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ROOFING


WORK SMART: STAY GROUNDED


The risks of working at height are all too clear in the roofing industry. BMJ learns about Keylite’s safety campaign and how merchants can get involved


T


he most recent report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows a total of 40 fatalities were attributed to falls in 2022/23. This is an increase


from 29 in the previous year, highlighting the critical need for enhanced safety measures when it comes to working at height. Rob Lee, Keylite roof windows sales director for Ireland and Northern Ireland, says: “In light of this shocking statistic, that there has been a 38% increase in fatal injuries to construction workers in the last year, Keylite’s new safety campaign for 2024 will bid to turn this around. “It aims to visit as many builders’ merchants across GB and Ireland as possible. To encourage merchants and their customers to get involved with our ‘Challenge yourself, not your safety’ virtual reality (VR) game.” Keylite’s VR game simulates working at height and tests, roofers, builders and installers to approach the task in the safest way possible. It encourages them to get involved and spark conversations. The campaign supports the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ (NFRC) mission to provide standards and guidance within the construction industry and ultimately do the best job possible to ensure on-site working conditions are safe.


Lee explains: “Training, risk assessments and method statements are often widely used in the construction industry to help manage work and communicate required safety aspects. HSE suggests trying to avoid working at height whenever possible, but for roofing jobs such as roof window installation, this may appear all but impossible.


“Although hazards when working from heights cannot always be predicted, it is crucial contractors’ familiarity and experience are assessed. This helps to ensure that workers are aware of potential risks and have the training to help them deal with any dangers.” In line with the NFRC’s aims, Keylite states that this is a crucial matter and that


all manufacturers should be doing more to educate and protect construction workers. Keylite’s collaboration with builders’ merchants to host ‘Work Smart, Stay Grounded’ demo days, ensures these safety messages reach not only installers, but also branch staff, enabling them to help educate their customers.


Roof work accounts for a quarter of all deaths in the construction industry due to its high-risk conditions. During the fitting of roof windows, the surrounding area can be considered a high hazard, with loose titles and fragility demanding careful planning and action.


The Work at Height Regulations 2005 suggests that employers and those in control of any work from height activity must make sure work is properly planned, supervised and carried out by those who are competent and fit to work.


It goes on to state that contractors have general legal duties to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions, and they must cooperate with their employer to enable their health and safety duties and requirements to be complied with. It is vital to consider safety measures that protect everyone at risk before measures that only protect the individual – whether it be clients who are inhabiting the house while


July 2024 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


work goes on, or colleagues who are working nearby.


Keylite believes that the ‘Work Smart, Stay Grounded’ campaign can positively impact the working practices of roofers, builders and installers. It is also a manufacturer that promotes safety via its product innovations that come as standard. All Keylite roof windows are designed so that they can be fitted from the inside of a building, with the glazed sash already in place – thanks to Keylite’s patented Flick-Fit brackets and sash hinge finger springs.


Keylite’s ‘Work Smart, Stay Grounded’ campaign went live in April 2024 with current demo days being held across the UK and Ireland. It follows the award-winning success of last year’s merchant demo day initiative, ‘Kick it with Keylite’. BMJ


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