Fall protection and the measures set in place to prevent falls are a crucial part of any workplace but especially within the roofing industry. Roofers are required to perform tasks in risky situations of great heights where safety regulations become even more crucial. Fall protection should be the focus of your safety training program. Especially, when working with a team of employees who are working at dangerous heights. Furthermore, it is critically important to follow OSHA fall protection protocols when working with ladders.
The Importance of Following OSHA Fall Protection for Ladders
Even with fall protection and safety regulations being constantly refined by OSHA, there are numerous accidents that occur every day. The fact that severe fall injuries are preventable yet so prevalent is a testament to how important it is to encourage and enforce workplace fall protection.
Fall hazards make roofing work among the most dangerous jobs in construction. Employers must ensure that employees working from heights greater than 6 feet are provided fall protection equipment and that they train workers to use the equipment safely. – OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts
Intense deadlines coupled with high-heights activity or construction environments can cause safety risks to be overlooked easily. Falls involving ladders can present even higher risks for workers. That is why OSHA fall protection requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems ( PFAS ) should be a crucial part of any company or commercial building owner’s safety training programs.
Here are a few other tips for increasing fall protection safety with your roofing team.
#1 Establish Safety Meetings And Training Sessions
As a roofing business owner, it is required by law to ensure that your employees are aptly trained in OSHA fall protection regulations. OSHA fall protection is just as important for ladders, as it is for buildings. However, to truly build a strong safety culture within a business, safety education is critical. Holding regular safety meetings will help enforce that your employees are well trained, protected and know OSHA’s regulations. Additionally, it ensures employees can efficiently complete their job without a lack of knowledge or fear of improper safety equipment usage.
Training sessions give the chance to work hands-on with the safety equipment. This is just as important to work with new and pre-existing equipment alike. Allowing roofers to feel comfortable with the reasons behind these safety protocols and how to properly follow them will help them feel comfortable working in otherwise-risky situations. It will also allow for them to feel cared about and valued as a member of the roofing team.
#2 Keep Up With Changes for Osha Fall Protection for Ladders
While OSHA often gives a deadline for businesses to meet their regulations, it is crucial not to wait till the last minute to make changes to your roofing company’s safety procedures. It should be a slow transition, allowing workers to have a strong understanding of how to protect themselves properly.
Waiting until the last minute to introduce workers to a new system can be dangerous. This can lead to simple mistakes occurring within the job. Furthermore, as an employer or contractor, you should work to understand the safety industry. To do this, as a business owner, you should also consider joining professional associations, attend roofing trade shows, and read up on trade publications.
#3 Amplifying Work Safety Culture
Safety procedures should be the first thought of any job. Developing a safety plan for each of your roofing projects can prevent accidents. Remember no two projects are alike. Additionally, hiring a safety manager to outline safety guidelines and help the company understand OSHA fall protection requirements for ladders, roofs, catwalks, and more will help boost safety measures.
In general, a safety manager is a great way to amplify the safety culture within your organization. A safety manager is able to dedicate themselves to fully understanding safety regulations, how to implement them, and how to recognize improper use. Having someone dedicated to protecting, educating, and monitoring your employees’ safety will show that your company takes safety seriously.
Furthermore, a safety manager can consistently detail the risk associated with not using proper protection – such as serious injury or death. In 2018, 320 deaths were reported in work-related construction falls, and even more, were left injured. Safety managers are trained to address the reasons that these deaths happen.
#4 Recognize Your Employees
Recognizing employees who properly follow protocols, create safety plans, and consistently work to better the business’s safety culture can be a great way to inspire others to do the same. Offering incentives such as potential “safety in the workplace” bonuses and raises tied to completing safety certifications will encourage workers to follow regulations closely. Additionally, providing your employees with positive feedback and praise is another great way to encourage them to continue protecting their and others’ safety.
It is important to remember that roofing safety doesn’t just affect the employees of a business, but the business itself. Injuries due to improper safety regulations can cause lawsuits or insurance costs to rise. Also, failure to implement OSHA fall protection regulations for ladders and heights can lead to hefty fines. Federal OSHA currently has approximately 1,850 inspectors who were responsible for conducting 33,393 federal inspections in 2019. These inspectors are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of an organization’s employees, and will not hesitate to leave a hefty fine on a business not cooperating with regulations.
Recognizing employees who work hard to implement and follow roofing safety rules can inevitably lead to fewer fines, but mor importantly greater worker safety. In addition to fewer fines and fees, happy roofers also tend to complete tasks more efficiently. If workers feel protected and respected they’re more likely to benefit the company’s workflow.
DCI #1 Provider of OSHA Regulated Fall Protection Equipment For Ladders
Design Components, Inc. is the number one trusted solution when it comes to OSHA fall protection requirements for ladders. As a business owner, ensuring that you work with trusted suppliers of safety equipment and PFAS is critical. DCI equipment meets OSHA standards across the board. At Design Components Inc., we understand the stress that comes with ensuring your roofers are protected, which is why we provide effective OSHA-compliant products.
Protect your employees and pass your OSHA inspections with flying colors with DCI! Give us a call at (800) 868-9910, email us at sales@designcomponents.com, or request a quote.
