Five Reasons I Would Choose Rooftop Guardrails

Roof Safety and OSHA Fall Protection Standards: Which Method is Best?

As the first signs of spring emerge, you hop into your car and head to the office. You mentally go through your to-do list for the day. Then, you remember that a contractor is scheduled to perform a routine HVAC system check. This raises a question: Are your current roof safety systems sufficient? Are you fully compliant with OSHA's fall protection standards?

Visit DACHU for more information.

Have you ever considered how the contractor feels? Upon arriving at your building, the contractor must locate the personnel who will instruct him on using your specific Personal Fall Arrest System. Furthermore, someone must remain with him while he completes his repairs to comply with the 'system of twos.' Is there a way to eliminate this hassle?

Rooftop guardrails vs. fall arrest system: Which is better, active or passive fall protection? This question can be confusing. What criteria warrant the need for active fall protection? And when does passive fall protection suffice?

If you are a consultant, project manager, or operations manager in search of roof safety systems, here are five reasons to choose rooftop guardrails.

Five Reasons I Would Choose Rooftop Guardrails

1. Rooftop Guardrails Eliminate the Need for a 'System of Twos'

One significant advantage of rooftop guardrails is that a single worker can safely access the roof without needing a 'system of twos.' Guardrail installations require fewer personnel on-site, allowing you to send one individual to complete the required work without needing a companion. Some companies still advocate or mandate a two-person crew (we always maintain a two-man crew for installations), but this varies based on individual safety plans.

2. Guardrail Installation is Quick and Easy

At W.S. Safety, our primary aim is to address the challenges of availability and ease of use. For example, SafetyRail can be set up quickly and easily.

If you've already exhausted your safety budget for this year, feel free to request a quote regardless. This will help you estimate how much you should allocate for next year's budget. We strive to respond to requests within 24 hours. A non-penetrating guardrail requires less time to install.

3. Non-Penetrating Guardrails are Not Permanent

If you have trained all your workers on the lanyard system but wish to transition to rooftop guardrails, it may seem overwhelming to navigate the health and safety changes required.

When considering guardrail installation, an essential consideration is whether to opt for 'penetrating' or 'non-penetrating' systems. The former involves drilling holes into the roof, while the latter features weighted bases that rest on top of the roof. An effective and aesthetically pleasing choice for guardrails is the SafetyRail - Architectural Series, which enhances the visual appeal of your roof. Our Tech-Rail system offers similar benefits but with a mill finish aluminum appearance, allowing for closer placement of the rail system to the edge.

Contact us to discuss your requirements for a guardrail spacer. Our experienced sales team can assist you in identifying the options that best suit your needs.

All our roof safety railings are non-penetrating and can be removed when necessary. Although we occasionally offer rooftop guardrails secured to structures for custom projects, we generally prefer non-penetrating guardrails due to their multiple advantages.

4. Roof Safety Railings Mean No Need for a Harness

Rooftop guardrails enable less dependence on your roof safety system. Unlike harness and lanyard systems, or rope grabs (which also require the use of a harness), rooftop guardrails allow you to work more freely. You simply walk out onto the roof, complete your tasks, and return indoors.

Architectural Guardrails Are Designed For:

• New building construction
• Adding passive fall protection to an existing building or structure
• An addition to existing guardrails

According to the IHSA, fall protection methods are ranked in order of importance. Safety guardrails rank second on the hierarchical list of six roof safety systems. Their ranking begins with 'hazard elimination' and concludes with the most complex system, 'safety nets.' The fall arrest system or 'Personal Fall Arrest System' ranks fifth. In other words, installing a non-penetrating guardrail is one of the best ways to ensure rooftop safety and meet OSHA regulations regarding fall restraint.

5. Safety Guardrails Do Not Require Specific Training

The use of lanyard systems necessitates that individuals be specifically trained on their correct usage. For instance, one site states that harnesses for their horizontal lifeline system must be sized and configured for each person. Given the extensive training required for lanyard systems, I would choose safety guardrails, like SafetyRail, any day. Even with rope grabs, proper positioning can be challenging. All these alternative systems demand more training than rooftop guardrails.

Rooftop Guardrails: An Easy Way to Comply with OSHA Fall Restraint Standards

In my opinion, safety guardrails outperform lanyards and other systems due to their minimal requirements in terms of personnel, time, permanence, involvement, and training. The SafetyRail is a superb option, offering an easy, non-permanent solution to ensure compliance with OSHA fall protection standards.

So, the next time you're heading home from work, anticipating a barbecue after a long day's labor, take a moment to observe your building and ask yourself, 'Which roof safety system should I choose for my next job?' Architectural Rooftop Guardrails may top your list.

This article reflects the writer's research and opinion and should not be construed as legal advice.