Openings In Roof That Are Used As Access Points

Osha s general industry standard dealing with walking and working surfaces 1910 23 c protection of open sided floors platforms and runways section 1 states the following.

Openings in roof that are used as access points.

These include providing ventilation or additional light smoke venting and or allowing maintenance workers roof access. When unavoidable obstructions are encountered the minimum clearance at the obstruction may be reduced to 24 inches 61 cm provided deflector plates are installed see figure d 5 of this section. All openings greater than 1 2 should be sealed to exclude rats. Other objects that may be present on the roof such as.

Except for special cases the ratio of ventilation. This is in response to your letter of september 6 1996 in which you requested an interpretation of the occupational safety and health administration s osha standard on fall protection in a situation regarding floor roofing openings. Vent lines chimneys skylights and roof hatches 6. Do you think the ladder access point to this platform meets the osha standard for guarding.

Likely access points for rodents are where utility lines come into walls and openings around air conditioning drainpipes and vents. Location and verbiage of all markings labels and warning signs. Building photographs that may be useful in the evaluation of the array placement. Devices that are used to create a safe roof access system include roof access hatches anchor points ladder brackets safety signs and static lines.

There are more than a dozen trades in which workers are permitted regular access to flat or low sloped roofs including but not limited to roofing building maintenance hvac electrical plumbing and telecommunications personnel. Exterior wall openings at roof access points. Third to ensure adequate airflow the total area of ventilation openings required will depend on the type of roof. Even in new buildings utility pipes electrical conduit often at meters or circuit breaker panels water and gas lines and communication cables generally have large openings that permit entry of mice and rats.

Regardless of the openings function however failure to protect workers from the hazards these openings present can. Second the installation and materials used must be compatible with the gradient of the roof. Look for broken basement windows warped doors and unscreened vents as possible points of entry. Gap 3 4 x 26 inch between wall covering and framing at roof joint allowing rats and mice easy access.

A safe roof access system means any workers needing access to a roof may not need to set up temporary safety devices such as scaffolding or guard rails. Several types of products can be used to cover them which serve a variety of purposes. A minimum perpendicular distance of 30 inches 76 cm from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest object on the climbing side. Every open sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level.

2911 hubbell avenue des moines iowa 50317. Industry market study there are nearly 275 000 commercial unit skylights sold annually. According to the fgia previously known as aama 2015 2016 u s.