When it comes to playing fast and loose with safety, some of the worst offenders are commercial and residential building contractors. They need to work quickly and efficiently, and must be able to freely move around the roof of a building. As a result, they sometimes ignore the need for safety precautions and devices.
The construction crew pictured here is taking a particularly cavalier approach to getting the job done. Judging by the perspective of this photo and the position of the background, it looks like these three men are working two to three stories off the ground. Here are the biggest safety problems we see:
No railing or fall arrest system at the roof’s edge
When working at this height, OSHA requires construction crews to erect a temporary railing, to prevent workers from accidentally falling over the edge. This contractor doesn’t bother with such an engineered safety device. The young worker on the upper right side of the picture is walking within 2 feet of the roof’s edge. The other worker in the background is also working very close to the edge.
OSHA regulations state, "Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems." <29 cfr part 1926 subpart m (fall protection), §1926.501(b)(1)>. Clearly, these workers are more than 6 ft. above the ground.
Workers are not wearing fall restraint harnesses
OSHA says, "A fall arrest system is required if any risk exists that a worker may fall from an elevated position, as a general rule, the fall arrest system should be used anytime a working height of six feet or more is reached." It also specifies different types of belts and harnesses that are acceptable under certain circumstances here.
Clearly, these three workers are in violation of OSHA regulations and would be cited if an inspector showed up at this job site. One other point: The worker with the hammer in the foreground is kneeling next to what looks like an opening. There is no telling how far down the next level is. But it’s safe to say that if this worker lost his balance and tumbled into it, he would be injured, if not killed.
Abundant trip hazards
In the center of the picture, nails and scraps of wood are scattered around the roof. The worker in the center of the picture, with his back to us, could easily trip and fall over the circular saw and cord if he took a step backward.
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