Roofing Law

The Importance of Harness Safety featured image

The Importance of Harness Safety

For many roofing jobs, a personal fall arrest system is necessary. This is a more formal way of saying that the worker should be wearing a harness. Although some jobs in lower elevation on flatter roofs do not require a harness, a personal fall arrest system should always be applied on larger scale jobs that involve steeper roofs and more challenging elements at greater heights.

If you are a roofer, you need to utilize safety equipment that helps prevent accidents from transpiring. Accidents do not only lead to significant injuries and even death, violations of safety and health standards also lead to steep citations from OSHA. If you received an OSHA citation, a roofing attorney in Alabama can assist you. At Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, we defend against OSHA citations.

Start With the Anchor

Using a harness during roofing work begins with attaching an anchor to the highest position of the roof. The anchor should be connected to the strongest point of the rooftop at the rafter or truss. After the anchor is securely screwed into place, the worker should then attach a safety rope that connects from the anchor to their fastened harness. The straps on the worker’s harness should, of course, be tightly worn at all times to ensure safety. Creating a personal fall arrest system really can be this easy; however, there are also potential setbacks that should always be closely monitored.

Potential Setbacks

When working with a used harness, it’s important to inspect the material and stitching before wearing the equipment. If a harness is utilized during a fall, it’s critical that the harness is closely reviewed to discover if it has any shortcomings. The rope used to hold the harness should be closely looked at as well as it may experience fraying from the impact of a falling incident as well. It’s also important that workers always consider the location of the anchor to where they are working. If a worker is not aligned with the anchor, the anchor needs to be transported to a 90-degree co-ordinance from their workstation.

Depending on the circumstances of the work being performed, there are many other things the worker needs to consider while working on a rooftop. As any construction professional knows, falling incidents are the most common serious injuries that transpire on construction sites. Always following safety protocols, communicating with your coworkers, keeping your positioning in mind while working, and being mindful of the surrounding elements can help ensure a safer workplace.

If you would like to speak with a roofing lawyer in Alabama, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.