Safety Near Skylights: Essential Fall Protection Measures

Skylights:  A Hidden Danger on Rooftops

Over the last five years, 146 serious injuries and deaths involving skylights were reported to OSHA.

If your building has skylights or if your employees work on roofs with skylights, there are critical safety measures you must implement. Workers in maintenance, engineering, HVAC, CCTV, solar technology, electrical work, plumbing, wireless technology, snow removal, and roofing all spend significant time on roofs.  Unprotected skylights are a frequent cause of catastrophic falls.

Real-Life Experience:  The Importance of Qualified Contractors

At my previous company, we installed skylights throughout our warehouse to save energy and promote sustainability.  The natural light improved our workers’ environment, and we saved on electricity costs.  However, five years later, during roof repairs by a third-party roofing contractor, a fatal accident occurred.  One of the contractors fell through a skylight while taking a break, leading to fatal injuries.

While the contractor was a qualified roofing company, this incident happened because a temporary laborer was hired by the contractor and not trained on the necessary safety protocols.  This highlights the critical importance of ensuring that every person working near skylights is qualified and aware of the dangers.  While skylights are specifically identified as a fall hazard in both the General Industry and Construction OSHA regulations, they remain commonly overlooked.

Case in Point: Recent Tragedy in Atlanta

Recently in Atlanta, a crew began their first day working to remove tar and stone from metal roof panels at a warehouse.  Unfortunately, the day ended in tragedy when a 54-year-old laborer stepped on a skylight and fell approximately 19 feet, suffering fatal injuries.  The U.S. Department of Labor’s investigation revealed that the Georgia construction contractor could have prevented this tragedy by providing the required fall protection.

Hazard Assessment and Safety Measures

From a hazard assessment standpoint, skylights should be viewed as open holes in the roof and must be subject to the same protective requirements.  Ideally, all skylights would have protective screens or guards installed.  However, this is not as common as it should be.  If you have employees on a roof with unprotected skylights, you must develop a plan to mitigate the hazard.

According to 29 CFR 1910.23(a)(4), skylights in the roof of buildings through which persons may fall while walking or working must be guarded.  Guarding can be a fixed standard railing on all exposed sides alternatively a cover or a screen capable of supporting a load of twice the weight of any worker and tools likely to be exposed.

Strategies for Protection

Skylights can contribute to energy savings and sustainability by providing natural light.  You can manage the risks associated with skylights with proper planning and investment in the safety of anyone working around them by taking these actions:

1. Safety Railings and Protected Walkways:
   • Install safety railings around frequently visited rooftop locations, such as HVAC air handlers requiring filter changes.  Provide a protected walkway from the roof access point.
   • If a skylight is inside the perimeter of your work area, it should be protected by safety railing on all sides.  This provides a high level of protection without needing to safeguard the entire roof area.
   • Implement a strict policy requiring temporary fall protection for work required outside the protected areas.
   • OSHA’s requirements for safety covers can be somewhat nebulous. The covers must support twice the weight of employees and tools likely to be applied. While site-built temporary skylight covers are an option, they need to be substantial and designed by someone competent.
2. Designated Areas with Warning Lines:
   • OSHA permits the use of warning lines to create ‘Designated Areas.’  If any part of the Designated Area is within 6 feet of a roof edge or skylight, that area must have fall protection safety railing or a skylight cover in place.
   • Opting for safety railings seems to be a more reliable option.  There are several non-penetrating temporary safety railing systems available that protect workers without compromising the building’s roofing system integrity.
3. Establish a Roof Access Policy: 
   • A comprehensive roof access policy is crucial for ensuring the safety of all personnel who work on or near rooftops.
   • The policy should establish clear guidelines and procedures for accessing the roof, identifies potential hazards, and mandates the use of appropriate fall protection measures.
   • It ensures that all workers, including employees and contractors, are adequately trained on the risks associated with rooftop work, including the dangers posed by unprotected skylights.

In conclusion, ensuring safety near skylights is a matter of life and death.  Proper planning, hazard assessment, investment in safety measures, and thorough training for all personnel can prevent tragic accidents.  As employers and contractors, it is our responsibility to protect those working on rooftops by providing the necessary fall protection and safety guidelines.

Contact us  today to learn more about how we can assist you with best solutions for your safety and compliance needs.  Let our expert team help you ensure a safer and more efficient workplace.

Article written by:

Alistair Paget, NRP, Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Professional Member of the American Society of Safety Engineers