Roofing product storage guidance with struck fall-protection passage

May 2, 2002

Mr. Robert Garrett

President

Roof Mates, Inc.

[Recipient address omitted]

Re: ~~STD 3-0.1A,~~ Subpart M, 1926.250, 1926.500

Dear Mr. Garrett:

We are in receipt of your letter, dated November 30, 2001, in which you ask us to review several Roof Mates roofing products and give you any feedback that we may have about your products. As a result of government mail delivery delays due to the anthrax decontamination process, we did not receive your letter until January 17, 2002. We apologize for the long delay in responding.

OSHA is generally precluded from approving or endorsing products. Also, the variable working conditions at job sites and possible alterations or misapplication of an otherwise safe product could create a hazardous condition beyond the control of the manufacturer. However, where appropriate, we try to give some guidance to help employers assess whether products are appropriate to use in light of OSHA requirements.

Products like your Roofer's Rack, Tool Box, Bracket, and Stocker would appear to help construction employers comply with several of the requirements in §1926.250, Material Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal. For instance, paragraph (a), General, of this section requires that all materials stored in tiers shall be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding falling, or collapse. Likewise, paragraph (c), Housekeeping, requires that storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire, explosion, or pest harborage. ~~These products also appear to help comply with section D of our directive for Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction, [STD 03-00-001 (formerly STD 3-0.1A)], which requires that supplies and materials shall not be stored within 6 feet of the rake edge, or 3 feet where tile and roof systems are being installed.~~

[This document was edited on 12/5/12 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy]

Thank you for submitting information to us about your products; such information helps us stay current with respect to the range of safety products available on the market, especially in the commercial and residential homebuilding industry.

If you need additional information, please contact us by fax at: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Directorate of Construction, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance, fax # 202-693-1689. You can also contact us by mail at the above office, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail.

Sincerely,

Russell B. Swanson, Director

Directorate of Construction

[Corrected 6/2/2005]