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805 Fall Protection in Construction
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Safety Monitoring

A safety-monitoring system involves a competent person who is responsible for recognizing and warning employees of fall hazards.

Safety Monitoring

The method relies on a person, rather than a mechanical system, to warn roofers if they are in danger of falling.

Each employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels must be protected from falling by:

  • guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or
  • a combination of warning line system and:
    • guardrail system,
    • safety net system,
    • personal fall arrest system, or
    • safety monitoring system.

On roofs 50-feet (15.25 m) or less in width (see 1926 Subpart M Appendix A), the use of a safety monitoring system alone [i.e. without the warning line system] is permitted.

The safety monitor's responsibilities include:

  • recognizing fall hazards;
  • warning employees when they are unaware of hazards or aren't working safely;
  • staying on the same walking/working surface as the workers to see them and to communicate with them while they are working; and
  • avoiding any other work or distracting activity while monitoring the workers.

Only those who are doing roofing work are permitted in the area controlled by the safety monitor. Mechanical equipment can't be used or stored in the area.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-7. Which action violates the responsibilities assigned to safety monitors?