With falls from height still being the leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities in the UK, anyone accessing a roof for routine roof maintenance, servicing plant equipment or inspecting solar panels must be protected from the risk of falling. The safest and best way to do this is with a rooftop guardrail system.
But installing a barrier isn’t enough. To comply with UK regulations, guardrails must conform to specific height and design requirements.
What is the minimum height for a roof guardrail?
Permanent edge protection guardrails should have a minimum height of 1100mm. This is measured vertically from the walking surface to the top rail.
This is set out in BS EN ISO 14122-3 Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Stairways, ladder or stepladder and guard-rails, which is widely used as the standard for fixed roof guardrail systems.
A compliant roof guardrail should also include:
- A top rail at a minimum height of 1100mm
- A mid-rail positioned to prevent someone passing beneath the top rail
- A toe board where there is a risk of tools or materials falling from the roof
These elements work together to provide effective collective protection for anyone accessing the roof.
Guardrails and handrails are not the same
A common misconception is that handrails and guardrails are the same.
This isn’t true.
Handrails provide support on stairs, ramps and walkways and should be between 900mm and 1000mm high.
A guardrail, on the other hand, is designed specifically to prevent falls from height. It acts as a barrier that protects people from falling. If the guardrail is too low, it won’t be able to protect someone who loses their balance and falls against it, especially if they’re carrying equipment or working in poor weather.
Work at Height Regulations 2005 require temporary guardrails on construction sites to be at least 950mm.
For permanent edge protection on rooftops, balconies and public areas, Part K of the Building Regulations requires a taller minimum height of 1100mm with at least two horizontal rails to prevent a person slipping or falling through the guardrail.
Regulations you need to understand and follow
If you’re responsible for a building, you have a legal duty to protect people and ensure they can work at height safely.
Key legislation you need to follow includes:
- Work at Height Regulations 2005, which require risks to be assessed and suitable measures put in place to prevent falls.
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which places a duty on employers to protect employees and others who may be affected by their work.
- BS EN ISO 14122-3, which specifies the design requirements for permanent guardrail systems.
- BS EN 13374, which applies to temporary edge protection systems used during construction.
Why are guardrails the preferred solution?
The Work at Height Regulations require duty holders to follow the hierarchy of control when selecting fall protection.
This means asking yourself:
- Can the work at height be avoided?
- Can collective protection be provided?
- If work can’t be avoided or collective protection can’t be provided, can personal fall protection be used safely?
Collective protection such as guardrails is the preferred solution, as it protects people without them having to do anything or receive specialist training. Because user participation isn’t required, guardrails are the ideal solution for buildings where frequent roof access is required. These can include offices, schools, hospitals, warehouses and commercial properties.
Types of rooftop guardrail systems
There are several options when it comes to specifying a guardrail; the most appropriate system depends on the building and how the roof is used. For example:
Fixed guardrails: These guardrails are mechanically fixed to the roof structure to provide permanent protection for regular access.
Freestanding guardrails: As the name suggests, these guardrails are not fixed to the roof. The system uses weights to counterbalance, which overcomes the need to fix through the roof. If aesthetics is a concern, freestanding options also include a collapsible system that can be raised when people are working on the roof and folded down when not needed.
Parapet extensions: If the parapet wall is below the required height of 1100mm to provide edge protection, you can fix a guardrail to the parapet to increase the height.
A combined approach to roof safety
Although guardrails are often the preferred option, every roof has its own set of hazards.
Plant equipment, solar PV installations, fragile rooflights, and varying roof layouts will need additional safety measures such as walkways, step-over platforms, fixed ladders, or lifeline systems.
A roof safety survey will help identify all the hazards on your roof and recommend the appropriate combination of solutions to ensure safe access and to comply with current legislation.
Need advice on rooftop guardrails?
If you’re responsible for the safety of people accessing your roof, choosing the right guardrail system is essential.
At Height of Safety, we provide independent roof safety surveys, guardrail design and installation, and the testing and recertification of fall protection systems across the UK.
If you need edge protection for a new building or want to improve the safety of an existing roof, our experienced team can recommend the most suitable solution for your property and guarantee it complies with current UK standards.
