Test time!
Whether you are in a classroom or hospital bed the specter of a test can be a frightening prospect.
Then again, if you paid attention and studied in school, you should do well on your exam. If you have followed your doctor’s orders—nutrition, exercise, rest—you will hopefully have a clean bill of health.
Educational and healthcare institutions also share a commitment to the well-being of their students and patients and the safety of their employees. Often overlooked are the maintenance workers, without whom, the facilities would not function properly.
This is especially true for essential heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC), and other building services equipment, typically located on the rooftop of classroom buildings, dormitories, dining areas, and sports venues on campuses, and healthcare facilities from hospitals to clinics. Building and safety managers who pay attention to OSHA-compliant fall protection will pass the test for safeguarding their workers.
Keep roof openings from being a close call.
OSHA defines a skylight as a hole in the roof, and there have been too many tragedies of workers and non-authorized personnel (e.g., students) falling through a skylight. When access to the roof is through a hatch—used at least twice for any task conducted on the roof—workers must be protected from falling through this opening.
Skylight screens, skylight railings, and roof hatch kits will provide OSHA-compliant fall protection for roof openings. Skylight screens fit over a skylight without blocking the sunshine. Skylight railings surround the skylight. Roof hatch railing kits enclose the hatch on three sides. A self-closing gate protects the other side used for egress and ingress.
Walk the path of greatest advantage.
Traversing a rooftop can present several hazards from a wet or icy surface to obstacles (e.g., cables, conduits, piping, ductwork). Rooftop walkway systems and crossover platforms provide safe, stable, and sure footing for workers.
Walkways have galvanized steel bases and frames for strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. They are fitted with anti-slip treads for all walking surfaces—steps, pathways, platforms—with the pedestrian load distributed uniformly over the system. Walkways can also have guardrails on one or both sides for added fall protection.
Crossover (or stepover) platforms are an ingenious configuration of frames, anti-slip treads, and guardrails used in walkways. Modular and easily customized, they can enable workers to clear obstacles or navigate a change in roof level.
Cutting-edge protection for the roof edge.
The roof edge is the most obvious hazard on a rooftop. Workers coming within six feet of the edge must be protected, and for flat or low-slope roofs, a perimeter guardrail system is the preferred measure. It will protect multiple workers without the need for any special equipment or training.
Modular in design and non-penetrating, an aluminum or galvanized steel guardrail system is strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant. They can be permanent systems or temporary, portable railing sets. Railings for parapets and metal roofs are also available.
Top-of-the-line anchors and lifelines.
For confined spaces, steep roofs, or even routine use, a lifeline and anchorage (active) fall protection system will provide fall restraint and fall arrest.
A horizontal lifeline system has different mounting options to adapt to the roof layout and accommodate corners and obstacles. Three people can work within spans of up to 39 feet. Galvanized and stainless steel components offer corrosion resistance and system longevity.
Horizontal and vertical lifelines require compliant anchorages. Freestanding roof anchors for flat or low-slope roofs do not penetrate the roof and can be moved where needed. Rigid tieback anchors are installed permanently.
See us for your safety solutions
If you are responsible for rooftop fall protection at an educational or healthcare facility, contact Lighthouse Safety. We will discuss your concerns about regulations and what it will take for you to comply. Our services can include as little or as much as you need, from design, engineering, and fabrication to installation, training, and other support. We typically start with a hazard assessment of your facility and then provide consulting and planning services so you can decide what you need to ensure the safety of your workers.
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