Roof Safety Policy for REEVA
(community service volunteer club)
Intended for the safety of the volunteers & building owners by way of this policy to be the protocol that which all projects involving work over 6’-0” from the leading edge of a work area to the next lower level will implement the procedures stated within..
It is to be noted that Falls are the number one cause of construction accidents.
All potential work sites can present their own individual hazards & final review by the REEVA officer(s) will determine if the project is safe & feasible for the volunteer group to perform work safely. The REEVA group reserves the right to determine if the site is safe to perform the work. Each job site will be reviewed and then the proper portion of the following policy options will be designated by the club officer or designated site supervisor which best applies to the project. The selected procedure will then be referred to in the liability form.
REEVA will not work on a pitch greater than 5 in 12 & will encourage homeowner to consider placing systems on a ground mounted configuration or call in a contractor (who typically uses a bucket truck/crane). An exception to this is where the leading fall edge is less than 6’ above the ground and proper fall restraint can be applied.
For ALL ROOF SYSTEMS that are greater than 4” in 12” roof pitches, then roof safety harnesses & Fall Restraint Systems must be worn and the system shall be fastened and secured as per the manufacturers directions & guidelines. The volunteer will wear proper rubberized shoes. If it is not possible to attach the roof restraint system per the manufacturers directions & guidelines then REEVA will not do the job – the homeowner can contract the roof work or considering doing a ground mount system.
The Building Owner(s) and roof worker(s) must sign liability forms before roof work is started. Only those trained on the policy specific to the project as determined from the options below and with previous roof work experience will be allowed to perform work on the roof. Others can assist with ground support work.
Fall protection procedure for sloped roofs up to 3 in 12 pitch (Eave height 25 feet or less, any roof type (except for wet metal/tile).
o Safety Monitoring System: Flags will be placed at least 6 feet back from roof edge and a separate safety monitor person (whose sole job is monitoring, no other work function)
o (a) Safety monitoring systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions:
o The safety monitor shall be competent to recognize fall hazards.
o A Safety Monitoring System must be in place before any roofing may begin.
o If safety equipment is missing someone must go get it prior to starting work
o If the workers are not all in the same area, additional monitors must be assigned: The designated supervisor shall direct each volunteer to comply with the fall hazard warnings from their safety monitor and shall emphasize that the safety monitor has the authority to take prompt corrective measures.
o The Safety Monitor’s duties and responsibilities include:
o Must wear a high visibility vest or jacket which reads “Safety Monitor” clearly written on the back.
o The safety monitor must not have any other work activities that could take the monitor’s attention from the monitoring function.
o No work may begin until the safety monitor is in position at the assigned work area.
o The safety monitor must also be on the same surface and within visual siting distance and close enough to communicate orally with the monitored volunteers.
o The safety monitor is required to warn the volunteer who appears to be unaware of a fall hazard or is acting in an unsafe manner.
o The safety monitor must take prompt corrective measures by having affected volunteers move away from the unprotected side or edge or use other work procedures to avoid fall hazards.
o No person other than the volunteer engaged in roof work, shall be allowed in an area where a volunteer is being protected by a safety monitoring system.
o mechanical equipment shall not be used or stored in areas where safety monitoring systems are being used to monitor volunteers engaged in roof work operations on low-sloped roofs.
o NOTE: If a roof safety monitor person is not available then fall restraint systems must be used or roof harnesses.
Note: see osha.gov/dep/greenjobs/green_falls.html for detailed safety info.