Safe Design Suggestions for Vegetated Roofs

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Michael Behm (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Extracted text; 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 The published version of this article is available here: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000500

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Behm, M. (2012). "Safe Design Suggestions for Vegetated Roofs." J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000500, 999-1003.

Language: English

Date: 2012

Keywords

Vegetated roof, Vegetation, Design, Roofs, Safe design, Safety

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