If you can fall 6 feet or more, fall protection is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
A personal fall-arrest system includes the anchor, rope, harness, rope grab, and lanyard. Our roofers installed three permanent anchors across the roof peak. The anchors will be handy for future system maintenance. The rope diameter must match the rope grab and be long enough to hang below the eave of the roof. Find a harness that fits comfortably. Make sure the lanyard between the harness and the rope grab is short enough so that when weight is on the rope, you can still reach the rope grab to make adjustments.
- Have a plan! Do as much of the material prep and planning as possible on the ground.
- Position anchors across the roof width to reduce the potential to swing.
- When transitioning to the roof, tie into the rope while still on the ladder.
- Take breaks.
- Wear gloves—equipment is likely to get hot while lying on the roof in the sun.
- Watch for approaching weather.
- Don’t go after falling nuts and bolts.
- Use a ladder standoff for stability, and tie off ladders per OSHA requirements.
- Move your rope grab as you work to keep slack out of the rope.
For more information on OSHA safety requirements as they pertain to solar installations, go to www.osha.gov/dep/greenjobs/solar.html.