Two-story house, roof is 8:12 and the eave is about 22 feet up.

OSHA 1926.501(b)(1) requires fall protection at 6 feet. At 22 feet, you are mandated to use conventional fall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems). A "monitor" or warning line alone is not permitted on this roof.

Because the pitch is 8:12 (> 4:12), 1926.501(b)(11) applies:

1. Steep Roof Requirement: Each employee must be protected by a guardrail system with toeboards, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system (PFAS).
2. PFAS Specifics (1926.502(d)): Anchor must support 5,000 lbs per employee (or 2x max arrest force under qualified person). Use a rope grab / rope adjuster on a vertical lifeline—not a fixed-length lanyard. You need to move up/down the slope. Calculate Total Fall Clearance: Free fall (max 6 ft) + Deceleration distance (3.5 ft) + Harness stretch (1 ft) + D-ring shift (1 ft) + Safety factor (3 ft) = ~14.5 ft minimum required below D-ring. At 22 ft eave height, you have clearance if anchored at ridge level. If anchored lower, you hit the ground. Swing Fall Hazard: Anchors must be positioned directly above the work area (or use opposing anchors) to prevent swinging into walls/ground.

Practical Setup:

• Ridge Anchors: Install manufactured ridge anchors (rated 5k lbs) along the peak before crew accesses roof.
• Vertical Lifelines: Run 5/8" synthetic rope from ridge anchors to ground. One line per worker.
• Rope Grabs: Provide automatic, locking rope grabs (ANSI Z359.15).
• Harnesses: Full-body, dorsal D-ring attachment only.
• Slide Guards/Toeboards: Required on eaves/rake edges per 1926.501(b)(11) & (b)(10) to prevent material slides.

Written Plan: 1926.502(k) requires a site-specific Fall Protection Plan if conventional methods are "infeasible" (rare for 8:12). Document your anchor locations, rescue plan, and inspection logs.

Bottom line: No body belts. No "tying off to the chimney." Ridge anchors + vertical lifelines + rope grabs + harnesses. Inspect daily.

OSHA requires fall protection for work on roofs with a slope greater than 4:12 (18.4°) when working within 6 feet of the edge — and your 8:12 roof (≈33.7°) definitely qualifies.

For your crew working on an 8:12 roof with eaves 22 feet above ground:

OSHA Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(10) – Roofing Work):

• Fall protection is required when working on roofs with a slope > 4:12 and within 6 feet of the edge.
• Acceptable systems include:
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) — harness, lanyard, anchor point rated for 5,000 lbs per worker.
• Guardrail systems — top rail 42" ±3", mid-rail, toe board if tools/materials are present.
• Safety net systems — installed per 1926.502(c), max fall distance 30', extends 8' beyond work area.
• Warning line system + safety monitor — only allowed on low-slope roofs (<4:12). NOT permitted on your 8:12 roof.

Key Points for Your 22' High, 8:12 Roof:

• Anchors must be secure — use engineered roof anchors (not just nailed to sheathing) or tie off to structural members (trusses/rafters) capable of 5,000 lb load.
• Lanyard length must limit free fall to ≤6 feet (use shock-absorbing lanyards or self-retracting lifelines).
• Training required — workers must be trained in fall hazard recognition and proper use of PFAS (1926.503).
• Rescue plan — OSHA requires a prompt rescue procedure for suspended workers (1926.502(d)(20)).

What You CANNOT Do:

• Rely solely on a safety monitor or warning line — these are prohibited on steep roofs (>4:12).
• Assume “I’ve done it this way for years” is compliant — OSHA doesn’t grandfather in unsafe practices.

Practical Tip:

Use temporary roof anchors (like those from DBI Sala or Protecta) screwed into rafters, or use a mobile fall arrest cart if working along the ridge. Always inspect gear before use.

Bottom line: PFAS or guardrails are mandatory. No exceptions. If you’re unsure about anchor strength or setup, consult a competent person or licensed fall protection specialist — lives depend on it. (OSHA 1926 Subpart M)