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The Question:
Our affiliate currently uses H.U.G.S. (guardrail system) for roof work. Is that sufficient to prevent all fall-related injuries or is there other equipment our affiliate should also be using?
The Answer:
H.U.G.S. is a guardrail perimeter fall protection system (others are available too) designed to prevent workers from falling off the roof to the ground over the exterior leading edge. Your affiliate is also required, per OSHA, to provide interior fall protection, which involves requiring all sheathing workers to wear harnesses and some form of lanyard to prevent falling through an interior opening. This applies to sheathing operations, when working with skylights, or other roof or floor openings, where a fall distance of 6 feet or greater exists.
For additional training on this and other safety-related topics, visit our library of free, online safety training courses and our Safety News on our website.
We also encourage you to contact Sarah Wishon, HFHI Safety Program Specialist, at swishon@habitat.org or 404-420-6758, to sign up for or schedule Competent Person training in your area, as required by OSHA.