Roofing safety checklist for low-slope and steep roofs
Version 1 · https://conformata.io/checklists/construction/roofing-safety-checklist · Made with Conformata. Guidance, not legal advice; sources at https://conformata.io/checklists/construction/roofing-safety-checklist/sources
Roofing safety checklist for low-slope and steep roofs
Free roofing safety checklist based on 29 CFR 1926.501-503: roof slope, guardrails, warning lines, safety monitor, skylights, materials and training.
How often: Before work starts on each roof and again whenever the roof, crew or fall protection changes. The standard calls for frequent and regular inspections of job sites by competent persons but sets no fixed interval for roof checks; your organization sets it.
- Sections
- 8
- Checks
- 49
- Critical
- 3
- Sources
- 67
0/47 answered
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Site address and roof area being checked *
Date of check *
Name of the competent person doing the check *
Roof slope *
Low-slope (4 in 12 or less)Steep (more than 4 in 12)
Any unprotected side or edge of the roof is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level *
YesNo
The roof deck has been checked and is strong enough to support the crew, materials and equipment *
YesNo
Fall protection used on this roof *
Guardrail systemSafety net systemPersonal fall arrest systemWarning line with guardrailWarning line with safety netWarning line with personal fall arrestWarning line with safety monitorSafety monitor alone (low-slope roof 50 feet wide or less)
The chosen fall protection is in place before anyone starts work near an unprotected edge *
YesNo
Mark N/A when no guardrail is used on this roof.
Top rail is 42 inches (1.1 m), plus or minus 3 inches, above the roof surface
YesNoN/A
A midrail, screen, mesh, intermediate vertical members or equivalent intermediate members fill the space below the top rail wherever there is no parapet at least 21 inches (53 cm) high
YesNoN/A
No steel or plastic banding is used as a top rail or midrail
YesNoN/A
Wire rope top rails carry high-visibility flags at no more than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals
YesNoN/A
On a steep roof, guardrails have toeboards along the edge
YesNoN/A
At the hoisting point, a chain, gate or removable guardrail section closes the opening whenever no hoisting is going on
YesNoN/A
Anyone who leans through the hoist opening to receive or guide material is tied off with a personal fall arrest system
YesNoN/A
Mark N/A when no warning line is used.
The warning line runs around all sides of the roof work area
YesNoN/A
The warning line is at least 6 feet (1.8 m) back from every roof edge
YesNoN/A
Where mechanical equipment is used, the line is at least 10 feet (3.1 m) back from edges perpendicular to the direction the equipment travels
YesNoN/A
The line's lowest point, including sag, is at least 34 inches (0.9 m) above the roof and its highest point is no more than 39 inches (1.0 m)
YesNoN/A
The line is flagged with high-visibility material at intervals of 6 feet (1.8 m) or less
YesNoN/A
Stanchions stand upright and firm and are not leaning or tipping toward the edge
YesNoN/A
Access points, material handling, storage and hoisting areas connect to the work area by a path formed by two warning lines
YesNoN/A
When the access path is not in use, a rope, chain or barricade as strong and high as the warning line closes it, or the path is offset
YesNoN/A
Only workers doing roofing work are in the area between the warning line and the roof edge
YesNoN/A
Mechanical equipment is used and stored only where workers are protected by a warning line, guardrail or personal fall arrest system
YesNoN/A
Mark N/A when no safety monitor is used.
Name of the competent person designated as safety monitor
Where a safety monitor is used without a warning line, the roof is 50 feet (15.25 m) wide or less
YesNoN/A
The monitor is on the same roof surface as the workers and can see each of them
YesNoN/A
The monitor is close enough to warn each worker by voice
YesNoN/A
The monitor has no other tasks that take attention away from watching the workers
YesNoN/A
No mechanical equipment is used or stored in the area covered by the safety monitor
YesNoN/A
Every skylight and roof hole is covered or guarded, or workers near it use personal fall arrest *
YesNoN/A
Covers are fastened down so wind, equipment or workers cannot shift them
YesNoN/A
Covers are color coded or marked "HOLE" or "COVER"
YesNoN/A
Covers can hold at least twice the weight of the workers, equipment and materials that may be on them at one time
YesNoN/A
No materials or equipment are stored within 6 feet (1.8 m) of a roof edge unless guardrails are up at that edge *
YesNo
Bundles and stacks placed near a roof edge are stable and self-supporting
YesNoN/A
Below the roof, the drop zone is barricaded and kept clear, or toeboards, screens or a canopy stop falling objects, and anyone exposed wears a hard hat *
YesNo
Mark N/A when no personal fall arrest system is used. Use the harness and lanyard inspection checklist for component checks.
Each worker inspected their harness, lanyard and connectors before use today, and any damaged part was taken out of service
YesNoN/A
Roof anchors are independent of anything supporting a platform and are rated for 5,000 lb (22.2 kN) per worker, or are part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two, designed, installed and used under a qualified person
YesNoN/A
The system is rigged so a worker cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or hit a lower level
YesNoN/A
A way to promptly rescue a worker after a fall is arranged, or workers can rescue themselves
YesNoN/A
Every worker exposed to fall hazards on this roof has been trained by a competent person in the fall protection being used *
YesNo
A written training record exists for each worker, with name, training date and the trainer's or employer's signature *
YesNo
Workers know their role in the safety monitoring system and the limits on mechanical equipment on low-slope roofs
YesNoN/A
Decision *
Fall protection in place: work may proceedHazard found: work stopped at the affected area until corrected
Describe each problem found, where it is and who will fix it
Photos of problems found
Use “Photo” below to add photos from this device.
Competent person's signature
Sign the printed copy, or sign electronically in Conformata.
I checked the fall protection on this roof as recorded above before work started.
Signature
Name and date
Run it with your team in Conformata
- Schedule it per site and assign it to the right people.
- Turn every failed check into a corrective action that someone else verifies.
- Keep signatures, photos and the full audit history across sites.
Answers on this page stay on this device; they are not transferred.
Frequently asked questions
When is fall protection required for roofing work?
Can a safety monitor be used instead of guardrails or harnesses?
Only on low-slope roofs. A warning line plus a safety monitoring system is one of the listed options [14], and a safety monitor alone is permitted on low-slope roofs 50 feet (15.25 m) or less in width [15]. Steep roofs need guardrails with toeboards, safety nets or personal fall arrest [18]. Mechanical equipment may not be used or stored where a safety monitor is protecting roofers [54].
How far from the roof edge does a warning line go?
Does fall protection apply when someone inspects or measures a roof before work starts?
The fall protection subpart does not apply when employees are inspecting, investigating or assessing workplace conditions before construction work actually starts or after it is complete [4]. Once roofing work begins, it applies.
Built from 67 official sources
Every check traces to the text it is based on. Read the purpose, how to use it, the rules behind it, what it does not cover and every source.
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Guidance, not legal advice. It does not replace the law, the manufacturer's instructions or your organization's competent people, and completing it does not certify that work is safe.