module 3 content

Objectives:

  • Roofs
  • Deterioration of materials
  • Unprotected edges
  • Access equipment
  • Weather
  • Falling materials
  • Hazard protection

Roof

Roof work consists of the construction and maintenance of roofs such as replacing roof tiles, repairing chimneys and clearing out gutters.

There are two main types of roof that pose the most risk:

  • Sloping (Pitched) roofs
  • Fragile roofs

A sloping (pitched) roof is any roof that has a pitch of more than 10 degrees.

Falls from sloping roofs can often cause significant injury as acceleration can build up as someone falls from the roof, increasing the force with which they land.

A fragile roof is any roof that is not specifically designed to carry loads and only has sufficient strength to withstand the force of the weather.

Roofing materials such as asbestos cement, glass and reinforced plastics are all considered fragile and are liable to collapse under the wight of a worker, skylights also present a risk.

Employers should avoid the need to work on or near fragile roofs.

If this is not possible, the risk should be removed or reduced by using equipment to prevent falls, or limit the consequence of them.

Deteriorations of materials

The structure on which people are working at height should be in a good condition. However, materials will deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to the weather and other environmental conditions.

Materials that are of bad condition represent a hazard in two ways:

  • The material may break when a person put their weight on it, resulting in a fall from height.
  • The material may break off and fall which may hit people below.

It may not always be obvious that deterioration has occurred until it is too late, so care must be taken to ensure that materials are sound and secure.

Unprotected edges

Unprotected edges are the edges of surfaces that are open and therefore the risk of falls or falling objects is greatly increased.

They can be found on roofs, elevated walkways, scaffolding, access platforms, construction sites and etc.

Access Equipment

Examples of access equipment include:

  • Ladder
  • Step ladders
  • Trestles
  • Tied scaffolds
  • Mobile tower scaffolds
  • Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPS)

Any access equipment that is sited incorrectly, poorly built or poorly secured will be inherently unstable.

Conditions such as overloading of the equipment, high winds or overreaching can then cause a collapse or topple.

We will go into more details on the safe working practices for access equipment later on in the course.

Weather

The weather can increase the risks associated with working at height. For example:

  • Rain or Freezing conditions could increase the risk of slipping
  • High winds could decrease the stability of access equipment, blow loose materials off or in very high winds, even workers.
  • Cold conditions could create numbness and the reduced ability to move.

Falling materials

This can be a massive health and safety hazard and needs attention and care. Items that fall from height can cause considerable harm to people, or damage to property.

Objects may include:

Equipment or tools

Loose materials

Waste materials

Materials may fall in the following circumstances:

  • The deterioration of structures
  • Incorrect storage of materials
  • Poor housekeeping which can lead to an accumulation of waste
  • Gaps in platform surfaces or between access platforms and walls
  • Unprotected edges
  • Incorrect methods of getting materials from ground level to the working area
  • Incorrect methods of getting materials down to ground level

Hazard spotting

Can you identify the hazard?

The bricks have been stored on the scaffolding where they are liable to fall if they become dislodged, or if the scaffold gives way under their weight. The risk is further increased due to the fact that there is an unprotected edge.

Can you identify the hazard?

The skylights are fragile and pose a risk of breaking if someone places their weight on one which could lead to a fall from height.

Can you identify the hazard?

The ladder has been sited on unstable ground and therefore is unstable itself and is very likely to topple over.