OSHA Residental Roofing Reminder

The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently

rescinded the interim enforcement policy on fall protection for specified residential construction activities. Under the new policy, employers engaged in residential construction must comply with 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13).

Enforcement of this new residential roofing directive began September 15, 2011.

“Under 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13), workers engaged in residential construction six (6) feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection (i.e., guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems) or alternative fall protection measures allowed under 1926.501(b) for particular types of work.

A personal fall arrest system may consist of a full body harness, a deceleration device, a lanyard, and an anchor point. (See the definition of “personal fall arrest system” in 29 CFR 1926.500). If an employer can demonstrate that fall protection required under 1926.501(b)(13) is infeasible or presents a greater hazard it must implement a written, site-specific fall protection plan meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.502(k). The fall protection plan must specify alternative measures that will be used to eliminate or reduce the possibility of employee falls.”*

For purposes of determining the applicability of section 1926.501(b)(13), the term “residential construction” is interpreted as covering construction work that satisfies the following two elements:

(1) The end-use of the structure being built must be as a home, i.e., a dwelling; and
(2) The structure being built must be constructed using traditional wood frame construction materials and
     methods.

For more information regarding changes to fall protection requirements in the residential construction industry, please visit www.osha.gov/doc/residential_fall_protection.html

One man aerial lift by by Reechcraft-Powerlift

SAFETY

Reechcraft treats safety as job one. PowerLift was designed for safety as well as convenience and productivity and fully meets ANSI A92.3 safety standards. You can’t be productive if you don’t feel safe. The fully enclosed personnel basket on the PowerLift provides security and safety. An anchor point for a safety harness is also provided. A hand crank system is provided for emergency lowering if there is a loss of power or the operator is incapacitated.

PRODUCTIVITY

PowerLift is perfect for locations where access is difficult for other lifts such as down stairs and tight spaces. It works great in factories, warehouses, offices, and homes. It’s a super lift for outdoor work as well.

PORTABILITY

PowerLift is the lightest mid-range lift on the market. At 278 lbs empty weight one person can easily move it about on it’s castors. Other mid level lifts weigh more than 650 lbs, too heavy to carry up slopes or stairs.

SIMPLICITY

PowerLift’s only electrical component is the drill for power(corded or cordless). There are no expensive controls, sensors or switches to go wrong and repair. PowerLift is very simple to operate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVxVbx9SJs

Werner Ladder Three Section Extension Ladder

Werner Ladder  has developed a three section extension ladder that is easy to transport and also compact enough to take into tight areas and extend.  Here is a like to a video showing it in use.  It has an OSHA duty rating of Type II.  It is now also available in fiberglass with a Type IA duty rating.  The sizes available are 16ft, 20ft, 24ft 28ft., and 32ft.

Scaffold Safety Refesher

Here is a list of safety tips you should pass on as reminders to your employees to keep them safe on scaffold:

• Ensure scaffold is sound, rigid and sufficient to carry its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load without settling or displacement.
• Erect the scaffold on solid footing
• DO NOT use unstable objects, such as barrels, boxes, loose bricks or concrete blocks, to support scaffold or planks
• DO NOT erect, move, dismantle or alter scaffold except under the supervision of a competent person.
• Equip all scaffold with a guardrails, midrails and toeboards.
• Immediately repair or replace scaffold accessories, such as braces, brackets, trusses, screw legs or ladders, that are damaged or weakened from any cause
• Ensure scaffold platforms are tightly planked with scaffold plank grade material or its equal.
• Make certain that a competent person (per OSHA) inspects all scaffolding and re-inspects it at designated times. 
• Instruct employees about the hazards of using diagonal braces as fall protection.
• Access scaffold only by using ladders and stairwells.
• Keep scaffolds at least 10ft. from electric power lines at all times.