Rooftop Fall Protection: What Are My Options?

Picking out a rooftop fall protection system can be a little overwhelming because most safety personnel know that they need to protect rooftop workers, but they don’t always know what the best solution might be. As a result, some people may feel it’s easier to simply avoid finding a fall protection system that could easily meet their needs. However, there are a lot of options that can be applied with relative ease to meet a variety of workplace needs.

Roof Anchorages

Single Use, Re-Usable, and Permanent Roof Anchors
If there is a quick task that needs to be tackled on a roof, one of the fastest and easiest ways to provide fall protection is to install a single use roof anchor. When a rooftop project is going to take several days, using a re-usable roof anchor is a good option for providing fall protection. And if there is an area on a roof that will require frequent maintenance, a permanent roof anchor can be installed. All styles of Rigid Lifelines roof anchors are lightweight and relatively easy to install. The anchorage devices get nailed into the roof and then a worker attaches the full body harness they’re wearing to the roof anchor with either an energy absorbing lanyard or a self-retracting lanyard. If work only needs to be done in one area, then only one anchorage point is needed. However, if a worker needs to perform tasks in several areas, it may be helpful to install several other roof anchors to ensure that workers can safely transition between various work areas. 

XSPlatforms 

XS Single Anchor Systems
If you are frequently visiting a few specific areas on a rooftop for regular maintenance or inspection, you may want to consider installing a series of single anchor points like the XS Globe Eye or the XS Impact 360° Single Anchor. These anchorage devices only require one hole to be drilled into the roof during the installation process. The XS Globe Eye and XS Impact can be used as a point-to-point connection system if there are several specific locations that need maintenance or inspection on the roof.

XS Linked Cable Systems
When there are long stretches of a rooftop area that need to be inspected and maintained, the XSPlatforms Linked Cable System is an excellent option for providing rooftop fall protection. Thanks to the design of the anchorage points, a worker who is connected to the system can remain connected to the fall protection lifeline as they move across almost any distance. The cables can be linked to create a full perimeter of horizontal mobility around the entire roof surface. Or, the cables can be linked to provide a specific area with fall protection coverage. There are many different anchorage layouts that can be used, depending upon what parts of the roof need to be accessed.

XS Guardrail
XSPlatforms offers three different freestanding models of guardrails. The lines of XS Guardrails are available in a straight model (XS Fixed), a foldable model (XS Flex), and the attractive rounded model (XS Curved). The XS Fixed model is a standard straight guardrail that provides preventative access to potential fall hazards. If you want the benefits of fall prevention without impacting the appearance of the building’s roofline, the XS Flex guardrail model can be folded up when needed and then folded down and out of sight when not in use.  The XS Curved is a rounded guardrail that is both appealing to the eye and keeps people further away from the edge of a building than the straight guardrails. Guardrails are a wonderful option for providing passive fall protection from a fall hazard. When a rooftop can support a guardrail system, this is usually the best option. If it’s possible to prevent a person from accessing the fall hazard, this is usually the preferred course of action. Guardrails do not require any type of training because they are a permanent fixture on a building. Prior to applying a guardrail, you must consult with a structural engineer to establish whether or not the roof can support the guardrail devices.

When it comes to rooftop fall protection, there are many different ways to protect the people who need to work at that height. Make sure that you consult with a fall protection professional and conduct a thorough worksite fall hazard analysis prior to selecting your system. Conducting a thorough fall hazard analysis will make it easier to make your system decision accurately and efficiently. Make sure that you discuss your options with a structural engineer to determine whether or not your roof can support your desired system.

Until the next time, stay safe up there!

Do you have other ways that you keep workers safe while they work on a rooftop? Tell us about your solutions in the comment box below!