The Quick Job: 3 Fall Protection Rules for Residential Roofing

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The story

Eight A.M. on a new two-story house. Tony and Ray are nailing down roof sheathing on a steep roof, about eighteen feet above the driveway. The trusses are up, the weather is clear, and the boss says the roof will be done by lunch. There are no roof anchors yet. Nobody put them in, because this crew always gets a roof like this done fast. Tony steps down toward the eave to grab another sheet. The sheathing is dusty, and his boots are still wet from the morning dew.

What went wrong

1. One: no fall protection at all. Each employee engaged in residential construction activities six feet or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
2. Two: this was a steep roof. On a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges six feet or more above lower levels, the protection is guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
3. Three: a quick job is not an exception. Only when the employer can show these systems are infeasible or create a greater hazard may it use a written fall protection plan instead, and the employer must develop and follow that plan.
4. And the rule starts from a presumption that at least one of those systems is feasible. The burden is on the employer to prove a plan is appropriate.

Learn the full rules in the 25-minute Residential Construction Fall Protection course.

The same day, done right

• Here is the same morning, done right. Before any sheathing goes down, roof anchors go in, and Tony and Ray put on their harnesses.
• Each harness is inspected before each use for wear, damage and other deterioration.
• Each anchor can support at least five thousand pounds per worker attached, and the system is rigged so a worker can neither free fall more than six feet nor hit the level below.
• And because Ray is working below the roof edge, the employer has each employee exposed to falling objects wear a hard hat.

Quick check

1. At what height must workers doing residential construction be protected from falling?
2. On a steep roof, what must a guardrail system include?
3. When may an employer use a written fall protection plan instead of guardrails, nets, or fall arrest?

Show answers

1) 6 feet or more. 2) Toeboards. 3) When it can show the systems are infeasible or create a greater hazard.

Awareness training. The certificate records completion; it is not an OSHA card or a license. Sources: 29 CFR 1926.501, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M (eCFR). Photos: U.S. government via DVIDS (public domain): Airman Jonathan Whitely, Petty Officer 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Tech. Sgt. David Carbajal, Walt Jennings, Airman 1st Class Austin Stern. Appearance does not imply endorsement.

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Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.