Roofers face more fall hazards per job than any other trade on a commercial project. OSHA cites roofing contractors for fall protection violations more than any other specialty — and GC safety coordinators know it.
That's why GCs require a detailed, site-specific Fall Protection Plan from every roofing sub before granting site access. A generic template won't pass review — your plan needs to address the specific hazards present on your project: leading edges, steep slopes, skylights, roof openings, and ladder access points.
Unprotected roof perimeters during installation, tear-off, or repair. The #1 cause of fatal falls in roofing.
Low-slope and steep-slope roofing each require different protection systems. Slopes greater than 4:12 require additional controls.
Skylights must be guarded or covered with material capable of supporting twice the weight of workers and equipment.
Transition from ladder to roof edge creates a high-risk fall zone. Workers are most vulnerable during access and egress.
Deteriorated decking, corrugated panels, and aged membrane can fail under worker weight without warning.
OSHA's Fatal Four data shows that falls account for the majority of roofing fatalities. GC safety coordinators will specifically verify that your plan addresses leading edge protection, steep-slope procedures, and skylight guarding. A plan that only mentions guardrails and harnesses — without addressing roof-specific scenarios — gets kicked back immediately.
In addition to the 10 standard sections of every SafeDocs Fall Protection Plan, your plan will address these trade-specific elements:
Leading edge protection procedures for each roof section
Steep-slope vs. low-slope protection system selection
Skylight and roof opening cover specifications
Roof access and egress procedures (ladder protocol)
Weather-related work suspension criteria
Material staging and load path fall zones
Yes — each plan must be site-specific. Your GC will verify that the plan references the actual project address, building dimensions, and hazards present on that job. SafeDocs lets you prepare a new plan for each project in minutes.
Low-slope roofing still requires fall protection at leading edges and around openings. Your plan should specify whether you're using warning lines, guardrails, or PFAS for low-slope work. SafeDocs includes the correct protection methods based on your selections.
Yes. SafeDocs covers the hazards you identify — whether it's new decking installation, tear-off, or overlay. The plan addresses whatever scope you're performing on that project.