Designated Area – (General Industry): a distinct portion of a roof where work rules and warning lines are used to protect workers and conventional fall protection methods are not required.  IMPORTANT NOTE: Designated Areas are Only permitted for work on low slope roofs (4:12 or less) in general industry applications (not permitted for construction work).

    • A Designated area may only be used under the following conditions:
      • Situation 1- work area is further than 15 ft from a fall hazard:
        • For tasks that are both infrequent and temporary, the competent person must establish and employees shall comply with a work rule to stay at least 15 feet from the fall hazard. No warning line is required.
        • For tasks that are not infrequent or temporary, a warning line must be placed between the work area and the fall hazard, not closer than 15 feet to the fall hazard.
      • Situation 2 – work area is further than 6 ft from a fall hazard, but less than 15 ft:
        • Work must be both infrequent and temporary; if not both, a designated area can not be used; and
        • A warning line must be placed between the work area and the fall hazard, not closer than 6 feet to the fall hazard. See the warning line specifications and requirements, below.

A designated area can not be used when the work area is closer than 6 feet to the fall hazard. Conventional methods such as guardrail, travel restraint, or personal fall arrest must be used.

    • Authorized employees shall be trained on the proper setup and use of a designated area. Training shall include work rules prohibiting movement closer to a fall hazard than the perimeter of the designated area.

Designated Area Warning Line Requirements.

    • The perimeter of the designated area is delineated with a warning line consisting of a rope, wire, tape, or chain that meets the  following requirements: 
      • Has a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds (0.89 kN);
      • Is installed so its lowest point, including sag, is not less than 34 inches (86 cm) and not more than 39 inches (99 cm) above the walking-working surface;
      • Is supported in such a manner that pulling on one section of the line will not result in slack being taken up in adjacent sections causing the line to fall below 34 inches (86 cm);
      • Is clearly visible from a distance of 25 feet (7.6 m) away, and anywhere within the designated area;
      • Is erected as close to the work area as the task permits; and,
      • Is erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the roof edge for work that is both temporary and infrequent, or not less than 15 feet (4.6 m) for other work.

    • When mobile mechanical equipment is used to perform work that is both temporary and infrequent in a designated area, the warning line must be erected not less than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the unprotected side or edge that is parallel to the direction in which the mechanical equipment is operated, and not less than 10 feet (3 m) from the unprotected side or edge that is perpendicular to the direction in which the mechanical equipment is operated. Mechanical equipment means all motor or human propelled wheeled equipment used for roofing work, except wheelbarrows and mopcarts.