How to Get the Best Rooftop Fall Protection for Manufacturing Facilities May 04, 2021 Falls are often the biggest safety risks when it comes to occupational injuries in manufacturing plants. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), falls, trips and slips are among the main causes of occupational injuries. So elevated working areas and rooftops call for suitable fall protection solutions, practices, and training. While solution options may differ, metal guardrails are going to be part of nearly every facility’s fall protection, and non-penetrating safety railing often offers the best rooftop fall protection for any manufacturing facility. Safety Statistics in the Manufacturing IndustryAccidents are bound to happen in any manufacturing plant. The fiscal year 2018 saw OSHA levying at least $38 million in fines to manufacturing companies for going against safety requirements. About four out of every 100 full-time workers experienced an injury or illness in the workplace. Falls were among the main causes of days away from work, as well as for the most serious injuries. These data points further prove the need for fall protection on work sites, and adherence to OSHA requirements and guidelines especially in the manufacturing sector. The OSHA BasicsAs a business owner, you’re already (or should be) aware of the OSHA 1910.28 requirement – “the employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling.” In order to ensure this, you may need to install passive (think guardrails) or active (think anchorage points, safety harnesses, and lanyards) fall protection equipment to meet these guidelines. Guardrails and their OSHA Requirements Ideally, your safety railing choice will not only be OSHA compliant, it will also be the best all-around solution for your facility’s needs. With the best roof guardrails, you may be able to fully meet requirements for fall protection without the need for any extra equipment or processes. When making your choice, be sure to consider compliance with OSHA regulations, the railing baseplates’ weight, ease of installation/replacement, and possible roof damage. Adblock test (Why?)