In their desire to reduce the fatalities in the residential construction workplace, the fall protection guidelines have been updated by the OSHA. Protection using guard-rail systems, safety nets systems, or personal fall arrest systems are now required if a worker will be working on a residential roofing job which is higher than 6 feet in the air. It is required that an employer come up with a fall protection plan if he thinks that using these fall protection systems is more hazardous to the workers. A qualified person has to approve this fall protection plan, and every change made to the plan has to be re-approved by a qualified person.
A guardrail system has to be in place or be tied off if a worker is working in an aerial lift or boom-type platform including scissor lifts and bucket trucks. Here are some of the methods for tie-offs that are acceptable.
A body belt or a harness is used for a restraint system. If a worker is to be prevented from falling any distance then there must be a fall protection plan in place.
Positioning devices are used in construction work. This body belt or harness system allows the worker to be supported on a vertical surface like a pole and work while leaning and having hid hands free. This positioning device will allow a maximum fall of up to 2 feet Since workers om scissor lifts and bucket trucks work on a horizontal platform they are not allowed to use the positioning device.
In construction work, fall arrest systems are also used. This allows an arrested fall when the aerial lift or scaffold is able to withstand vertical and lateral loads caused by an arrested fall. This system uses a body harness rather than a bolt belt.
The OSHA is enforcing these guidelines. If worker use proper safety procedures and equipment, then it can prevent unnecessary deaths due to falls. Workers safety is the primary concern of workers in these industries. Authorities impose penalties on companies that do not use safety methods. There are some companies that allow workers to work on roofs without fall protection and these companies are fined huge amounts for not complying. Workers getting injured or dies after falling which could have easily been prevented by fall protection systems is a penalty to the company more severe than merely paying fines.
If you are looking for fall protection equipment or systems for your worker in a construction site, then you can find your resource online where you can find manufacturers of fall protection systems that you can sue for your company. If you are really concerned for the safety of your roof workers, then you should get fall protection systems so that they are not in danger of falling from he roof and you can buy these equipment in online stores that offer them in different kinds and qualities.