GUIDE FOR SAFE AND RISK FREE ROOF-WORK AT WORKPLACE

How ensure safe and risk free roof work?

   Roof work is a high-risk activity because of involves working at height. Sometimes with fragile materials such as roof lights and asbestos cement roofing sheets etc. The good working plan can reduce the risk of any kind of hazardous work.

   Full edge protection at eaves level will normally be required for work on sloping roofs. The edge protection needs to be strong enough to withstand a person falling against it. 

The longer the slope and the steeper the pitch, the stronger the edge protection needs to be. A properly designed and installed independent scaffold platform at eaves level will usually be enough. 

    Less substantial scaffolding barriers (rather than platforms) may not be strong enough for work on larger or steeper roofs, especially slopes in excess of 30°.

    Fragile Roof Surfaces:

 

 Wherever possible make sure that all fragile materials 2m or closer to the people at risk are securely covered and a warning notice displayed. Alternatively, provide continuous physical barriers with warning notices around or along the fragile material to prevent access to it.

   Check details with engineers familiar with relevant building plans related to the roof construction (more applicable for new construction projects); 

   Check with clients or occupiers of existing buildings for skylight features on roof, presence of asbestos containing roofing materials;

   Conduct a visual check without stepping on the roof where possible. If access onto roof is inevitable, provisions for fall protection measures including safety harness with adequate anchorage along route of access should be provided;

  Provide warning signage or clear demarcation around the identified fragile roof surfaces;

   Warning signs are displayed at access points to any work area where fragile material is present and are fixed securely in a position where they will be clearly visible to persons accessing the working area; and

    Implement a buddy system– if a person is required to work on or from a roof that is fragile and can break easily, it is important to ensure that there is another person present at all times when work is being performed on a brittle roof in case of an emergency.

When working on ROOFS, check:

Is there edge protection to stop people or materials from 
falling?

Where nets are being used have they been slung safely?

Have you identified fragile materials such as cement sheets 
and roof lights?

Are there barriers to prevent people falling through holes?

Are people kept away from the area below the roof work?

Are you wearing the correct personal protective 

equipment, eg. Slings, harness, boots etc?

There is no concentration of materials storage on the roof structure.

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