Safe Design Suggestions for Vegetated Roofs
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138, Issue 8
Abstract
Rooftop vegetation is becoming increasingly popular because of its environmental benefits and its ability to earn green-building certification credits. With the exception of one international guideline, there is little mention of worker safety and health in vegetated-roof codes and literature. Observations and field investigations of 19 vegetated roofs in the United States revealed unsafe access for workers and equipment, a lack of fall-protection measures, and other site-specific hazards. Design for safety strategies and the integration of life-cycle safety thinking with green-building credits systems are the preferred methods to reduce risk to workers on vegetated roofs. Design suggestions have been developed to add to the body of knowledge. The findings complement several National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) construction and prevention through design (PtD) goals and are congruent with NIOSH’s Safe Green Jobs initiative. Organizations that install and maintain vegetated roofs can utilize the findings to understand hazards, take precautions, and incorporate safety into their bids.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Virginia Tech Occupational Safety and Health Research Center through the Kevin P. Granata Pilot Program funded by the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences. The author appreciates the support of the Center and the partners who provided access to vegetated roofs.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138 • Issue 8 • August 2012
Pages: 999 - 1003
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 1, 2011
Accepted: Oct 14, 2011
Published online: Oct 18, 2011
Published in print: Aug 1, 2012
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