b',OSHAIssuesNewComplianceGuidelines forResidentialFallProtection I l l On December 8, 1995, the Occupational liSafety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued Interim Fall Protection Guidelines for Residential Construction to address, at least in part, concerns that were raised by the National Roofing Contractors Association since the new AOSHAFallProtection Standard was issued last a.February.toeffect immediThese new guidelines are in ately. They apply"structures where the ::,working environment. and the construction materials, methods, and procedures employed are essentially the same as those used for typical house (single-family dwelling) and town house construction. Discrete parts of a large commer=cial structure may come within the scope of this directive (for example, a shingled entranceway to a mall), but such coverage does not mean that the entire structure thereby comes 0within the terms of this directive."of PcThe new guidelines allow for the usepro"roofing slide guards" as an alternate fall tection method during residential construction work (including roof removal, repair and new roof installation) where the roof slope is 8-in-12 Ior less, and the eave to lowerventional fall protection systems are required. level fall distance ::,is 25 feet orto be an acceptable alter IOn residential construction roofs with less. However, a safety monitoring system is considered enative during removal and repair of an existingslopes ofore or less, or on residential con4-in-12 residential construction roof, subject to thestruction tilemetal roofs with slopes of 8-in-same 25 feet and 8-in-1 2 limitations.1 2 orsaf ty monitoring system alone less, a During new roof installation "roofing slidemay be used. Both are subject to the 25 foot I l l guards," defined as roof jacks (or equivalentlimitation.for commercial low-slope - supports) with at least2inches-by- 6 inchesto The requirementslow protection (nominal) planks, are to be installed as follows:roofing work remain unchanged by these new IOn residential construction roofs withguidelines. That means that a fall slopes 6-in-12 or less, roofing slide guards aresystem, such as warning lines and safety monito be installed continuously along the eave. Thers, must be used on-slope roofs where BY BILLGoooangle of the eave slide guard must be approxi the level-to-lower level fall height is six feet or NATIONAL ROOFINGmately 90 degrees (plus or minus 1 0 degrees)greater. CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATIONto the roof.OSHA has also indicated that "it is appropriIOn residential construction roofs withate to initiate further proceedings" regarding slopes greater than 6-in-12 up to and includingthe residential fall protection standard, to "eval8-in-12, eave guards are to be installed and ad uate the alternative methods and procedures ditional slide guards may be installed below thesuggested by roofing contractors for residential work area at intervals not to exceed eight feetroofing work" and move "expeditiously to deand may be more level, if desired.velop an NPRM" (Notice of Proposed RuleIOn residential construction roofs withmaking). slopes greater than 8-in-12, or with eave to lower level heights of more than 25 feet, con-MRFebruary 969'