2. If you have an access ladder at the roof edge on a low-slope roof, conventional fall protection is required from the roof edge to the safe distance for the given situation (frequent/infrequent). Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. In sum, the use of warning lines closer than 15 feet from the edge is not permitted as a substitute for conventional fall protection for these other trades. There are OSHA rules defining safe distances from the edge of a roof and the degree of protection required. Directorate of Construction, Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Employees exposed to these heights must have fall protection.  Standards indicate the following rooftop fall protection options for both the construction and general industry: Keep in mind that if employees are working over dangerous equipment, machinery, or any other hazard where they could fall, then they must have roofing edge protection or machine guarding.  There is no minimum height in these situations. The Roof Edge Delineator Cone system is designed to provide a quick and easy OSHA compliant Roof Warning Line System. Further information on falls is in the Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces, the Code of Practice: Preventing falls in housing construction and Scaffolds and scaffolding work Guidance materials. Roof Work Changes. The most common question asked when assessing the potential hazard is: “What is a safe distance to maintain when performing work on an unprotected roof edge?” The final rule answers that question and adds additional clarification by dividing low-slope roof work into three distinct categories. OSHA defines what fall protection is required based on how close employees are to the edge of the roof: Less than 6 feet from the roof edge: Employers are to ensure that each employee is protected from falling by using fall protection systems such as guardrails, safety net system, fall restraint or fall arrest systems. Question 1(b): Would it be permissible to use warning lines 6 feet back from the edge and designate the area inside the lines as a Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) instead of providing conventional fall protection for these workers while within the CAZ? The regulation states that work at less than 6 feet from the roof edge requires conventional means of protection (guardrail, PFAS, etc.). These updated regulations stand to have a major impact on maintaining a compliant fall protection program. ADP Marshall Construction This is in response to your fax submitted on September 2, 2003, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and as a follow-up to a telephone conversation on September 22, 2003. There is no distance OSHA deems as a safe distance from a roof edge, so technically you should be protected at all times. Question (1)(a): Is there a safe distance from the edge of a roof for construction workers doing work while on a roof (but not engaged in roofing, residential, pre-cast erection, or leading edge work)? We have paraphrased your questions as follows: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance, Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Question (1)(a): Is there a safe distance from the edge of a roof for construction workers doing work while on a roof (but not engaged in roofing, residential, pre-cast erection, or leading edge work)? Therefore, the construction workers installing fixtures or equipment may not utilize a CAZ as a substitute for conventional fall protection. OSHA 1910 Fall Protection OSHA 1910 regulation update 2016 OSHA 1910 Fall Protection, ... and distance from the edge of the roof. This includes guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, and safety nets. The employer may use a designated area when performing work that is both infrequent and temporary. 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