Osha Low Slope Roof Definition

This is important because the osha definition is used as a basis for implementing low slope fall protection measures such as warning.

Osha low slope roof definition.

Aerial lifts may be used to transport personnel so long as the requirements in 29 cfr 1926 453 which cover aerial lifts are met. Osha walking working surfaces standard low sloped roof fall protection defined low sloped roof is a term that osha felt it needed to be defined in its walking working surfaces update published november 18 2016. Roofing work on low slope roofs except as otherwise provided in paragraph b of this section each employee engaged in roofing activities on low slope roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet 1 8 m or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems safety net systems personal fall arrest systems or a. New questions are emerging about key provisions the occupational safety and health administration s updated rule to prevent falls.

Low slope roof means a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal. A ladder safety system usually consists of a carrier safety sleeve lanyard connectors and body harness. 29 cfr 1926 500 defines low slope roof as a roof having a slope less than or equal to 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal 29 cfr 1926 501 b 10 allows the use of a safety monitor on a low slope roof. Roof slope osha defines a low slope roof as a roof having a slope of less than or equal to 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches horizontal length 4 12 1926 500 b definitions.

Lower levels means those areas or surfaces to which an employee can fall. According to this definition a low slope roof has a pitch of less than 18 5. The difference between steep and low slope roofs is depicted in the image below. Effective january 17 2017 the final rule updating osha s general industry walking working surfaces standards permits certain work near the edge of low slope roofs without fall protection systems as long as the work is temporary relatively infrequent.

In our previous article about citations regarding the standard for steep roofs we pointed out that osha standard 1926 500 defines a steep roof as a roof that has a pitch of 18 5 or more. Cages and wells are not ladder safety systems. Low slope roof means a roof that has a slope less than or equal to a ratio of 4 in 12 vertical to horizontal. Such areas or surfaces include but are not limited to ground levels floors platforms ramps runways excavations pits tanks material water equipment structures.

A low sloped roof is defined as a slope equal or less than a ratio of 4 to 12.