Work On Roofs

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SAFETY TALK 

WORK ON ROOFS

Fall from Height during Maintenance and Troubleshooting Work within a Space-Roof-Truss

Every year workers  fell to his death from a height above the ground, while working on an access catwalk situated above some ceiling panels, when he fell over the guardrails of the catwalk and through the ceiling panels.

Working on roofs gives rise to a substantial number of fatal and serious accidents every year STICK TO THE RULES

1. Only properly trained operatives will be used for roofing works
2. A safe method of working must be agreed before work starts. Know your method statement.
3. Safety nets are the preferred option for prevention of falls from roofs. The use of any other form of protection must be agreed with authorities.
4. Suitable crawling boards or roof ladders must be used on fragile materials or sloping roofs (other than suitably battened roofs). Safety notices must be in position indicating the presence of fragile roofs.
5. Where crawling boards are used for access over fragile material or near roof edges guardrails are required. Safety notices must be in position indicating the presence of fragile roofs.
6. Roof edge protection, i.e. handrails, toe boards, brick guards etc. as assessed must be erected to prevent men and materials falling. This will form part of your method statement.
7. Openings in the roof must be securely covered or guarded. Record of Weekly Inspection of Temporary Covers will be completed for all covers. If you require the covers to be removed, make sure you get permission from authorities and an agreed method of work is in place.
8. Covering or guarding may be removed to allow the passage of men or material BUT must be replaced immediately after that operation and only with permission from authorities, and an agreed method of work is in place.
9. Access ladders must rise at least 1050mm above the stepping off point and must be secured.
10. Where the access ladders raise above 9 meters an intermediate platform with guardrails and toe-boards must be provided.
11. Wet, windy, or icy weather can seriously affect your safety during roofing works, ask if in doubt.
12. Refer to  organization Safety Instruction to  Work at Height 1.8 meter or above for further detail on refer organizational safe procedure  for working on roofs.

Recommendations :

Industry stakeholders undertaking similar work activities are advised to consider the following:

• Conduct a thorough Risk Assessment (RA) specific to the tasks to be carried out. The hazards identified should accurately reflect the actual working conditions onsite. Examples of safety and health hazards that are to be assessed include: falling through ceiling panels, inadequate lighting, access via catwalk, ergonomics hazards etc.
• Identify foreseeable workplace hazards and ensure effective control measures are put in place which will include development of safe work procedures, using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for fall protection, providing adequate lighting as well as ensuring adequate anchorage for safety harness etc.
• The residual risks from the control measures must be further assessed on-site by operational personnel and teams prior to the commencement of work. This is because the surrounding environment might change and having a strong situational awareness would help to minimize body injuries or death.
• To eliminate risks at source, control panels and equipment installation (e.g. utility switches, installations and WiFi units) which may require regular or ad-hoc checks, should be positioned where there are minimal risks of falling. Where it is necessary for such installations to be accessed at heights, safe access (including proper work platforms with guardrails) should be provided.
• Supervise all work activities to ensure onsite adherence to safe work practices.

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