“Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!”
When introduced in Action Comics in June 1938, Superman could leap one-eighth of a mile but not yet fly. As the Man of Steel made his way through radio, television, and movies, his skills upgraded considerably; however, the opening narration lived on.
Employees in today’s commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal buildings are highly skilled but are not leaping over buildings. Although many work at heights and in other areas with fall hazards, they can feel as secure and comfortable as Superman when safeguarded by effective and regulatory-compliant fall protection systems and equipment.
Safety and facility managers and building and business owners can fulfill this responsibility by understanding their buildings, the regulations, and the many fall protection solutions available.
Building, know thyself.
It is important to assess your building’s specific requirements, the type of work being performed, the frequency of access to elevated areas, and the layout of your building. For example, a data center with frequent rooftop maintenance will have different needs than an office building with occasional skylight inspections. Steps to take include:
- Assess the Hazards
Conduct a thorough review of the fall hazards within and around your facility and prioritize which areas need immediate attention. - Understand the Regulations
Research the appropriate Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and state and local safety requirements that apply. - Analyze the Building Structure
Consider the design and materials of your building to determine compatible fall protection solutions. - Identify the Work Activities
Determine what tasks should be performed at height to select fall protection solutions that provide compliant protection without hindering productivity.
Additionally, consider whether you need temporary or permanent solutions and to what extent you need internal and external systems.
Safety solutions from the inside and outside.
Internal fall protection systems safeguard employees and visitors within the building and are particularly important in areas such as mezzanines, staircases, and elevated platforms. External fall protection solutions protect people accessing the building and working on the rooftop or other elevated areas.
A) Public Access Ramps
Modular ramp systems are designed to meet the wheelchair accessibility regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They feature all-weather, anti-slip flooring and steps and are readily customized for virtually any building access or ground conditions. Handrails offer additional fall protection for ambulatory people, especially with mobility challenges.
B) Safe Access Platforms & Safety Gates
Elevated equipment and machinery, inventory racks and shelving, trailer maintenance areas, and other work-at-height spots can be reached safely and efficiently with safe access platforms. They feature anti-slip treads for steps and platform decks installed in sturdy, non-bounce pipe-fitted frames with guardrails. This modular design offers simple customization for safe work access.
Platforms are often equipped with self-closing gates for added fall protection. These safety gates feature a spring-loaded mechanism that closes the gate automatically once the worker passes through.
Types of safe access work platforms include:
• Static (fixed) for permanent installation and frequently performed tasks.
• Mobile stands featuring heavy-duty locking casters for safer and more productive portability than ladders.
• Multi-purpose platforms to suit a variety of work environments.
• Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and generator platforms to service rooftop and ground-based utility systems.
• Hopper and dump trailer stands to access tall trailers for various duties.
• Flatbed trailer stands that match the height and length of trailers for easy access.
C) Safety Barriers
High-strength metal guardrails and other safety barriers can be used throughout a facility to provide fall protection and safeguard the building structure and racks and shelves from forklifts and other vehicle collisions. Permanent and removable guardrails, overhead door guards, pallet rack guards, and column guards provide comprehensive protection.
D) Roof Edge Protection
Modern buildings often have HVAC systems, solar panel arrays, telecommunications equipment, and other building service systems. Regular inspections and maintenance are necessary to keep these systems running smoothly and prevent disruptions to primary operations inside.
The roof edge is the most apparent fall hazard. A perimeter guardrail system is ideal for flat and low-sloped roofs because it will protect multiple workers without needing special equipment or training. Safety railings are constructed of robust, durable, corrosion-resistant aluminum or galvanized steel anchored by recycled PVC counterweight bases. This OSHA-compliant system can be tailored to match virtually any roof layout and is installed without penetrating the roof.
E) Fall Protection for Roof Openings
A roof hatch is a common way to access the rooftop, but unprotected, it leaves a dangerous opening. A roof hatch railing kit with a self-closing safety gate surrounds the hatch with OSHA-compliant fall protection.
OSHA also considers a skylight a hole in a roof, so skylight fall protection is required when workers access the rooftop. A skylight screen is a galvanized or stainless steel mesh that attaches to and covers the skylight without blocking the sunshine. A skylight guardrail provides OSHA-compliant fall protection on all skylight or roof dome sides.
F) Rooftop Walkways
Rooftop walkways provide safe, stable, designated paths to protect workers from fall hazards as they traverse the roof and perform their tasks. They feature anti-slip aluminum or nylon treads with apertures to drain precipitation and prevent snow, water, or ice accumulation. These modular systems can be customized for individual roof layouts and fitted with guardrails for added fall protection.
Crossover platforms are roof walkways with steps, a platform bridge, and OSHA-compliant guardrails to enable workers to “crossover” rooftop obstructions such as ducts, cables, pipes, conduits, and a change in the roof level.
G) Lifelines & Anchors
Guardrails are “passive” or “collective” fall protection systems always in place to protect workers. However, there are situations where installing guardrails is not practical or feasible. In such cases, “active” fall protection, such as lifeline and anchorage systems, is required.
Lifeline fall protection systems secure workers’ movement horizontally or vertically at height. Engineered horizontal lifelines feature galvanized and stainless steel components, allowing workers to navigate a line anchored at multiple points. They can be on a rooftop or overhead (including a portable overhead system). Cable-based, vertical lifelines are used for climbing and descending ladders and towers.
Anchorage systems provide secure attachment points for lifelines, lanyards, and harnesses. They can be installed on rooftops, inside facilities, or other structures with fall hazards. Types of anchors include:
• Single-point anchors feature a D-ring attached to an existing structure, such as a beam, column, or equipment.
• Tank anchors are a unique solution for attaching to above-ground storage tanks.
• Davit arms and pedestals provide fall protection to work on different levels and support platforms for window washing and façade maintenance.
• Tieback anchors are designed for permanent installation on the rooftop.
• Freestanding anchors for flat or low-sloped roofs provide mobility around the rooftop.
See us for your safety solutions.
Fall protection is a critical aspect of building safety. By understanding your building’s unique requirements and exploring the range of internal and external solutions available—from guardrails to lifelines and walkways in between—you can create a safe environment for workers and occupants alike.
If you are responsible for fall protection at your building, contact Lighthouse Safety for compliant safety solutions. 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, inspections, and other support.
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