Faddis and Faddis

Skylight Falls

Although they are highly desirable in both residential and commercial construction, skylights are incredibly dangerous for anyone on a roof in their vicinity.  Improperly safeguarded or unmarked skylights pose a significant risk to workers as well as home and business owners who are exposed to them. Traversing the roof of a building is inherently dangerous enough without the added hazard of a hidden or unprotected skylight. According to the most recent report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80 workers were injured in falls through skylights in 1999 and an additional 100 were injured in falls through existing roof openings. In 2001, 34 workers lost their lives due to falls through skylights and roof openings. What is most alarming about these statistics is that there are simple measures employers and property owners can take to better protect their staff and visitors and lower the risk of a potentially deadly fall. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends the following precautionary steps be taken:

• NIOSH urges that all employers and workers strictly adhere to the applicable OSHA regulations.
  
  

  --Railings or screens guarding all skylights and other openings in roofs must be installed before roofing work begins and must remain in place until construction is completed, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.23 and 1926.500.
  
  --As required by current OSHA standards [29 CFR 1926.28(a)] and consistent with accepted safe work practices, employers must provide protection against falls before workers begin any operations that include the potential for serious falls.
  
  --Where conventional protective devices such as guardrails or safety belts/harnesses with lanyards may not be practical, employers must provide alternative forms of protection against falls such as fixed covers, catch platforms, or safety nets as described in 29 CFR 1926.105.Nets are especially useful because they provide passive protection for workers--that is, the protection does not depend on workers to recognize the hazard and take appropriate protective action. In construction operations, netting can be installed when the roof openings are made and left in place until all construction activities are complete or until more permanent guards are installed.

• Employers should assure that all workers required to work near roof openings or skylights are adequately trained to recognize the serious hazard of falls (even from relatively low heights) through roof openings, and the danger of sitting or stepping on skylights.
  
  
• Manufacturers or purchasers of skylights should affix conspicuous decals to each skylight, warning individuals against sitting or stepping on these units.
  
  
• Manufacturers should modify the design of skylights to strengthen them sufficiently to support the weight of a worker who steps, sits, or falls on one. If such changes would adversely affect the smoke-venting capacity of the skylight, a dome-shaped protective grillwork over the skylight should be considered.

The implementation of these few simple guidelines can be the difference between a safe or deadly work environment.  Unfortunately, many property owners and employers do not implement appropriate skylight protection measures.  Consequently, many people fall through unguarded and camouflaged skylights resulting in serious injuries and deaths.  Faddis & Faddis has represented numerous clients who have fallen through inadequately protected skylights and sought to hold both property owners and contractors liable for their failures to make the properties safe for people on the roof in the vicinity of skylights.