Occupational Health and Safety Procedure for Roof Work Hazards and Risk Identification and Control

Most accidents from roofs could have been prevented by the identification of hazards and by the provision and proper use of readily available equipment. As a high risk activity, it is important that all roof work is pre planned.

Falls and falls of materials are the major cause of injury; therefore a safe system of working should be established and based on the risk assessment.

Major Risks in Roof Work

Falling from the roof edge.

Fragile roofs causing damage or fall.

Falling from curved roofs of irregular shape.

During access or egress fall of personnel.

Material falling during lifting operations.

Material falling from storage areas.

Handling materials likely to be affected by high winds.

Fire or burns from bitumen boilers.

Unsafe storage and misuse of gas cylinders.

Exposure to asbestos fiber contained in asbestos cement roofing materials.

Control Measures for Safe Work on Roof

Always preplan the roof work.

Prepare a method statement or job safety and environmental analysis JSEA.

Protect open edges with guardrails and toe boards.

Flat roofs (i.e. less than 10˚ pitch) if above 2m provide guardrails to a height of between 910mm and 1.15m and toe boards to a minimum of 150mm. The gap between the top of the toe board and the guardrail should not exceed 765mm.

Sloping roofs (i.e. more than 10˚ pitch) if above 2m should be guarded in a similar manner as above, and in addition have provided intermediate guardrails not less than 455mm and nor more than 605mm above working platform or gutter base.

Arrange and provide an external scaffold or separate working platform and suitable access to the roof area.

Provide crawling ladders if the roof is likely to become slippery, but in all cases if the pitch exceeds 30˚. These should be securely fitted to prevent slipping.

Prevent persons walking on purlins, sheeting, bolts etc.

Identify parts covered by fragile material and protect or restrict access.

When working on fragile roofing materials, at least two crawling boards should be used, one to support the workman whilst the other is moved to a new position.

Ensure that all roof lights and openings are covered by a substantial cover, which should be fastened to prevent displacement, and marked “HOLE BELOW”.

Provide safety harnesses belts and nets where other protection is not possible.

Display warning notices so that only authorized persons are to be allowed on the roof.

Position lifting appliances so as to avoid danger to operators and other persons.

Protect site users or members of the public against falling materials by providing brick guards, fans or similar precautions.

Anticipate the effect of adverse weather conditions i.e. rain, ice, snow, wind etc.

Ensure persons involved in the roof work are suitably trained.

Provide necessary firefighting equipment.

Position bitumen boilers safely.

Ensure that gas cylinders are at least 3m from the boiler.

Store gas cylinders in safe place safely.

Analyze roofing materials, which may have to be disturbed, to check for asbestos.

Provide suitable personal protective equipment.

Roof Work Safety Checklist

Has a method statement or JSEA been prepared and used?

Are all edges 2m or above high protected to prevent falls?

Is safe access and egress provided and secured?

Are suitable and sufficient crawling ladders provided?

Are fragile roof openings/lights covered or guarded?

Is protection provided and used when working on or adjacent to fragile roofs?

If provided, are harnesses and lanyards etc. inspected regularly?

Are fragile roofs suitably marked?

Are lifting operations being carried out safely?

Has protection been provided to protect against falling objects?

Have all roofers been suitably trained?

Is suitable and sufficient fire fighting equipment available?

Are bitumen boilers and gas cylinders being used / stored safely?

Has existing roof material been analyzed?

Has sufficient and suitable Personal Protective Equipment been provided and used?

Has all risks and hazards pertaining to the activity been discussed to the workers involved?