from the walking/working surface. Railings must be made of strong material designed to withstand a downward force of 200 lbs without deflecting to less than 39". Guardrails also have to be smooth, so they don't grab workers’ clothing, skin, or personal fall protection equipment.
• Use of a swing gate or offset at the roof hatch entry point. Because an open hatch door is a severe fall hazard, it's important to keep workers from getting too close. This is best accomplished with a safety gate.
• In addition to the roof hatch guard rails and gates noted here, it may also be necessary to provide workers with personal fall arrest devices if they're working close to or over the open hatch. If it's not feasible to install a safety gate and guardrail, personal fall protection may be your only option.

Skylights

It's easy to see that a roof hatch is a roof opening, but so are skylights. This is an often-overlooked fall hazard on the rooftop simply because people don't accurately assess the potential for danger. Skylights are made of glass or plastic and those materials simply are not strong enough to hold significant weight. Training employees to safely traverse skylights is the first step in improving safety. In addition, OSHA skylight protection guidelines require:

• Safety rails that are 42" tall, can withstand 200 lbs of force, and are smooth and free of snags are the most commonly accepted OSHA fall protection for skylights. Not only will a safety railing keep people from falling into the skylight; it will also keep objects from also falling.
• Skylight screens made of wire mesh are an alternative to safety rails for protecting your skylights. According to OSHA, screens must be capable of withstanding twice the intended weight load without failure. The intended load is the expected combined weight of workers, tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Personal fall protection may also be necessary to protect workers near skylights. This can include a personal fall arrest system, or a travel restraint system. Regardless of which type you use, it's vital that your devices meet all the standards set forth by OSHA and that your workers are trained on their proper use.

Other Roof Holes and Openings

While roof hatches and skylights are the most obviously dangerous roof openings that someone can fall through, your roof likely has other holes that need to be addressed. According to OSHA, a roof hole is any space in the roof that is 2" or more at its smallest. The reason for being concerned with seemingly small holes is that they present trip and fall hazards for workers. Some things to consider include:

• Small holes caused by decay or damage, like other openings in your rooftop should be permanently repaired or covered in order to eliminate the fall hazard. Any material that you use to cover or repair these spaces in the roof need to be able to withstand twice the maximum intended load.
• Even small roof holes can cause stability issues for ladders and other equipment, and it's imperative that workers are able to identify these risky areas. If avoidance isn't possible, holes need to be covered as mentioned above, or workers need to have additional personal safety equipment.

Expert Advice and OSHA Approved Roof Fall Protection

When deciding which types of roof fall protection you need, it's always a good idea to consult a competent partner with fall safety experience and training. BlueWater Manufacturing is an industry leader in OSHA approved safety systems and devices designed to protect workers on rooftops. Contact us today to learn more about how to keep workers safe around roof hatches, skylight protection, and roof holes and for help choosing the right roof fall protection for every application.