10 Questions to Ask Before You Contract for Fall Protection
OSHA is serious about protecting workers on the roof. Are you? If you have people working on the roof at risk of an injury, installing fall protection equipment is the best way to reduce the chance of an accident. Your roofing contractor can help. Before you contract with them, ask these 10 questions.
1. Are you certified to do this install?
Installers need to have a relationship with the fall protection equipment manufacturer. They’re the ones that provide training on proper installation methods for their products and may even visit the jobsite to ensure all equipment has been installed as the engineer designed it. “As more building owners realize that the standard is being enforced, more manufacturers are popping up,” says Kirk Dighton, Safety Manager, D. C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, IA. “The industry is growing exponentially. You need to really vet these companies.” The safety of employees (and contractors) working on the roof is dependent on quality products and proper installation. Ask your roofing contractor about the training they’ve received from the equipment manufacturer and what the product company’s involvement with the project will be.
2. Can you provide references?
Ask for examples of projects similar to yours, and if you can reach out to the customer. Validating the contractor’s experience with the products and the happiness of past customers is a good way to predict your own satisfaction with their workmanship.
3. What standards/regulations do you follow?
Your roofing contractor should understand and follow OSHA 1926.500 (Duty to have fall protection) for construction professionals when installing the fall protection equipment at access points and on the roof. Additionally, they should understand OSHA 1910 Subpart D (Walking-Working Surfaces) for general industry, which is your requirement to provide fall protection for employees and contractors working on the roof. Knowledge of both standards is essential to ensure the equipment specified and installed complies with OSHA regulations, as well as the work performed during the equipment installation project.
4. What types of fall protection equipment do you install?
There are a wealth of fall protection equipment options available to you, including guard rail (weighted and fixed), single point roof anchors, horizontal lifelines, elevated walkway with handrails, skylight screens, roof hatches, and ladder safety systems. Make sure that the contractor you’re partnering with has experience with a wide variety of solutions so that the proposal includes the systems and products best suited to your goals.
5. Do you provide a risk assessment/survey?
In order to determine which fall protection equipment is right for your facility and its users, an in-depth evaluation of access points and the field of the roof is necessary. Expect to answer questions about who is working on the roof, where, why, and how often. You may also be asked about your preferences, such as whether you want an active system (e.g., where individuals are required to wear a harness and hook to anchors or a lifeline) or to take a passive approach (where guard rail provides a physical barrier to prevent people from getting too close to the roof’s edge).
6. What is included in your proposal?
The proposal should include options, not only for the type of equipment installed, but also, when relevant, its aesthetics. Not keen on how a bright yellow guard rail will look? It can be powder coated or color matched so it doesn’t detract from the architecture.
7. Do you offer training on the use of the system to my employees?
More than likely, the equipment manufacturer will come to the facility and offer initial training on the fall protection equipment, its use, and its care. If you have an active fall protection system (e.g., fall arrest or fall restraint with anchor points or a lifeline), it will provide a schedule for how often the system should be inspected and recertified. Make sure your installer/roofing contractor is qualified to inspect the system in the future.
8. How long will the installation take?
Similar to roofing projects, understanding the duration of the project will help you prepare for any inconvenience that ensues. Make sure to discuss when the optimal time for the project is with your contractor; they may be able to work weekends or early mornings to avoid disruption.
9. How do I know your workers are safe?
Ask for incident rates and about what crews are trained on and how frequently. You should expect full transparency and ample information; if you don’t get it, be leery. And even when you get the reassurance you need to sign the contract, make a point to check in on the crew at work (so long as you’re safe doing so).
10. Do you provide a warranty?
The fall protection equipment that’s installed should come with a warranty. This will be provided by the manufacturer, along with the warranty conditions and requirements.
Getting information up front increases the likelihood that the equipment specified is right for your facility and its users and that it is installed correctly to ensure maximum safety.
Have a need for fall protection at your facility? Contact D. C. Taylor Co. today at 319.731.4118 or email [email protected].
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