OSHA offers new resources on preventing roof falls

Washington – Two new publications from OSHA are aimed at helping construction workers avoid falls from roofs.

Protecting Roofing Workers is a 44-page booklet that includes information about personal fall arrest systems, worker rescues, and using fall-restraint and guardrail systems. Other sections focus on ladders, scaffolding, lifts and emergency action plans, among other topics.

Fall Protection in Construction includes information about Subpart M, which sets criteria for fall protection in construction work. The resource also provides examples of fall protection requirements in areas specific to construction, such as leading edges, low-slope roofs, steep roofs and overhand bricklaying.

Fall protection was the most frequently cited OSHA standard during fiscal year 2014.