OSHA 1910.28(b)(3)(i):

“Each employee must be protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level”, as per OSHA Code 1910.28(b)(3)(i).

According to OSHA, “Falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries and deaths among roofers. Working six feet or more above lower levels put roofers at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. A lack of fall protection, damaged fall protection equipment, or improper setup will increase their risk of falling from height.”

Solutions:

SRS offers multiple solutions to protect workers from the danger of falling through a skylight including:

1. Skylight Screens compliant with 1910.29(e):

• NextGen Skylight Safety-Screens™ - SRS has four different models of skylight screens which are manufactured for domed, corrugated and standing seam skylights. Screens meet a 200 to 400-pound-load requirement. Custom sizes are available in Galvanized or Stainless Steel.

2. Guardrail systems compliant with 1926.502(b):

• NextGen 3000™ Universal Guardrail – a non-penetrating, modular rooftop safety railing also available in custom lengths.
• KeeGuard^® Railing – a non-penetrating, modular rooftop safety railing with recycled PVC counterbalance weights.
• Kee Dome^® Skylight Railing - a non-penetrating, modular system which consists of PVC bases and posts with continuous rail.

3. Personal Fall Arrest Systems compliant with 1926.502(d):

• Mobile Fall Protection Penetrators which work by releasing spikes that pierce into the roof when a fall occurs by one of the workers who have connected to it.
• Roof Anchors such as the Hippo Anchor™ which is a free-standing, movable, non-penetrating, deadweight anchor system for use on roofs with up to 5-degree pitch.
• Harnesses and Lanyards compliant with 1910.140.

Additional OSHA Code Detail:

1926.501(b)(4)(i): Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes.

1910.29(e): The employer must ensure each cover for a hole in a walking-working surface is capable of supporting without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time; and is secured to prevent accidental displacement.

New OSHA Code: 1910.28(b)(3)(i) replaces OSHA Code: 1910.23(a)(4).