If you are responsible for worker safety whilst working at height at your building, or at construction sites due to your work in the construction industry, then you’ll know that sometimes working on fragile roofs is unavoidable. The very nature of fragile surfaces means workers are at an increased risk of serious injuries or death resulting from a fall from height. In fact, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that almost 20% of all fatal injuries whilst working at height is caused by a fragile roof. So what can you do to protect your workers?

As height safety experts with well over three decades of combined experience, we know how to make your workers safe. We can help implement the proper training and install suitable equipment to ensure a fragile roof doesn’t compromise worker safety - this is in addition to the personal protective equipment you'll likely already provide your workers.

Read on to find out more about the risks your workers face whilst carrying out work on a roof that’s fragile (or has fragile roof lights present), how to mitigate those risks, and the support we can offer at Altus Safety to protect workers and ensure they can work safely on fragile roofs.

What Are Some Examples Of Fragile Surfaces On Roofs?

In order to spot the danger, you must first know some key roof materials that are considered fragile surfaces:

wired glass
old roof lights
corroded metal sheets
non reinforced fibre cement roofs
asbestos cement sheets
tiles and slates which are in disrepair

These are all common materials found when falls through fragile surfaces requires an investigation.

Who Is Most At Risk Of A Fall Through A Fragile Roof?

Anybody working at height is at risk of falls, but those who work on fragile roof surfaces or near a fragile roof light are even more so. A worker who is involved in building maintenance or construction is at an even greater risk as they’re more likely to be carrying out work on these fragile materials, so if your business is involved in either industry, or you’re a building owner with roof maintenance work due, then this post is for you.

Falls from height through a fragile roof can lead to serious, life-changing injuries and even deaths. On average 7 people a year die after falling through a fragile roof or roof light in the UK.

At Altus Safety, we know these deaths are largely preventable with the right training and fall protection systems in place. It’s our mission to help bring that number to 0, to protect workers. They may be at an increased risk of falls, but we offer innovative height safety solutions to ensure maximum protection.

When Is It Safe To Cross A Fragile Roof?

Never - in the first instance. The Work at Height regulations that our entire industry is bound by makes it very clear that avoidance should always be the first step to consider in order to be as safe as possible.

If work needs to be carried out on a fragile roof to make it safe, then the HSE recommends using a work platform from beneath to carry out essential repair and maintenance work to make the roof good again.

However, this isn’t always possible. Sometimes the only way to fix a fragile roof is to get on the roof itself. Work at Height regulations recognise this, but insist that certain precautions and safety procedures be followed in order to carry out this risky work in the safest way.

How To Work At Height Safely On A Fragile Roof

In order to work safely on a fragile roof you have to consider two key elements:

Prevention
Mitigation

Prevention techniques should always be your next port of call if avoidance is unavoidable. Here, you’ll need to think about innovative ways to work on the roof from above without actually getting on the roof.

If that can’t be done, then mitigation is your next option. This involves workers being on the roof to complete the maintenance and repair work, so you’ll need to mitigate the risks they face to provide maximum protection from falling from height.

Prevention - Elevated Work Platforms

If avoiding the roof altogether and carrying out work from below isn’t an option, then the next best thing according to work at height guidance is to work from a height without ever having to step foot on the fragile roof.

This can be achieved using a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). These systems allow workers to carry out their tasks from a mobile basket at roof level, without having to actually be on the roof.

Whilst this is a great option for certain maintenance and repair tasks, it isn’t always an option for more involved tasks that require a worker to get closer to carry out their work, meaning roof access is required to carry out essential roof repairs. That's where our expert team can help.

Mitigation - Fall Protection/Arrest Systems

Fall protection systems are designed to stop a fall from happening whilst working at height. Fall arrest systems are designed to slow a fall. Both are examples of vital solutions that must be implemented if a worker has to carry out work on a fragile roof. Any work of this nature must be carried out following a thorough risk assessment and must only be carried out by a competent person with suitable training.

A brief overview of the different system solutions can be found below:

Fall Protection Systems

Edge protection - this involves using systems like guard rails and handrails to provide workers with a secure point of contact whilst moving around the roof
Rooflight fall protection - these are handy systems which can be placed, like a cage, over a fragile roof light to prevent any worker from accidentally stepping on it
Anti-slip roof walkways - can be used to distribute load on a fragile roof, although the system will need to be expertly designed by a capable individual to prevent too much load being placed on any one area of the roof

Fall Arrest Systems

Mobile man anchors - a system used to ensure a worker is constantly attached to a secure point so that if a section of roof were to fall, they would be caught, reducing risk of injury
Anchor points - secure anchor points and eyebolts must be placed strategically around the roof to ensure maximum protection for workers
Netting - it’s obviously a last resort, but sometimes safety nets slung beneath a fragile roof can provide additional protection for workers - if roof walkways are used, then this can be placed strategically where workers will be for more targeted protection

How Can Altus Safety Protect Workers On A Fragile Roof

As a team of height safety professionals with an experienced and knowledgeable installation team, we can provide you with a range of fall arrest and fall protection systems to ensure workers on your fragile roof are as safe as they can be.

If you’re unsure which height safe system you require, contact our friendly customer service team who will gladly explore the different options with you and explain which system is best for your circumstances to keep you compliant with work at height regulations.

How To Protect Workers On Fragile Roofs - Summary

With the right preparation, workers can be safe on fragile roofs if they absolutely cannot avoid being on the roof in the first place. Where necessary, however, you can protect workers effectively using a combination of fall protection and fall arrest systems to prevent falls from happening in the first instance, and protect workers in the event of a fall if something goes wrong.

Altus Safety is a leading name in the UK for height safe installations, inspection and maintenance. We also offer an incredible training package which we can provide businesses with workers who frequently work at height to ensure their protection. A height safe system is only as good as the person using it, so knowledge is key for workers so they know how to use the system effectively for maximum safety.

Contact our team today if you require any of our safety system installations, compliance testing and inspection services, or training programs.