construction accessories & regulations


Safety at height


John Boyle, director at Eurosafe Solutions, looks at what specifiers need to be aware of to minimise the risks and ensure the safety of workers on roofs and external façades.


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any specifiers are clearly focused on the two main principles relating to buildings; firstly, how can they be built safely, and


secondly, how can they be maintained safely. The Working at Height Regulations 2005 rein-


forced the importance of the correct fall protection systems being used on roofs. The Hierarchy of Risk Management is fundamental to this, which breaks it into three categories. Firstly, can the potential hazard be designed out of the building? Secondly, where it is not possible to remove the hazard completely, can it be made so that the worker is not exposed to the hazard, by protecting it? Thirdly, where access is required to all areas and there is exposure to a hazard, a fall restraint system should be considered. The loca- tion of the fall restraint system and the lanyard length should prevent the worker reaching the hazard and therefore being at risk of a fall. So in essence, the guidance states that the fall pro- tection system specified should be fit for purpose. When specifying fall protec-


protection to all workers on the roof ‘collectively’ without the need for extensive individual training. Other locations where fall protection is required


would include roof edges, where access may be required for gutter cleaning, leakage checks and access to the rest of the roof. Where roof access is via ladders and roof hatches, these areas may also need fall protection systems. Specifying the correct fall protection system is


‘The beauty of collective protection measures such as guard rail and demar- cation is that they provide protection to all workers on the roof ‘collectively’’


tion systems it is important to consider location of the area that requires fall protec- tion. In some cases the whole roof may require pro- tection and, as such, it may be necessary to protect the whole perimeter of the roof, which means a guard rail is often specified. Modern design innova- tion for guard rails means they are more aesthetically pleasing and often cannot be seen from ground level. Where access is not required, the adjacent fall hazard demarcation can be specified creating a collectively protected ‘safe zone’. The beauty of collective protection measures such as guard rails and demarcation is that they provide


very important. One of the main considerations is how many workers will be accessing the system. Specifiers also need to assess the level of experi- ence and skill of the workers, including how well trained they are. If this information is unknown, it is best to assume very little knowl- edge for the better protection of staff. Another factor to take into account is for what duration workers will be on the roof, and finally, how regularly will they be using the system. Any reputable fall protection company should be able to advise on the most appropriate system for a spe- cific building’s requirements. Another consideration and an


area where occasionally fault can occur is in ensuring the compatibility of fall protection with the roofing system in place. It is worth checking with the roof manufacturer which fall protection systems they rec- ommend are approved to work efficiently. Failure to do this could invalidate the warranty on the roof and put workers at risk. Testing and inspection of a fall protection system would ensure that it is the right fall protection in place. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 state that


any employee required to work at height must be suitably protected from any potential fall hazards.


Falls from height are still the biggest reportable


cause of fatalities in the workplace, as reported in RIDDOR (Report of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). Specifiers have an important role to play in helping


building owners to reduce the risks to workers. However, installing the correct fall protection equip- ment is only half the issue and it is the ongoing testing and inspection of these systems that ensures the long term safety of workers on roofs and façades.


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