Jack Frost or Old Man Winter?
Jack Frost is a spritely type, wreaking havoc surreptitiously overnight with cold, snow, and ice. Old Man Winter lumbers out in the open and pulverizes the place with one chilling blast of his breath. Since Jack Frost is also credited with “painting” the autumn leaves, he is a “warmup act” for Old Man Winter, so to speak.
Whichever your belief system, you can be sure your rooftop will be hit this winter with snow, ice, wind, cold, and low visibility that will pose severe challenges to your maintenance workers. Regardless of the harsh conditions, they must attend to the heating, ventilation, and building services equipment that your facility depends upon.
Now is the time to create a checklist and ensure they are protected from slips, trips, and falls with both “active” and “passive” fall protection equipment.
Active fall protection involves the worker directly with fall restraint—preventing the worker from reaching a hazard—and fall arrest—stopping a fall over a minimal distance. Active fall protection requires frequent inspection of personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) and certified training. Passive fall protection is a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Passive systems do not require special equipment or training.
#1 – Make Access Points and Openings Safe and Secure
With slippery conditions from winter weather, unprotected skylights and roof access via hatches pose significant fall risks. Skylights cannot necessarily support the weight of a worker and are thus considered an opening in the roof. They can become hidden hazards in the winter, as snow and ice can obscure them from view.
Skylight screens and guardrails protect workers without blocking the sunlight. The skylight screens are corrosion-resistant galvanized or stainless steel and are available in standard (or custom) styles. Skylight guardrails are a modular setup that surrounds the skylight or roof dome and does not penetrate the roof. They are available in aluminum or galvanized steel and meet or exceed Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
A roof hatch kit also provides a surrounding, OSHA-compliant guardrail system for safe rooftop egress and ingress, including a grab bar for support and a self-closing safety gate. Construction can be robust, durable, and corrosion-resistant aluminum or galvanized steel. The gates feature a spring-loaded mechanism that closes automatically once the worker passes through, providing an immediate barrier.
#2 – Protect the Perimeter with Guardrails
Guardrail systems are the first line of defense in fall protection at the edge of a flat or low-slope roof. Built with aluminum or galvanized steel rails and connecting components with recycled PVC counterweight bases, these modular systems provide a continuous barrier and are installed without penetrating the roof.
Ensure that guardrails meet OSHA standards for height, strength, and stability. They are effective for permanent or temporary installations and are passive or “collective” fall protection systems, so they reduce or eliminate the need for PFPE.
#3 – Set the Stage with Rooftop Walkways
Rooftop walkways offer workers a safe and designated path, reducing the chance of slips and falls in snowy or icy conditions. Walkways protect both workers and the roof itself, preventing structural damage that can occur when walking directly on roofing materials.
Anti-slip treads made of glass-reinforced nylon are set in aluminum or galvanized steel frames for stability. They are self-draining to avoid ice accumulation and can be fitted with guardrails for added fall protection, especially against the wind.
A rooftop crossover is an “up and over” type of walkway that can be pre-assembled or assembled at the installation point to overcome obstructions such as ducts, conduits, pipes, or cables that can be hidden by snow. Its modular design features pipe-fitted frames and guardrails constructed of aluminum or galvanized steel, plus the same anti-slip treads used in rooftop walkways.
#4 – Take Another Step for Safety with Work Access Platform
As if working from the rooftop is not enough of a hazard, large building services equipment can have hard-to-reach instruments, monitors, panels, filters, etc., that require workers to be further elevated to perform their inspection, maintenance, or repair work. Ladders are problematic during good weather but less reliable in wintery conditions.
A work access platform is safer, more viable, and OSHA-compliant. As part of the rooftop walkway/crossover family, it features a modular, pipe-fitted design with aluminum or galvanized steel frames and guardrails. Steps and platform decks have anti-slip nylon treads. Platforms can be fixed (static) for frequent work in a stationary place. They can also be fitted with locking casters for station-to-station portability.
#5 – Engineered Lifeline Systems and Anchorages
Active fall protection is necessary for rooftop work where guardrails are not practical or installed. A horizontal lifeline system provides range and mobility while securing workers against falls. It features galvanized and stainless steel components and supports up to three workers within each 39-ft. span between anchor points.
OSHA-compliant anchorages are the backbone of any lifeline system by. In winter, anchors must endure harsh weather, so each anchor point should be tested to support the maximum intended load and be certified by a qualified professional. Rigid tieback anchor posts are installed permanently into the roof. Freestanding anchors for flat and low-sloped roofs have non-slip weights and a central pedestal attachment point.
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Implementing the fall protection systems from this checklist will be bolstered by regular inspections. Check all equipment and the roof for snow and ice buildup that could compromise safety. Ensure all workers receive training on using fall protection gear properly, emphasizing winter-specific risks.
If you are responsible for safety at your organization, contact Lighthouse Safety for OSHA-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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