Rooftop Systems

Rooftop Systems

Posted by Howie Scarboro - CEO Fall Protection Distributors, LLC on Oct 31st 2022

Rooftop safety is a serious issue. Every year, there are countless injuries and fatalities that occur as a result of falls from roofs. That's why it's important to have the proper rooftop protection systems in place to keep your employees safe. In this blog post, we will discuss the different rooftop protection systems that you can use to protect your workers!

OSHA Fall Protection Regulations

Under OSHA 1926.501, an employer is required to offer fall safety training to any worker susceptible to falling hazards. This training is provided by a competent person and includes identifying fall hazards and the procedures to follow when they occur. The training is aimed at learning about inspecting and dismantling fall protection devices. Retraining can take place if training has been rendered obsolete due to the change in the conditions of the workplace or in falling protection systems. Retraining may be required if the worker's performance reveals a need.

Leading Edge Fall Protection Systems For Roofs

With 2017's updated OSHA 1910.29 fall protection standards, the roof fall protection requirements are now clearer and easier to understand. Employees who work on an unprotected roof edge must receive proper safety equipment for falls and have access to fall protection systems. Fall Protection Distributors is an industry-leading manufacturer of roof fall protection systems in the United States. We've developed a range of roof fall protection solutions with everything you need to work safely at height.

RidgePro hook being used for fall protection on a shingle roof.

Built to Last and Proven to Work

A commonly underappreciated component of fall protection for roofs includes durability and certification through development and testing. Roofing materials and permanent fall protection systems are subjected to extreme environmental conditions.

At Fall Protection Distributors, we make sure our products and fall protection systems are built to withstand tough rooftop conditions. We also offer a wide range of rooftop fall protection products that are certified to work together as a system, ensuring safety and compliance on your rooftop.

Solutions for all types of roofs

Lifeline products can be provided on low-sloped roofs or on high-sloped roofs. We offer a wide array of roof-mounted protection systems to protect you from accidental falls. All of our lifelines provide constant protection for employees working above the ground. Fall Protection Distributors carries varying roof fall protection options including a range of roof anchors and harnesses, as well as rigid rail systems and economically durable permanent lifelines. Portable fall protection is also available in countless configuration options depending upon a variety of requirements.

The right safety solutions for your rooftop

Fall Protection on existing or newly constructed roofs is sometimes difficult to provide. Nobody wants more holes on their roof or unattractive railings. Thankfully Fall Protection distributors manufactures numerous freestanding and non-penetrating fall protection products including the all-in-one Standing Seam Roof Anchor, SSRA1, to fit new or current standing seam roofs without the need for additional fixtures.

Experts In Roof Fall Arrest

Fall Protection Distributors is credited as being the only real turnaround solution provider for fall arrest systems. Our goal at Fall Protection Distributors is to provide quality and cost effective safety solutions. Please see a detailed list of fall prevention products on our website.

Counterweight Fall Protection Systems

The counterweight fall protection system is designed with no penetration and will not damage the roof. This system is used for a flatter roof and is used along with a counterweighted skid cart that serves as an anchor point. Some of these are specifically crafted to tie-on and sometimes have several tie-offs. This solution is suitable for installing fall restraints and fall safety equipment. Counterweights are typically temporary configurations.

Permanent / Fixed Fall Protection Systems

If you have a need for greater fall protection, you might require roof protection that is permanently installed. This permanent system is designed by our professionals and installed on roofs by a certified crew. The vertical line is fixed onto the roof surface to permit multiple workers to tie-off on it. Here are some examples of permanent and semi-permanent fall protection systems:

Grabbers

Grabbers are a non-penetrating fall protection system that is placed near the roof in the form of a mobile system and is used to tie off. They are easy to maneuver around and can be quickly repositioned as needed. These rooftop safety systems do not penetrate the roofing surface and will not damage the rooftop.

Railings

Roof edge railings are one of the most common rooftop safety solutions. They are a physical barrier that is placed around the perimeter of the roof and can be used to tie off. Railings on roofs are typically made from aluminum or steel and can be powder coated to match the existing roof color.

Rooftop safety netting

Netting systems are another form of non-penetrating rooftop fall protection. They are placed around the perimeter of the roof and can be used to catch someone who has fallen. Netting is typically made from nylon or polyester and can be customized to fit any size rooftop.

Parapets

A parapet is a wall that is built up around the edge of a roof. It can be used to tie off and is a physical barrier that will prevent someone from falling off the roof. Parapets are typically made from concrete or brick and can be customized to fit any size rooftop.

Lifelines

A lifeline is a rope or cable that is used to tie off. It is typically attached to an anchor point and can be used to catch someone who has fallen. Lifelines are typically made from nylon or polyester and can be customized to fit any size rooftop.

Roof fall protection systems are an important safety solution for any business with employees who work on rooftops. There are many different rooftop safety solutions available, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs. The type of rooftop, the type of work being done, and the number of employees working on the rooftop all need to be considered when choosing a rooftop safety solution.

Anchor post being used for fall protection on a standing seam roof.

Other Things To Consider

Comfort

You will want to be as comfortable as possible when working on a rooftop. That means choosing the right rooftop safety solution for the job. If you are going to be working on a rooftop for a long period of time, you will want to choose a solution that is comfortable and easy to use.

Ease of Use

The rooftop safety solution you choose should be easy to use. It should be easy to set up and take down, and it should be easy to move around on the rooftop.

DurabilityThe rooftop safety solution you choose should be durable. It should be able to withstand the elements and the wear and tear of being used on a rooftop.

Cost

The rooftop safety solution you choose should be cost effective. It should be priced competitively and it should be able to save you money in the long run.

There are many rooftop safety solutions available on the market, so it is important to do your research before choosing one. Make sure to consider all of the factors listed above before making your finally choosing your fall protection system..

Final Thoughts

When it comes to rooftop safety, there are many different solutions available. The type of rooftop, the type of work being done, and the number of employees working on the rooftop all need to be considered when choosing a rooftop safety solution. Make sure to do your research and consider all of the factors listed above before making your final decision.

Now that you know more about rooftop safety solutions, it's time to start shopping for the right one for your needs. There are many different rooftop safety solutions available on the market, so make sure to do your research before making your final purchase. Thank you for reading!

Howie Scarboro, C.E.O. and co-founder of Fall Protection Distributors, L.L.C., recognized the need for continued improvements in roofing safety during the 2010 MetalCon show in Las Vegas. He joined forces with SnoBlox-Snojax, a leader in snow retention and seam clamping technology for metal roofs, to create the SSRA1 prototype. Tested by Gravitec for OSHA/ANSI certifications, the SSRA1 proved to be the industry's lightest, most robust, and most universal-fit anchor point for standing seam roofs. Fall Protection Distributors, L.L.C. was born in 2015, shaping the future of fall protection and instilling confidence in the industry.