As a facility manager, your responsibilities go far beyond keeping facilities running efficiently, you are also responsible for ensuring that anyone working at height does so safely. From routine HVAC servicing to rooftop inspections, every elevated task presents potential fall hazards. This guide outlines how to identify those hazards, select OSHA-compliant fall protection systems, and implement Kee Safety solutions designed to help keep your team safe and your facility compliant.
Falls remain one of the most common causes of workplace injuries and fatalities. By integrating fall protection into your facility planning, you reduce liability, minimize downtime, and maintain compliance with OSHA regulations. Hidden hazards such as skylights, roof hatches, and uneven walking surfaces can be just as dangerous as unprotected edges, making proactive planning essential to keeping your team safe.
Key reasons to prioritize fall protection:
Regulatory Compliance
OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to maintain workplaces free of recognized hazards.
Financial Impact
Fall-related incidents can result in downtime, lawsuits, increased insurance costs, and reputational harm.
Increased Rooftop Traffic
Rooftops today are crowded with HVAC units, antennas, and solar panels, increasing the need for safe access.
Hidden Dangers
Skylights and roof openings can pose just as much risk as roof edges.
Your responsibility as a facility manager is to plan ahead by identifying risks, budgeting for solutions, and ensuring ongoing compliance.
1. Start with a Roof Safety Audit
A rooftop safety audit is the foundation of a strong fall protection program. Facility managers should document all potential hazards, including roof edges, skylights, ladder access points, and slippery surfaces, then prioritize corrective actions based on how often each area is accessed. This approach helps ensure that safety investments are targeted where they are needed most and that compliance documentation is in place before inspections occur.
2. Choose the Right Protection Systems
When selecting fall protection, collective systems should always be your first choice. Guardrails, barriers, and walkways provide constant, passive protection for everyone on the roof without relying on PPE or user training. Personal protection systems, such as lifelines and anchors, are best reserved for areas where permanent guardrails or access platforms cannot be installed. Choosing the right mix depends on your facility layout, access frequency, and maintenance needs but collective protection should remain the foundation of any rooftop safety plan.
3. Plan and Budget Proactively
Including fall protection in your capital budget during roof renovations or equipment upgrades saves time and cost later. Early planning allows systems to be seamlessly integrated into your design while maintaining roof warranties and minimizing disruption. Budgeting should also account for inspections, maintenance, and recertification to ensure long-term compliance and performance.
4. Implementation and Maintenance Best Practices
The best fall protection system is only effective when installed and maintained properly. Work with certified installers who understand OSHA requirements and manufacturer specifications. Train maintenance staff and contractors on safe access routes and usage procedures. Schedule annual inspections and additional checks after severe weather or roof work. Keeping detailed inspection and service records ensures compliance and provides documentation for safety audits or insurance reviews.
Kee Safety provides engineered, modular fall protection and safe access systems that meet OSHA standards while maintaining roof integrity. Each solution is designed for easy installation, long-term durability, and minimal maintenance.
A free-standing, counter-weighted guardrail that provides permanent, non-penetrating edge protection for flat and low-slope roofs. Kee Guard exceeds OSHA load requirements and can be installed without welding or roof membrane damage.
Kee Step crossover platforms allow maintenance personnel to safely navigate over piping, ducts, or level changes. The anti-slip surfaces and modular design protect both workers and roofing materials from wear or impact.
Skylights are one of the most overlooked hazards on commercial roofs. Kee Cover mesh panels and Kee Dome railing kits protect workers from falling through skylights while preserving natural light. Both systems are modular and can be installed without penetrating the roof.
Kee Klamp fittings form versatile, welded-free guardrails for interior platforms, walkways, and mezzanines. Their modular design allows easy adaptation for new layouts or maintenance zones, ensuring long-term flexibility and compliance.
Kee Hatch perimeter railings and self-closing safety gates protect workers during roof access and egress. These systems create safe, fully enclosed transitions from ladders and hatches to rooftop work zones, reducing one of the most common fall-risk areas.
OSHA requires employers to protect workers from falls when they are exposed to a drop of six feet or more. For flat or low-slope roofs, the most effective option is a permanent guardrail system such as Kee Guard, which provides collective, passive protection without the need for personal harnesses.
Collective protection such as guardrails, barriers, and walkways protects everyone who accesses the area without requiring special training or PPE. Personal protection like anchors and lifelines—protects individual workers and requires training and equipment. OSHA and ANSI both recommend using collective systems whenever possible.
Yes. Many Kee Safety solutions, including Kee Guard, Kee Dome, and Kee Step, use counter-weighted or non-penetrating bases that preserve the integrity of the roof membrane and maintain existing roof warranties.
A rooftop safety audit should be performed by a qualified safety professional or manufacturer representative who understands OSHA regulations and rooftop design. Kee Safety offers professional safety assessments to help facility managers identify hazards and design compliant solutions.
Yes. All Kee Safety systems are engineered and independently tested to meet or exceed OSHA and ANSI requirements for load capacity, stability, and material strength.
Contact Kee Safety to schedule a complimentary rooftop safety assessment or discuss customized solutions for your facility. Our experts can help you evaluate hazards, plan compliant systems, and build a safer working environment for everyone who accesses your roof.
The path to a safer workplace starts with awareness and assessment. Schedule a rooftop safety audit to identify unprotected edges, skylights, and access points, then prioritize collective protection systems such as Kee Guard guardrails, Kee Cover skylight screens, and Kee Step walkways. Establish a consistent inspection and training program to ensure continued compliance. By partnering with Kee Safety, facility managers can implement lasting, OSHA-compliant solutions that protect both people and property.
About the Author
Daniel Huntington is an experienced sales and technical product trainer with a demonstrated history of working in the Fall Protection Industry. As a Fall Protection Industry Expert, he is formally trained in OSHA fall protection standards and risk assessment. He is a respected compliance educator and trainer in rooftop safety, presenting at the 2019 ASSP Expo for the International Society of Fall Protection (ISFP) where he facilitated a course on improving safety for people working at height.
Website: https://www.keesafety.com/
Email: info@keesafety.com
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