How to Properly Use a Roof Safety Harness

Working at heights is dangerous, whether you’re on the job or in your own home or yard. As an electrical apprentice, I worked for a year on a new football stadium. Most of the time, I was about 300 feet above the field. That’s not only dangerous, it’s downright scary, especially when I had to work above or outside the protective railing. (I had to do that a lot — yikes!)

Luckily, my work was diligent about personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), aka safety harnesses. You should be, too, especially if you’re working on your roof. Falls from roofs affect thousands of home DIYers every year, leading to injury, hospitalization and even death. To get up to speed on properly using a PFAS, we talked to Mike Larsen, owner of Larsen Roofing in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

“You should always use some kind of PFAS if you’re working from any elevated space,” Larsen says. “Whether you’re working on a roof or trimming trees, there is always a risk of falling.” Below, Larsen explains what PFAS are and how to use them safely.

What Is a Roof Safety Harness?

“It is a way to prevent you from falling from a roof when you’re making repairs or installing a new roof,” Larsen says. “We typically call it a PFAS, and there are 3 major pieces or components.” All are critical to the PFAS working as intended.

• Anchor point: The anchor catches you if you fall. It must be attached to a structural member of your roof, not the shingles or sheathing.
• Harness: This is what you wear on your body. It’s made from nylon, polyester or even Kevlar, like a bullet-proof vest. “If you’ve ever seen Mission: Impossible, it looks like the suit Tom Cruise is wearing when he’s suspended above the security floor,” Larsen says. Straps go around your shoulders, chest and between your legs. It’s very important to get the right size and wear it snugly so your weight is supported and you can’t slip out.
• Connector: This is the locking snap hook and lanyard that connects the D-ring on the harness to the anchor point. “The connector usually has a shock absorber and a decelerator, which helps to minimize the force if someone were to fall,” Larsen says.

What Is a Slide Guard?

“A slide guard is a temporary structure you secure to a roof to stop tools — and potentially, workers — from sliding off a low-slope roof,” Larsen says. “You can attach them to the edge of the roof and also at different places along the slope, so as you work up, you don’t have materials sliding all the way to the edge.”

Slide guards are typically 2×6 or 2×8 dimensional lumber, attached to your home’s rafters with brackets. Larsen says it’s important to use the right fasteners and make sure you’re hitting a rafter or truss: “The nails or screws need to be secured to something more solid than just the shingles or sheathing.”

Slide guards are not a replacement for PFAS. “I never use the slide guards alone because accidents can happen,” Larsen says. “One mistake I have seen happen is forgetting to secure the wood to the brackets. This actually caused a guy to slide right through it, and luckily, he wasn’t hurt because another worker was able to grab his arm.”

When Is a Safety Harness Required?

Larsen says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires PFAS for falls over four feet. Of course, you’re at home, not at work, but it’s still important to use fall protection anytime you’re climbing on your roof. If you want to invest in PFAS for roof or tree work at home, Larsen says to look for one certified by OSHA or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and inspect the equipment regularly.

“One other thing to do is know your work environment,” Larsen says. “If you’re working on a roof with a steep pitch or abnormal elevation, you may need a different PFAS than if you’re working on a flat roof on a strip mall or a standard residential roof.”

Setting up a Roof PFAS System

Before getting started, Larsen recommends you “make sure you have everything you’re going to need to attach your anchor, so you don’t have to keep climbing up and down.” That includes the anchor, lanyard, fasteners, a ladder with a ladder stabilizer, a pry bar and other hand tools, as well as sturdy, non-slip shoes. If you’re putting in a slide guard, do that first from your ladder. Wear a tool belt, or use a bucket and rope system, so you’re not carrying tools and materials up the ladder with your hands.

Anchors can be purchased at home improvement stores or online. Make sure they’re certified and from a reputable company. “You need to figure out the proper place to anchor the PFAS first,” Larsen says. This will typically be on the roof’s ridge line, and you will likely need to loosen and remove some ridge shingles. Read the instructions carefully before beginning so you know what to expect.

Secure the ladder and climb up. Since you’re not secured by the PFAS yet, this is dicey work, so be very aware of your hands, feet, tools and surroundings. “Don’t move too suddenly once you’re up on the roof, and then attach the anchor securely,” Larsen says. Attach the lanyard to the anchor. Carefully climb down and get yourself situated in the harness. Alternatively, put the harness on before you attach the anchor.

Verify that all connections are secure, and that you’ve followed all safety instructions with your PFAS. This is your life and health at stake, so check every component and connection point. “Always check it before you start your roofing work,” Larsen says.

FAQ

Should DIYers attempt work that requires a safety harness?

It depends. “Any slope over a 4:12 is too steep for non-professionals to work on,” says Larsen. Even a 4:12 can be dangerous, Larsen says, and notes that the “vast majority of folks don’t have the proper safety equipment to manage a roofing job.” He recommends calling a pro for all roofing work, but especially for steep slopes.

About the Expert

Mike Larsen is the owner of Larsen Roofing, which has been serving Genesee and Lapeer Counties in Michigan for over 20 years. Larsen got his start in roofing as a laborer, roofing homes on Chicago’s south side, and his roofing expertise is routinely featured in national publications.