Working on the roof

Tom Dunlap

Tom Dunlap

Here from the beginning
Administrator
Location
Retired in Minneapolis
In another thread, http://tinyurl.com/ycmkj6 , the limbs had to be lowered to the roof of the house. That meant that the groundies became roofies.

What policies are used when working on a roof?

Are the workers required to be secured against falling?
Are the workers in a fall arrest or work positioning system?
Who doesn't require roofies to be secured?
 
Working on a roof would give me a false sense of security. Add some wood chips and a little bit of bar oil and you start to re-think what the heck you are doing up there.
 
That is why I had my guys tie in to a tree. They set their climbing knot about a foot from the edge. And then put a prusik cord at the spot where they would mostly be working. That way at their 2 main points they would be secure, but have freedom of movement around the roof. Plus, we had a blower on the roof to keep it clear of twigs, needles, and saw dust.

From what I seen their ropes didnt get in the way, much, on limbs being lowered.

The roof wasn't overly steep. One could walk on it fairly easily without being tied in. But due to the amount of time and work we were doing on it, they appreciated being secured.
 
Over here when working at hts exceeding 1.8m a fall arrest system needs to be used ... many roofing guys bolt a 3 rail thing up under theeaves which goes right around the roof.

Pitched tin roofs early in the morning have dew on them ... mighty slippery to work on, tiles not so bad unless wet/mossy. Definately need a fall prevention protection system by OHS law.

This PDF Risk Assessment is ready to be implemented in your workplace Tom

http://info.anu.edu.au/HR/OHS/Risk_Assessment/_work_on_roofs.pdf

And this PDF pretty much spells out the regs and what to do depending on type of roof and pitch.

http://www.workcover.act.gov.au/pdfs/guides_cop/code_of_practice_safe_working_on_roofs_part2.pdf
 
Fall Arrest? Specifically fall arrest or one of the other facets of fall protection? A fall arrest absorbing lanyard used on a single story house, would allow for the victim to still have an intimate encounter with terra firma.
ie

Fall Protection:
-Fall Arrest
-work positioning
-fall restriction
 
Thats what I was going to point out Mangoes.

It depends on the stability of the roof. If its a fragile surface, some other form of platform or higher anchor would need to be set.

If the roof is not fragile, it is normal procedure to use 'work restraint' techniques - you have just enough rope to stop you hanging yourself (falling over the edge), like someone else just mentioned (can't remember the name and now I'm in the post box, sorry!).

Thats better - edit function!

Like Climbhightree's example.
grin.gif


Depends on the type of roof - its scary what people will take for granted will not give way!
 
No. Just read both threads again. Climb highs guys were using work positioning, not work restraint. Work restraint is never suspended. Fall arrest is always the last resort to fall protection hierarchy. This explains it well:

http://www.irata.org/uploads/healthandsa...1-4%2005%20.pdf

Work positioning in this case was the correct option. As they were trained treeworkers, its ok to be tied to a tree. Technically in the UK under the work at height regulations, ANY work at height should be protected by double lines and anchors. Thats not reasonably practicable or often possible with tree work - just creates other risks. But you must prove your control measures are justifed through your risk assessment and method statements.
crazy.gif
 
Dunlapian Wordsmithing: with the verb negative, securing is a given, and failure to require it is strongly suspect, if not an outright violation of ethical behavior. Let's crank it back a notch, Tom.

"Who doesn't require roofies to be secured?"

I often don't. If footing is kept clear with a blower etc and it is dry and it is fairly flat and if no big chunks are swinging around, I see no need. I've had myself, employees, subs, and dependents work on rooves with no incidents. Gear is available to tie into the chimney or whatever's handy, if needed. It seldom if ever is, for pruning work.

Roofers here would be amazed if they were told to tie in. There'd be a hue and cry about overregulation. I guess we're just backward.
shakinghead.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Roofers here would be amazed if they were told to tie in. There'd be a hue and cry about overregulation. I guess we're just backward.
shakinghead.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I wonder if they'll be thinking about their wife and kids as their head impacts the pavement? I wonder if their employer shrugs like an idiot when he has to explain why he died? I wonder how it would affect the conscience of those who knew better after several years.

I have a professional and moral duty of care toward any employee or subcontractor under my instruction, to ensure they are always tied in with the proper tools when working at height. No one knows when its their time to die - the trouble is, you think you have time. Heaven help me, I just don't want my death or suffering, or anyone elses in my care, to be because of my professional or moral negligence.
hisboids.gif
 
"Roofers here would be amazed if they were told to tie in. There'd be a hue and cry about overregulation. I guess we're just backward."

OSHA requires anyone who works above ground to have some sort of fall protection system. There are many options that range from rope and harness systems to using netting or fencing. The OSHA regulations set out the configuration of the workplace. If the floor is flat and the workers aren't close to the edge, fencing or safety roping is sufficient. The steeper the work area the more secure the fall protection system is needed.

In addition, sections 8.1.19 and 8.1.20 of the Z133 require that anyone working aloft must be secured. Like it or not...I can't crank it back...those are the requirements. It is up to everyone to choose how they work.
 
A few years ago I was one of three climbers in tress at a job. Suddenly a state police helicopter appeared and circled our location 3 times with a rescue person looking out of the open side door of the chopper. He looked to be no more than one hundred feet away and was obviously looking at us in the trees with great interest.

The chopper then flew down the street a block and landed in a field behind a house. A roofer had fallen to his death off of a two story house landing in the paved driveway.
 
I figured Osha must have a similar brief to the UK in this repect Tom. Thanks for clarification.

And sobering thoughts TreeCo.
frown.gif
 
A college professor of mine and two carpenters that I know have fallen off roofs with no sawdust, twigs or debris and broken hips and legs.

Working on a roof with some sort of tie in can be a bit of a hassle but consider the alternatives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom