How to Use a Safety Harness for Roofing

Roofing is one of the most dangerous professions in the modern era, with a fatality rate 13 times higher than other trades. That’s why OSHA requires fall protection for falls over four feet. As a roofing business owner, it’s your job to provide safety harnesses for your team and ensure they’re used correctly. A quick inspection, proper fit, secure anchor, and double-checking connections can save lives.

Check everyone in your team is aware of workplace risks with our free H&S checklist! 

Learn how to erect a great roofing business 

• How to Start a Roofing Business
• The Best Roofing Boots
• When is Roof Safety Mesh Required in Australia
• The Best Roof Safety Equipment

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1. What is a roof safety harness?
2. What is a ‘Personal Fall Arrest System’?
3. Setting up a roof PFAS system
4. What is a slide guard?
5. Make a fall rescue plan

1. What is a roof safety harness?

A roof safety harness is essential for preventing serious injuries or fatalities when working at heights. They're made from adjustable straps, often made from nylon or polyester, which wrap around your legs, arms and chest to form a protective harness able to support your body from a rope should you fall from a roof. The harness will be connected to a secured anchor point via a connector and metal rings. There are two main types of harness systems: Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) and fall (or travel) restraints. While both offer protection, they serve different purposes and are regulated differently depending on the country:

• PFAS systems stop a fall before you hit the ground.
• Fall restraints prevent you from reaching the edge of the roof, eliminating the risk of falling.

PFAS' are the preferred system for roofers who often need to work near the roof’s edge.

2. What is a ‘Personal Fall Arrest System'?

A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) is designed to prevent falls from heights during tasks such as roof repairs or installations. The key parts of a PFAS are: 

Anchor point

• The anchor is the part of the system that catches you if you fall.
• Made from a durable metal, they're usually one of the following:
  • Fixed D-Rings: A solid metal ring secured to a structural surface.
  • Swivel Anchors: Rotating anchor points that allow for better mobility.
  • Roof Anchors: Typically a triangular or rectangular plate with pre-drilled holes for fasteners.
• It must be securely attached to a structural element of the roof, such as a truss or beam, not the shingles or sheathing.
• Anchor points need to be rated to handle at least 5,000 pounds of static load.

Harness

• The harness is made from durable materials like nylon, polyester, or even Kevlar. 
• Straps should go around your shoulders, chest, and between your legs.
• It must be snug but not restrictive, ensuring your weight is evenly supported and preventing slippage.
• Modern harnesses often come with adjustable straps for a more customised fit across various body sizes.
• The harness should feature a dorsal D-ring positioned between the shoulder blades.
• The harness must fit comfortably around your legs and chest while distributing impact evenly in case of a fall.
• OSHA requires leg straps instead of body belts for PFAS harnesses.

Connector

The connector includes a locking snap hook and lanyard that links the D-ring on the harness to the anchor point. The connector usually has a shock absorber and a decelerator to minimise the force of a fall. The connector connects the D-ring on the harness to the anchor point and typically includes:

• Locking Snap Hooks and Lanyards
  • Links the harness to the anchor, often with shock absorbers and decelerators to minimise fall forces.
• Shock Absorbers
  • Reduces the force of a fall by dissipating energy; can be built into lanyards or be bought as separate components.
• Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)
  • Retractable cables or webbing adjust as workers move, keeping the line taut and stopping falls instantly with an automatic braking system.
• Carabiners
  • High-strength metal loops with a spring-loaded gate for securely connecting harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points.

3. Setting up a roof PFAS system

Prepare the harness

• Check the harness for damage or wear, such as frayed straps, corrosion on metal parts, and proper functioning of buckles.
• Ensure a snug, secure fit around the legs and chest.

Get your equipment

• Anchor: The point of attachment for your PFAS.
• Lanyard: Connects the harness to the anchor.
• Fasteners: Appropriate nails or screws for securing the anchor.
• Ladder with Stabiliser: Ensures safe access to the roof, there should be three points of contact between the ladder and the stabiliser or supporting surface.
• Pry Bar and Hand Tools: For adjusting shingles and installing the anchor.
• Sturdy, Non-Slip Shoes: Provides traction and safety on the roof.
• Tool Belt or Bucket and Rope System: Keep your hands free when climbing.

Calculate fall distance

• Measure the fall distance:
  
  • Measure the distance from the worker's harness attachment point (D-ring) to the anchorage point, factoring in the length of the lanyard and any slack.
• Add up all factors affecting fall distance:
  
  • Freefall distance.
  • Deceleration distance (e.g., shock absorber elongation, typically 3.5 feet).
  • Harness slack.
  • Height of the back D-ring attachment.
  • Safety margin.

• Verify that the total fall distance complies with local safety regulations (e.g., OSHA allows a maximum freefall distance of 6 feet).
• Ensure the rope lanyard leaves at least a 2-foot safety margin from the ground or the nearest obstruction to prevent impact.

Install the anchor point

• Ensure the ladder is stable and properly secured.
• Climb carefully, maintaining three points of contact.
  
• Install slide guards from the ladder to prevent tools and materials from sliding off the roof.
• Find your anchor point location.
• Identify a solid structural area, typically the roof's ridgeline, to put the anchor placement.
• Loosen or remove ridge shingles as needed to access the installation area.
• Position the anchor at the chosen location.
  
• Use the manufacturer's recommended fasteners to secure the anchor to the roof.

Attach the lanyard

• Connect the lanyard to the installed anchor point.

Put on the harness

• Put on the full-body harness, ensuring a snug fit around the legs and chest.
• Adjust all straps for comfort and security.
• Connect your harness to the lanyard
• Attach the lanyard to the harness's dorsal D-ring, located between the shoulder blades.

Connect the fall protection system

• Attach the lifeline to the anchor (PFAS) or connect the SRL system directly to the anchor.
• Secure the lanyard or snap hook to the D-ring on the harness.
• Check all connections and fittings before starting work.

Add suspension trauma relief straps

• Attach suspension trauma relief straps to the harness.
• These straps allow you to stand and relieve pressure if suspended after a fall, reducing the risk of suspension trauma.

Check your connections

• Double-check that all components are properly connected and secure.
• Ensure the system is taut to minimise fall distance.

Do a final safety check

• Review all equipment and connections before beginning roofing work.
• Ensure compliance with all safety guidelines and manufacturer instructions.

Stay close to your anchor point

• Keep the system taut at all times.
• Avoid extreme distance to reduce the chances of a pendulum effect should you fall.
• Refer to your fall distance calculations and recalculate as necessary.
• When you need to move on to another part of the roof, you need to move the anchor point with you.

Common mistakes

• Attaching anchors to weak materials.
• Incorrect harness fit (too loose or too tight).
• Overlooking fall distance calculations.

4. What is a slide guard?

Slide guards are temporary roof structures that stop tools and workers from sliding off low-slope roofs. Made from 2×6 or 2×8 lumber, they attach to rafters with brackets for stability. To be effective, nails or screws must be anchored to solid materials like rafters, not shingles or sheathing. These should be used as additional protection and should never be used in place of a safety harness. 

5. Meeting safety regulations

As a business owner, you have both a moral and legal obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of your workers, particularly during risky activities like working at heights. Legally, you are required to comply with local safety regulations, which typically include providing appropriate safety equipment, such as Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS), and ensuring they are correctly installed and used.

It is also your responsibility to educate your employees on safety protocols, conduct regular training, and maintain all equipment to prevent avoidable accidents. Failure to meet these obligations can result in severe consequences, including fines, legal liability, and, most critically, endangering the lives of your employees.

🇺🇸 United States & Canada

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. requires PFAS use for any potential falls over 4 feet in general industry and 6 feet for construction work. Canada’s federal regulations require similar measures for working at heights over 3 meters.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers must ensure workers are protected from falls when working at any height where there’s a risk of injury. PFAS' are a common legal requirement.

🇦🇺 Australia & 🇳🇿 New Zealand

According to the standards AS/NZS 1891, roofers must use PFAS when working at heights over 2 meters (AUS) or 3 meters (NZ). Travel restraints may only be acceptable if the worker cannot physically reach a fall hazard.

6. Make a fall rescue plan

Should the worst happen, make sure everyone on site is aware of how to respond to a fall.

Immediate response

• Stop all work in the area and alert the designated rescue team.
• Ensure the area around the fallen worker is secure to prevent additional injuries.

Assess the worker

• Quickly assess the condition of the fallen worker. Communicate with them (if possible) to gauge consciousness and injuries.

Rescue 

• Use suspension trauma relief straps or a pulley system to safely lower the worker to the ground.
• If the worker is still suspended, ensure the harness allows for blood flow until rescue is complete.
• Avoid relying on emergency services as the sole rescue method, as delays may lead to suspension trauma.

Post-rescue care

• Administer first aid and assess for any injuries.
• Call emergency medical services for further evaluation if necessary.