Working on roofs poses many risks, but fragile roofing materials are a hidden danger that causes around 22% of all fall from height injuries in the construction industry. They also account for on average 7 fatalities each year.
If you’re involved in construction or maintenance work at height or are responsible for people working on your roof, you must understand the risks and implement proper safeguards.
What makes a roof fragile?
To put it simply, a fragile roof cannot hold a person’s weight. Many common roofing materials are considered fragile, including:
- Old rooflights and skylights
- Non-reinforced fibre cement roofs
- Corroded metal sheets
- Wired glass
- Slates and tiles in poor condition
Often, the fragility of these surfaces is not visible. Paint, debris, moss and other coverings can obscure weaknesses from plain view. If you’re going on a roof, particularly on an older or industrial building, always assume that the roof is fragile unless confirmed otherwise.
Your responsibilities as an employer
Construction companies (including those doing maintenance work) and building owners/managers have a legal duty to protect anyone working at height. When it comes to fragile roofs, you need to take a responsible and systematic approach to ensure people are safe on fragile roofs or around fragile materials. For example:
- Conduct thorough assessments: Before work begins, have a qualified professional assess the roof and task to identify fragile areas and necessary precautions.
- Involve worker expertise in planning: Plan the work using the information gained from the assessment. If you are contracting a company to carry out the work, make sure they are competent to work at height and understand fragile material. Their knowledge can be instrumental in avoiding potential hazards when planning the work.
- Allow adequate project timelines: Allocate a realistic amount of time so that the work can be carried out safely and methodically. Accidents are more likely to occur when people feel under pressure or rushed. Rushed jobs can also compromise standards.
- Create detailed, safe methods of work: Implement a safe method of work that includes the finding of the risk assessment and the preventative measures identified to minimise the chances of an accident.
- Appropriate equipment: Ensure you have the appropriate equipment for working at heights, and follow a safe system specifically designed for fragile roofs.
The hidden dangers of rooflights
Rooflights provide valuable natural light into a building but can pose significant dangers if not identified in your risk assessments and protected appropriately. There are rooflights on the market that are safe to walk on, but you should never assume that the rooflight or skylight is sturdy enough to withstand impact. Over time, UV and weather damage can cause the structure to lose its fragility protection. A rooflight or skylight that appears tough can suddenly collapse underfoot.
The best way to ensure people are safe around rooflights and skylights is to prevent them from stepping on the glass in the first place, either by installing guardrails or protection designed specifically for rooflights and skylights.
Prioritising safety and preventing accidents on fragile roofs
Fragile roofs and materials can be a hidden hazard, capable of severe injuries or fatalities, if not handled cautiously. Common fragile materials include asbestos cement sheets, fragile rooflights and even poorly maintained roofs that have weakened over time. Workers walking or standing on these surfaces may unknowingly step on weak points, leading to accidents and falls.
Whether you’re a building owner, occupier or in charge of the roof, ensuring the safety of workers on your premises is paramount.
How can Height of Safety help you?
If you are concerned that your roof or the roof you’re working on isn’t safe, you should stop work immediately and seek professional advice. At Height of Safety, we offer tailored solutions to address the unique challenges associated with fragile roofs and materials. Our experienced team can carry out an initial risk assessment of the roof and help you plan work safely through the installation of the most appropriate fall protection system for your specific requirements.
