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Baking soda (a.k.a. bicarbonate of soda) became popular as a leavening agent because it reacts with vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk to raise dough or batter, making baked goods light and fluffy. No one wants their cake to fall.
Many people also buy baking soda because of its versatile uses around the house. It is a low-cost, easy-to-use cleaning agent, odor neutralizer, weed killer, and personal care ingredient (e.g., toothpaste, exfoliant, heartburn relief). As a safety precaution, keep baking soda available to smother a small grease or electrical fire.
Building and business owners, safety and facility managers install guardrails around the perimeter of their rooftop as a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and regulatory-compliant method of fall protection. Guardrail systems also have versatile use around the roof to protect access points, walkways, and skylights. No one wants their workers to fall.
With floor space for primary operations at a premium, buildings often house heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and other facility support equipment on the rooftop. These systems must be inspected and maintained regularly, exposing workers to several fall hazards, often under harsh weather conditions.
Canadian Occupational Health & Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) stipulate that employers must install a fall-protection system if work is to be performed from a structure at a height of 3 meters (10 feet) or more (12.07 (1)). Individual provinces and territories have similar regulations and state that fall protection systems can be “active” or “passive.”
Active fall protection involves the worker directly and typically includes harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, and anchors. Workers must receive certified training to inspect and use this equipment, which is subject to wear and tear. An active system protects one worker, and systems require periodic recertification.
Passive fall protection places a barrier between the worker and the fall hazard, such as the roof edge. It is also considered “collective” because it protects multiple workers. Collective systems are a continuous, permanent solution that does not rely on purchasing and replacing special equipment or paying for extensive worker training.
Workers protected by a collective system are highly productive. They can get to work without inspecting, donning, or attaching their equipment. Unlike components of active systems, which will need to be replaced, collective systems are a one-time investment with a long service life and minimal maintenance or repairs.
Installing compliant guardrails can also decrease injuries and associated legal penalties while providing long-term savings by reducing liability.
SOR/86-304 2.12 of the Canadian Occupational Health & Safety Regulations states that a guardrail system must be highly visible and conform to the following:
Modular guardrail systems constructed of corrosion-resistant aluminum or galvanized steel provide the strength to comply with regulations. The rails are connected with pipe fittings that are securely tightened using a torque wrench or hex key for fast, simple assembly. Perimeter guardrail systems feature counterweight bases of recycled PVC that provide supporting ballast in a freestanding system that does not penetrate the roof.
Systems are installed without welding, drilling, or specialized tools and can be assembled with minimal disruption to daily operations. Powder coating will make the safety railings highly visible and provide an added layer of system durability. Once installed, roof guardrails need little maintenance. Unlike active systems requiring regular inspections and recertifications, guardrails function effectively with periodic checks for stability and wear.
While the roof edge is the most apparent fall hazard, roof access areas, pathways, and skylights pose risks. Types of guardrail systems that should be installed include:
A) Roof Perimeter Guardrail
The modular design makes a roof perimeter system adaptable to virtually any roof layout, as it can negotiate around obstacles. It can be fitted to concrete, asphalt, membrane, and felt roof surfaces on flat and low-sloped roofs.
B) Roof Access Guardrail
Roof hatches and ladders are two standard means of accessing the rooftop, and they present a significant fall hazard during roof egress and ingress.
1. A roof hatch guardrail kit securely clamps to the hatch, so it is non-penetrating. Models are available to fit all standard hatches and feature a grab bar to aid in climbing. A self-closing safety gate closes automatically once the worker passes through to protect the opening.
2. A roof ladder kit has a flanking roof edge guardrail with a self-closing gate to protect the opening where a fixed ladder access system is installed.
C) Guarded Walkways
Rooftop walkways featuring anti-slip, self-draining nylon treads offer safe rooftop navigation along a designated path. They provide enhanced fall protection with guardrails on one or both sides. The walkways do not penetrate the roof and help protect the roof from foot traffic.
D) Skylight Guardrails
A skylight is considered a hole in the roof because it cannot necessarily support the weight of one worker. Skylight guardrail surrounds the skylight with a non-penetrating safety system.
E) Warning Lines
For infrequent (no more than once a month) and temporary (taking less than two hours) rooftop tasks, a demarcation warning line set at least 4.5 m (15 ft.) from the roof edge can provide acceptable protection. It can also be used with guardrails to designate a safe path. Warning lines are easy to install and consist of:
Every facility with rooftop access must prioritize fall protection to safeguard workers and comply with Canadian safety regulations. Rooftop guardrail systems offer versatile, cost-effective, easy-to-install, and compliant fall protection solutions. These collective systems minimize risk without disrupting daily operations. They provide long-term protection with minimal maintenance as they help prevent accidents and reduce liability.