Although widely used in Europe, green roof systems are relatively new to the U.S. As a result, U.S. roofing contractors just now are becoming more familiar with green roof system design, installation and maintenance. They are realizing technical issues such as waterproofing, insulation, root barriers and drainage must be evaluated along with suitability of soils and plantings comprising a green roof system. Roofing contractors also need to pay special attention to fall-protection issues related to green roof systems that may not arise during conventional roof system installations or maintenance.
A special consideration
Green roof system installation requires a broader analysis of fall protection—a larger variety of workers may need to perform tasks on the completed green roof system than would be needed on a conventional roof system.
Although roofing workers are subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction standards and associated fall-protection systems found in 29 CFR 1926.500-3, landscaping workers, who may be subcontracted by roofing contractors to install green roof system plantings, might be subject to OSHA general industry standards for fall protection. The deciding factor is whether the work landscaping workers are performing would be considered construction, alteration or repair according to the construction standards.
A related issue involves building maintenance workers or landscaping workers who perform maintenance on a green roof system's landscape components. These workers likely would need to follow general industry fall-protection requirements, which include fall protection at heights of 4 feet or greater. Fall-protection options for low-slope roofing, such as a warning line and safety-monitoring system, do not apply to them.
NRCA recommends the following attend a pre-job meeting: the owner, architect/engineer or designer, general contractor, site contractor, green roof system contractor, consultant, inspector or quality-assurance supervisor, electrical contractor, deck contractor, landscaping contractor, mechanical contractor and any others who may interface with or affect the project. During this meeting, worker safety regulations and requirements should be established and other aspects of the job can be discussed.
Planning and installation phases should include fall-protection measures, such as guardrails, safety nets, a warning line and safety-monitoring system, scaffolding or personal fall-arrest systems under the construction industry standards. Fall protection for green roof system maintenance may require different fall-protection systems under OSHA general industry standards than those typically employed during roof system installation or repair.
Insurance points
Contractors installing green roof systems also should be aware of insurance issues related to such installations.
Chicago-based CNA cites insurance points to consider when performing green roofing work. If you are involved with a green roof system and hire landscaping contractors, consider the following:
New challenges
Because green roof systems are relatively new to the U.S., they present new fall-protection challenges, and safety training should be included in all aspects of green roof system installation and maintenance. Teamwork and coordination of trades will help keep green roof systems safe.
Leslie Kazmierowski, CPCU, is NRCA's insurance programs manager.
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