While simply climbing onto a roof may seem like a quick and easy way to do a minor repair job or clean a roof light it s fraught with danger particularly on a fragile roof and should be avoided at all costs.
How to work on a fragile roof.
Working on fragile roofs.
In may 2013 a roofing company was fined for exposing workers to serious risk of injury at a site in north wales.
The principles of working on fragile surfaces are exactly the same as any other form of work at height so if you apply the hierarchy of control you should be able to ensure that the work can be carried out safely.
The ohs duties of employers to prevent workers from being injured.
If access onto the fragile roof cannot be avoided mitigate fall distance and consequences.
Roof risks roof related accidents can happen anywhere.
Use a mobile elevating work platform mewp that allows people to work from within the basket without standing on the roof itself.
Work on or near fragile surfaces requires a combination of stagings guard rails fall restraint fall arrest and safety nets slung beneath and close to the roof.
How to tread carefully on fragile surfaces.
Non reinforced fibre cement sheets.
Roof slates and tiles glass such as wired glass.
The principles of working on fragile surfaces are exactly the same as any other form of work at height you need to apply the hierarchy of control to ensure that the work can be.
Roof slates and tiles.
Falling from a roof is an occupational health and safety ohs risk for workers who remove fragile roofing.
How to develop safe systems of work.
The work involved replacing fragile asbestos cement roof sheets with metal roof cladding.
Glass such as wired glass.
This document advises employers of their duties to reduce these risks.
If the work cannot be done from underneath and workers need access to the topside of the roof.