Fragile Roof Hazards

Safework sa issued a safety alert at this time to businesses and workers about managing the risk of fall from a fragile roof.

Fragile roof hazards.

The preferred method of controlling height hazards while removing roofing material may be to use elevating work platforms or other temporary work platforms to gain access from below the roof. Safety mesh secured under fragile roofing or skylights a safety harness and fall arrest equipment such as static lines running lines or inertia reels along with appropriate training and supervision suitable footwear that controls the risk of slipping and other site hazards. There are liner panels on built up sheeted roofs. Health and safety executive 1 of 5 pages introduction this leaflet is aimed at building owners and occupiers construction businesses and workers in short anyone working on fragile roofs or having work done.

Falls through fragile roofs and fragile roof lights cause death and serious injury. Accidents can be avoided as long as suitable equipment is used and those carrying out the work are provided with adequate information training and supervision. It s made of fibre cement sheets. Unprotected edges fragile surfaces skylights holes or vents weather conditions such as wind and rain for example being blown over the edge or slipping on a wet roof surface trip hazards for example roof components and protrusions and overbalancing or losing grip on steep.

Effective precautions must be taken for all work on or near fragile surfaces no matter how short the duration. All roofs should be considered fragile until they ve been deemed non fragile by a competent person. Falls through fragile roof surfaces are one of biggest causes of serious injuries. Falls through fragile roofs and rooflights account for some 22 per cent of falls from height in the construction industry or seven deaths and around 300 major injuries a year.

Hazards to consider in managing fall risks include. Falls through fragile surfaces particularly fibre cement roofs and rooflights account for 22 of all fall from height fatal injuries in the construction industry. What you need to know. Safety alert for working on fragile roofs.

Beware of old or hidden rooflights. Workers undertaking roof work and building maintenance can die or be permanently disabled when they fall through fragile surfaces. The company left an inexperienced worker alone to work on the roof without suitable safety measures in place having told him to walk on the purlins which is extremely dangerous. How to detect fragile roofs.

A significant rise in the number of fatalities involving working on roofs particularly involving fragile roof materials has prompted the health and safety authority to issue this safety alert to highlight the need for stringent health and safety procedures when carrying out this type of work. According to hse a roof is or is likely to be fragile if.