Before rooftop camera or antenna work, guard skylights and plan fall protection under OSHA’s 6-foot and 4-foot rules

OSHA requires fall protection at 4 feet in general industry and 6 feet in construction, and its roofing guide says covers over skylights and roof openings must hold at least twice the expected load, be secured against displacement and be marked HOLE or COVER. Personal fall arrest systems must keep any free fall to 6 feet or less.

Source facts

OSHA’s fall protection page says falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths, and that OSHA requires fall protection at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces and six feet in the construction industry, and when working over dangerous equipment and machinery regardless of the fall distance. It says employers must provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers and train workers about job hazards in a language they can understand.

OSHA’s Protecting Roofing Workers guide (2015) says employers can use covers to protect workers from falling through skylights and other roof openings, and that covers must support at least twice the weight of the employees, equipment and materials that may be on them, be secured against displacement by wind, equipment or employees, and be color coded or marked HOLE or COVER.

The guide says a personal fall arrest system consists of an anchor, a harness and a lifeline or lanyard, must be set up so a worker cannot free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level, and needs an anchorage capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per worker, and that body belts are not acceptable.

Applicability

Use this for rooftop and other elevated work by employees. Whether a job falls under construction or general industry rules depends on the work, and Michigan employers follow MIOSHA; check the applicable standard and the building owner’s roof access rules.

DSE recommendation

DSE recommends a written fall protection plan for every rooftop job that identifies roof edges, skylights and openings and the guardrail, cover or fall arrest system protecting each one. Place equipment away from roof edges and skylights during design where possible, confirm anchorage ratings before relying on a fall arrest system, and have technicians inspect harnesses and lanyards before each use.

Verification

Review the fall protection plan at the pre-job briefing, photograph covers and guardrails in place, and audit harness inspection records and training dates for each technician.

Official references

OSHA — Fall Protection. OSHA — Protecting Roofing Workers (OSHA 3755, 2015). Reviewed October 19, 2026.