NIOSH: Use Prevention through Design to protect construction workers on roofs

Washington – Using features such as parapets and guardrails on roofs during construction could help prevent falls among workers, according to a new NIOSH publication.

The document describes how to use Prevention through Design principles to avert falls from roofs. A parapet is a low wall at the edge of a roof that can help prevent workers from falling off the roof during construction and maintenance tasks. Other features mentioned in the publication are guardrails, safety netting, and permanent anchor points used in conjunction with personal fall arrest systems and lifelines.