The US-American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
has released a new Prevention through Design paper on Preventing Falls through
the Design of Roof Parapets. Workers are exposed to risks from falls during
construction, operation, maintenance, and demolition of buildings. Parapets are
the parts of the wall assembly that extend above the roof and can prevent falls from low-sloped or flat roofs.

Other design features that can prevent falls include using guardrail systems
and permanent anchor points for use with personal fall arrest systems and
lifelines.

The paper details the fall hazards to workers during the design stages of
building construction. NIOSH recommends that parapets, or wall extensions,
which act as barriers at a roof's edge, be used to reduce the risk of falls
during the preliminary stages of construction work. The institute also
recommends that parapets meet the OSHA height requirements for guardrails and
reminds employers to consider the cost-savings advantage of constructing
parapets for the design phase.

NIOSH's Prevention through Design initiative promotes the concept of "designing
out" or addressing and minimizing occupational hazards and risks early in the
design process. An increasing number of businesses recognize the importance of
adopting PtD as a cost-effective means to enhance the safety and health of
their employees.

More information

AplusA-online.de - Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)