Ensure high level of safety
May 1st 2009

Falls from height remain the largest cause of workplace fatalities and one of the main causes of injury. Safetyworks & Solutions outlines some the systems that can be used to ensure the safety of those who must have access to the roof

There are various reasons why roof access is needed: to maintenance, equipment inspection, changing HVAC filters, and so on. Less frequently, work may require employees or contractors to be on the roof for extended periods, such as when constructing new buildings, reroofing or installing ventilation systems.

Walkways It may be necessary on certain roofs (including fragile roofs) to provide a level non-slip surface and, coupled with the increasing requirement for extended longevity of roofing materials, this has led to an increased need for the use of walkways.

To meet this demand, different types of roof walkways are available and can be installed in conjunction with handrail, fallguard or a demarcation system.When installed with handrails, roof walkways serve to provide a collective approach to safe roof access. They provide safe access across roofs, and can be used on many different roof types including: Standing Seam; membrane (Protan, Bitumen, Trocal); metal profiles; and traditional (slate, tile, copper, lead, cement).

By creating a designated walkway across the roof, maintenance costs are lessened as the amount of foot traffic is minimised, which in turn helps to extend the lifespan of the roof. It also allows for roof maintenance works to be completed more easily and no additional user training is needed.Walkways are particularly suitable for installation on standing seam aluminium roofs where regular access is required. A walkway system allows easy, safe access for maintenance personnel and avoids the need to use the seam as a step. The load is spread on large regular bearers, reducing the risk of damage to aluminium roof trays and cement roofs, and preventing personnel from falling through brittle cement/asbestos roofs.

A peripheral fall protection system, such as Safetyworks & Solutions Fallguard System can be used with its Flexideck Walkway System. This will ensure that if a user falls sideways, they will not pass through a brittle roof sheet. It is essential that the installed walkways and fall protection systems are lightweight in design, easily cleaned and rotfree.

As they are non-penetrative, the roof's integrity will not be compromised.Where the environment is a particularly hazardous, bright colours such as yellows and reds can be specified or used as edgings.

Roof gantries Where it is necessary to access high-level plant and equipment a raised steel gantry system may be used. The gantry can be supported by steelwork installed at ground level, or suspended from existing structures.

Maintenance operatives will then be able to achieve safe access onto roofs, voids and roof plant, and across obstructions.

Roof lights Roof lights are a major hazard and personnel accessing the roof must be aware of the drops around the outer edges. Covers or guardrail systems may protect roof lights, or alternatively, employees working around roof lights may be protected with personal fall arrest systems.When employees are exposed because of the work that they are performing on the roof, then a guardrail system or cover would be most suited. If the work involved removal, replacement or reglazing to the roof light itself then a personal fall arrest system may be more appropriate.

Access ladders Access ladders offer a secure access route onto, and across the roof and, in the event of a fire within the building, could be one form of escape route. Steel ladders can be supplied with safety cage or vertical fall arrest systems for permanent access, and can include landing platforms. They can take the form of vertical ladders to access areas at height, up and over ladders to access plant etc, and Cat ladders. Ladders should ideally not exceed 6m, and vertical fall arrest systems should never be used in conjunction with cages.

Modem access ladders can be suitable for a variety of locations and can be fixed to wood, brick and metal structures. They fold out to become a ladder and, as they can only be released from above, are vandal and tamper resistant. Access steps, safety harnesses and rescue chairs can also be used with access ladders for disabled persons.

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