October 2022

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Roof Windows A STEP UP IN SAFETY The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that between April 2021 and March <strong>2022</strong> the sector saw a total of 123 work-related deaths, 30 of which were caused by working at height. David Loughran, Technical Team Leader at Keylite Roof Windows, feels this is far too high and offers his advice on how to stay safe working at height... Despite a shocking 25% increase in the rate of fatal injuries to construction workers in 2021, the sector has begun to see a slow, long-term downward trend in fatalities thanks to a renewed way of thinking in more recent years. Training, risk assessments and method statements are widely used in the construction industry to help manage work and communicate required safety aspects. The HSE suggests trying to avoid working at height whenever possible, but for jobs such as roof window installation, this may appear all but impossible. Over 60% of deaths while working at height involve falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms and roof edges, or through fragile roofs and rooflights. But what may be surprising is that it’s actually the smaller projects that often lead to fatal and serious injuries. Roof work accounts for a quarter of all deaths in the construction industry due to its high-risk conditions. During the fitting of roof windows, the surrounding area can be considered high hazard, with loose tiles and fragile footing demanding careful planning and action. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 suggests that employers and those in control of any work at height activity (e.g. building owners, facilities managers, site managers) must make sure work is properly planned, supervised and carried out by those who are competent and fit to work. They go on to say that installers have general Left: David Loughran. Above: Keylite installation projects. legal duties to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions, and they must co-operate with their employer to enable their health and safety duties and requirements to be complied with. Assess the risks Installers should first assess the risks. Height, duration, frequency, and weather conditions all affect worker safety. Precautions should be in place to stop materials and objects from falling, or at the very least to stop anyone from being injured by using the likes of exclusion zones or mesh on scaffolding. When installing roof windows, each area where the installer will work at height needs to be checked before use, every time, and risk assessments should be carried out so that employees can plan for possible emergencies. It is vital to consider safety measures that protect everyone at risk before measures that only protect the individual – whether it be clients who are inhabiting the house while work goes on, or colleagues that are working nearby. Workers should ensure that they can get to and from a window installation with ease, while all equipment must be maintained and checked regularly to ensure they are suitable, stable, and strong enough for the job. This means taking care to not overload or overreach on ladders or platforms, and to never rest equipment on weak surfaces such as glazing. Seemingly low-risk, relatively straightforward tasks like installing roof windows will of course require less effort when it comes to planning; but employers and contractors alike should remain in control and always assess the risks. The government provides advice on how to do this at: www.hse.gov.uk/risk/riskassessment.htm. Keylite is a firm believer that manufacturers should be doing more to protect those on site. As suggested by HSE, Keylite wants to keep installers’ feet on the ground for as much time as possible. This is why all Keylite roof windows are designed so that they can be fitted from the inside of a building, with the glazed sash already in place – thanks to its patented Flick-Fit brackets and sash hinge finger springs. In fact, an expanding thermal collar and Flick-Fit brackets are integrated as standard on all Keylite roof windows, and lead to safer, faster and cheaper installation. Contact Keylite Roof Windows 01283 200158 www.keyliteroofwindows.com/installers/ @Keylite 28 TC OCTOBER <strong>2022</strong>
Fire protection below, life goes on above. AIM Raised Access Floor Barriers prevent the passage of fire and smoke as well as help reduce airborne sound transmission through underfloor cavities. Tested to BS EN 1366-4 and the principles of TR31, they can provide up to 120 minutes Integrity & Insulation, with solutions for power & communication cables passing under the barrier. Call us on 01293 582400 Download datasheet at www.aimlimited.co.uk/rafb Easy to install and available cut to size or in slabs suitable for cutting on site.
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October 2022

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