Roofing

Working at Height
We Need to Talk About Fragile Roof Access
A staggering number of falls from height continue to be linked with fragile roofs. Employers
risk substantial fines and court appearances due to unsafe working conditions and not
following the correct procedures for employees to remain safe.
Soni Sheimer, General Manager at Easi-Dec,
takes a look at the range of options and solutions
that are available when working at height.
Selecting the right equipment is key to
reducing the risk of accidents and falls from
height. It needs to be secure, easy to
access and meet required regulations.
From the contractor’s point of view, it’s
also helpful if the system selected is easy
to install, available at short notice and
offers good value for money.
Access to industrial rooftops requires
solutions that are designed to overcome the
challenges of working on fragile roofs and
provide the user with a safe working
position for skin maintenance, inspection,
cleaning and re-sealing work. A range of
products are available to provide safety
systems that are suitable for all
requirements and simplify short duration
roof work.
There are three main types of access
systems that can be considered for
accessing industrial roof tops – mesh
walkways, rolling platforms and mobile
walking frames.
Mesh walkways are a great option when
access is needed to run from the eaves to
ridge. It provides the benefit of spreading the weight across the support
battens, allowing workers to confidently move along the full length of
the system. Opting for a solution that is made from high grade
aluminium ensures the structure is robust, lightweight, and easily
transportable.
A fully guarded rolling platform, which is mounted on twin racks, allows
workers to move up and down the roof on a secure and level surface.
Requiring no penetration, the structure is easy to assemble and take
down, and is possible to transport quickly to other parts of the roof. The
platform moves along a linking track which is fitted with safety mesh
and battens to provide further support.
Lightweight mobile walking frames are designed to provide safe access
for one or two people when working along valley gutters. The outriggers
are filled with safety mesh and cushioned for comfort. This system can
also be used to transport light payloads. Suitable for typical symmetrical
valleys, the system could also be fully adjustable to suit uneven designs.
Specifying these types of systems presents contractors with a quicker,
more cost-effective and more practical approach to rooftop access, and
will ensure that they and their employers comply fully with the
requirements of the Work at Height Regulations. It’s a win-win for both
parties.
For full details on Easi-Dec’s industrial roof access solutions, visit
www.easi-dec.co.uk . Full technical support and advice is available direct
from the company Tel: 01767 691812.
Industrial roofing is prone to being fragile, with various weak spots and uneven surfaces often making it
an unsafe environment for workers undertaking rooftop tasks. According to the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatality and major injury in
the UK. The 2015/2016 national figures report that there were 37 fatalities as a result of falls from height,
while on average 7 people are killed each year after falling through a fragile roof or roof light.
The key piece of legislation is the Work at Height Regulations 2005, as amended by the Work at Height
(Amendment) Regulations 2007, which places a legal requirement for anyone who contracts others to
access and maintain rooftop equipment on public buildings and housing developments to ensure proper
safety precautions are in place. Breaching these regulations can result in a legal prosecution and both
substantial fines or possible imprisonment.
The recent case of an engineering construction company fined £267,000 with costs, after a worker suffered
severe injuries from falling through a fibreboard barn roof, is a timely example. The HSE’s investigation
found that there were insufficient platforms or coverings for the roof to protect workers from falling
through the roof and that the risk assessment and method statement which should have told the workers
how to carry out the work safely was left in the office. The company pleaded guilty to a breaching
Sections 4 and 9 of the Working at Height Regulations.
The case highlighted that it is essential that all work at height is properly planned and carried out by
competent members of staff to ensure that minimal accidents occur. It is also the contractor’s own
responsibility to train to safely work at height, ensuring that they understand and work within the
regulations.
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Page 26 Roofing Today
Roofing Today Page 27