When Fall Protection is Required

OSHA Standards (United States):

• Fall protection required at 6 feet or higher
• Applies to all roofing work
• No exceptions for "experienced workers"

WorkSafeBC Standards (British Columbia):

• Fall protection required at 10 feet (3 meters) or higher
• Fall protection required on roofs 3:12 pitch or steeper, regardless of height
• Travel restraint systems allowed on roofs less than 3:12 pitch

RJ Roofing Bros Standard:

• Fall protection on ALL roofs 6:12 pitch or steeper
• Fall protection on roofs 10+ feet high, regardless of pitch
• When in doubt, we use fall protection

Types of Fall Protection Systems

1. Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

Components:

• Full-body harness: Distributes fall forces across body
• Anchor point: Secure attachment to roof structure
• Connecting device: Lanyard, lifeline, or self-retracting lifeline (SRL)
• Shock absorber: Reduces fall forces (built into lanyard or SRL)

How It Works:

• Worker wears full-body harness
• Harness connects to anchor point via lanyard or SRL
• If worker falls, system arrests fall within 6 feet
• Shock absorber reduces impact forces to safe levels

Limitations:

• Requires sufficient fall clearance (distance to ground/obstruction)
• Worker can still fall 6+ feet before arrest
• Suspension trauma risk if not rescued quickly

2. Guardrail Systems

Components:

• Top rail: 42 inches high, capable of withstanding 200 lbs force
• Mid rail: 21 inches high
• Toe board: 4 inches high (prevents tools/materials from falling)

Advantages:

• Passive protection (no harness required)
• Protects all workers in area
• No fall clearance calculation needed

Limitations:

• Difficult to install on sloped roofs
• Requires flat work area
• Time-consuming to set up

3. Safety Net Systems

How It Works:

• Nets installed below work area
• Catch workers who fall
• Must be within 30 feet of work surface

Limitations:

• Expensive and time-consuming to install
• Rarely used in residential roofing
• More common in commercial/industrial work

4. Warning Line Systems

How It Works:

• Rope or cable erected 6 feet from roof edge
• Warns workers they're approaching edge
• Must be combined with other fall protection at edge

Limitations:

• Only allowed on low-slope roofs (less than 4:12 pitch)
• Does not prevent falls - only warns
• Requires designated safety monitor

Personal Fall Arrest Equipment

Full-Body Harnesses

Key Features:

• D-ring: Back-mounted attachment point (between shoulder blades)
• Leg straps: Distribute fall forces
• Chest strap: Keeps harness in place
• Adjustable straps: Proper fit is critical

Proper Fit:

• Snug but not restrictive
• D-ring between shoulder blades
• Leg straps snug around thighs
• No twisted straps

Inspection Before Each Use:

• Check for cuts, tears, fraying
• Inspect stitching and hardware
• Check D-ring for cracks or deformation
• Ensure buckles function properly
• If in doubt, take it out of service

Anchor Points

Requirements:

• Must support 5,000 lbs per attached worker
• Must be independent of guardrail systems
• Must be installed by qualified person

Types:

• Permanent roof anchors: Installed during construction/re-roofing
• Temporary anchors: Attached to chimney, vent pipe, or structural members
• Ridge anchors: Clamp to roof ridge
• Parapet anchors: Attach to parapet walls

Common Mistakes:

• Attaching to plumbing vents (not strong enough)
• Attaching to gutters (will fail)
• Attaching to HVAC units (not rated for fall protection)

Lanyards and Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

Shock-Absorbing Lanyards:

• 6 feet maximum length
• Built-in shock absorber (tears to reduce forces)
• Allows 6+ feet of free fall before arrest
• Requires fall clearance calculation

Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs):

• Retractable cable (like seatbelt)
• Locks immediately upon fall
• Reduces free fall to 2 feet or less
• Preferred for most roofing work
• More expensive than lanyards ($300-600)

Fall Clearance Calculations

Why It Matters:

You need enough clearance below to arrest the fall before hitting the ground or an obstruction. Insufficient clearance = hitting the ground while still attached to the system.

Calculation (6-foot lanyard):

• Free fall distance: 6 feet (lanyard length)
• Deceleration distance: 3.5 feet (shock absorber deployment)
• Worker height: 6 feet (average)
• Safety factor: 3 feet
• Total clearance needed: 18.5 feet

Calculation (SRL):

• Free fall distance: 2 feet (SRL locks quickly)
• Deceleration distance: 3.5 feet
• Worker height: 6 feet
• Safety factor: 3 feet
• Total clearance needed: 14.5 feet

Roof Brackets and Planks

When to Use:

• Steep roofs (6:12 pitch or steeper)
• Provides stable work platform
• Reduces fall risk

Installation:

• Nail brackets to roof deck (through shingles)
• Space brackets 4-6 feet apart
• Install 2x10 planks across brackets
• Creates level work platform

Limitations:

• Damages existing roof (nail holes)
• Only suitable for re-roofing projects
• Does not eliminate fall hazard (still need fall protection above brackets)

Working on Steep Roofs

Steep Roof Definition:

• 6:12 pitch or steeper
• Difficult to walk on without slipping
• Requires additional precautions

Required Precautions:

• Fall protection MANDATORY
• Roof brackets and planks recommended
• Soft-soled shoes with good grip
• Work from planks, not directly on shingles
• Never work on wet steep roofs

Suspension Trauma

What It Is:

After a fall arrest, a worker hangs suspended in harness. Blood pools in legs, reducing blood flow to brain and vital organs. Can be fatal in as little as 15 minutes.

Symptoms:

• Dizziness, nausea
• Difficulty breathing
• Numbness in legs
• Loss of consciousness

Prevention:

• Rescue suspended worker immediately (within 15 minutes)
• Have rescue plan BEFORE starting work
• Suspension relief straps (allow worker to stand in harness)
• Self-rescue devices (allow worker to lower themselves)

Rescue Planning

Required by Law:

OSHA and WorkSafeBC require a rescue plan before starting work with fall protection.

Rescue Options:

• Self-rescue: Worker lowers themselves (requires self-rescue device)
• Assisted rescue: Co-worker lowers worker from roof
• Fire department rescue: Call 911 (can take 15+ minutes)

Our Rescue Plan:

• All crew members trained in rescue procedures
• Rescue equipment on every job site
• Practice rescues quarterly
• Call 911 immediately after fall

The Bottom Line

Fall protection saves lives. It's not optional, it's not negotiable, and it's not just for "dangerous" roofs. Every roof is dangerous.

At RJ Roofing Bros, every crew member is trained in fall protection. We use full-body harnesses, SRLs, and proper anchor points on every steep or high roof. We've never had a fall injury because we take this seriously.

If you're a DIYer: Invest in proper fall protection equipment ($300-600 for harness + SRL) or hire a professional. Your life is worth more than the cost of equipment.

Questions about fall protection? Call (604) 997-1292