Solution Summary: FallGuards for Skylights
Risks Addressed:
NIOSH has considered preventing falls through skylights or uncovered roof and floor openings a NIOSH priority for 30 years, given the fatality rate has remained a serious health concern in the U.S. Fatal falls result from inadequate fall protection for those working around skylights and roof and floor openings. In accordance with OSHA standards, a fall protection system must be implemented on all job sites.
Although skylights are aesthetically desirable features in buildings, falls through fragile roofing materials and skylights are statistically high and may lead to injuries and fatalities. Uncovered or unguarded skylights expose workers to danger if they do not have appropriate fall protection systems.
How Risks are Reduced:
ASTM WK17797 testing guidelines must be used to determine the strength of skylight materials to withstand a worker’s weight while also considering the impact of sun exposure on degradation of materials after several years. Although these guidelines and tests exist, employers should not rely on manufacturer testing alone; instead they must ensure that an appropriate fall protection system is prepared to prevent falls through skylights. The fall protection can consist of fallguards for skylights, which can support more than 400 pounds (twice the weight of the two workers plus their equipment), or guardrails at least 45 inches in height with a top rail and mid rail that can support without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time (OSHA 1910.29.e.1). In this solution, the fallguard skylight screen is offered to eliminate the risk of falling through skylights and the consequential injuries and deaths.
Figure 4. Example of a guardrail skylight protection. (Photo courtesy of Flexible Lifeline Systems Inc.)
Availability
Peak Supply Company
To obtain information, visit http://www.peaksupplycompany.com/
or contact 1-614-876-8698
Plasteco Inc.
To obtain information, visit http://www.plasteco.com
or contact 1-713-673-7710
Flexible Lifeline Systems, Inc.
To obtain information, visit https://fall-arrest.com
or contact 1-832-448-9225
Garlock Safety Systems
To obtain information, visit http://www.garlocksafety.com
or contact 1-763-694-2624