When working at height on a flat surface, such as a roof or floor of a building under construction, it is necessary to protect workers from the risk of falling. To do so, there are many options. In order to facilitate the choice of the best solution in terms of safety, cost and viability, Barry offers you some possible solutions:
We invite you to use our Risk of Falling Elimination Form to guide you in your approach and to facilitate the documentation of your Height on a Commercial or Industrial Roof: How to Properly Protect Workers? When working at height on a flat surface, such as a roof or floor of a building under construction, it is necessary to protect workers from the risk of falling. To eliminate risk at its source. https://www.barry.ca/publications/eliminating-the-risk-of-falling-the-first-step-to-working-at-heights
Popular thinking (far too widespread in our opinion) is to systematically associate working at heights with wearing a safety harness. In fact, wearing a harness should be reserved strictly for situations where there is no other adequate means of protection.
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Contact Us to speak with a specialist to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Warning lines are a very good solution for work in the center of a roof, and when several workers at height are simultaneously exposed to the risks of falling roofs.
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This option is often the best for snow removal work and to limit access to the roof edges.
If safety rules are respected, this type of system offers a very high level of safety at low cost.
Barry strongly recommends the use of this type of system on a commercial or industrial roof.
Vertical safety nets are an option that deserves to be used much more. Indeed, its safety level is probably the highest of all protection systems. We are seeing its use increase considerably in many sectors and countries where we operate.
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If properly designed and installed, vertical nets are the best solution in terms of cost, safety and viability.
Barry strongly recommends the use of this type of system on a flat surface when an upper structure is available for anchoring.
In recent years, several manufacturers have been offering new solutions for self-supporting guardrails, and in some cases, these options are fantastic and very economical, especially for flat roofs with parapet.
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The actual level of safety is higher than the lifelines, and the viability in terms of worker supervision makes guards an economical, safe and viable long-term solution.
Barry strongly recommends the use of this type of system on a commercial or industrial roof.
Horizontal lifelines and fixed anchors are often the first reflex of employers who systematically associate the use of slings with working at height.
Although it is possible to make safe use of fall protection equipment, in our experience, more than 80% of the time wearing a harness is not the best solution.
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The cost as well as the viability of horizontal lifelines and fixed anchors are often a disadvantage, but it is mainly the real level of safety that is lacking since it is complex to rescue a person who has fallen.
Barry rarely recommends the use of this type of system on a commercial or industrial roof.
Recently, we have seen a multitude of types of counterweights appear on the market which, at first glance, seem to be magical options.
In some cases, it is possible that these options may be functional, but do not forget to have their specific use certified by a competent engineer and to follow the instructions to the letter.
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Despite some advantages, Barry rarely recommends the use of this type of system on a commercial or industrial roof.
Contact us to speak with a specialist to help you choose the best option for your needs.