Green Roof Safety

Safety is of paramount importance for ANYONE working on a green roof.  I am a lawyer by formal graduate education and am significantly tort aware of any green roof activity that does not follow generally accepted standards, rules or regulations.  Safety is a must!  A fall from the roof came be fatal.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with these resources and others that are relevant to safety on Green Roofs!

• United States Department of Labor OSHA Fall Protection rules
• Workers on an unprotected edge higher than 6' off the ground must be protected with either; a guardrail system, safety net systems or a personal fall arrest system.
• Informative YouTube video about Residential Fall Protection Systems
• Another great but a little out of date video about Residential roofing safety.  Always check your codes and rules to make sure they are up to date.
• Informative video about Roofing Safety by PublicResourceOrg
• Great informative article about OSHA and Roofing Safety by BuilderOnline
• Personal Fall Protection Systems and Anchors by Grainger
• Roof railings supply website and catalog
• Another great Fall Protection website for supplies
• Gempler's Safety Tip Sheet - The Dangers of Working on a Roof (PDF)
• GAF's DIY Roofing Safety Website

Most of the time when we talk about Green Roofs we discuss plants, irrigation, soil media or other technical aspects of creating a living, thriving ecosystem on a rooftop.  Life on top  of a building is so important for the survival of cities.  Life is also important to each of us, our friends and families.

Green Roof safety gear, Metroverde hardhat, vest and safety glasses.  Safety first on a green roof!

Roofs present fall hazards and green roofs do also.  A fall from the roof can seriously or even fatally injure a worker or invitee.  Green Roof safety is of paramount importance.

Thanks to Tad and Jimmy of Sterling Roofing for the recent and ongoing educational opportunities about safety first on a roof and for the hardhat, vest and personal safety glasses.

When I visit a site I am basically prepared to walk through construction (including my safety toe boots) with my hardhat, safety glasses and bright orange vest.  A construction site poses many risks.  Adequate safety rated personal protection gear is essential.

Up on the roof I will always make sure I am protected by guardrails, personal fall protection gear or safety nets.

Importantly, the construction job must have a safety plan in place and entering a job site without the proper protective gear can result in OSHA citations, fines or removal from the job site.  This is all for one good purpose - to prevent unnecessary injuries.