Equipment Review November/December 2008:
Edge protection and anchoring
Protecting workers from falling when working on, or near, roof edges or deck openings (stairwells or skylight openings) is a major concern and liability for roofing contractors. Perimeter warningsystems or flagmen will work fine as long as you don't have to get any closer than 7 ft. from the edge. This is not practical when you have to finish roofing the job at the roof's edge or deck openings.
You really have only two options: Install a guardrail system or tie the men off with personal fall protection and anchors. A guardrail system is a portable fencing system that can be moved around the deck. It sits on very heavy pads (usually over 100 lbs.) and will prevent the person from knocking it over and falling over the edge. OSHA standards require this type of system must be able to resist tipping over when a 200 lb. force is applied to the top of the rail. Guardrail systems can also be used to section off roof areas where you don't want any pedestrian traffic (roofers or other personnel). The guardrail system will have to be moved when you need to finish roofing under the base.
Guardrail systems provide the ultimate edge protection, but can be costly. You do not have to buy enough to protect the entire job perimeter though. The sections are moveable so you can buy enough guardrails (about 100-150 ft.) to protect about one-half or one day's production then move it for the next production section.
Another alternative is to provide strategic anchor points throughout the job for your workers to tie off on with personal fall arrest kits. These put the roofers in a fall arrest position allowing him to work right up to the very edge of the roof.
However, you must install permanent or temporary roof anchors. If it is a wood deck, usually you can use a temporary anchor that is screwed directly into the deck (trying to hit trusses or some other substantial structural beam) providing the best holding power. After use just repair the deck where the screws were installed.
If it's a concrete deck it's usually better to install a permanent anchor using adhesive bolts. Unless you can include it in the bid, you will probably have to sell these types of anchors as an upgrade to your customer and they can be used by other trades later when doing maintenance work (especially if they have a lot of skylights). These types of anchors are about 12 in. high and can be installed strategically at various locations where needed. You'll have to drill into the deck then use special adhesive bolts to secure it to the deck.You will also have to waterproof the base of the installation.
The same types of anchor systems may be used on metal decks. Methods of installation will be a little different. A crossbeam support across the struts or joists from the underdeck may be necessary if the deck material is not at least 20-guage. Or you may have to use 20 to 30 sheet metals screws on the base to permanently install an anchor on the exterior deck surface. Applications will vary depending on whether you're working on a flat or sloped surface.
Look at anchor sy
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