For an employee , or those working under someone else ’ s control , the law says they must :
COMMON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
Roof work is particularly high risk , and falls from roofs - through fragile roofs and fragile roof lights - are one of the most common causes of workplace fatality and serious injury . As well as in construction , which according to the latest statistics , is the sector with the highest number of fatalities ( 30 in 2016 / 17 ), these accidents can also occur on roofs of factories , warehouses and farm buildings ; when roof repair work or cleaning is being carried out , for example . The following are likely to be fragile :
• roof lights
• liner panels on built-up sheeted roofs
• non-reinforced fibre cement sheets
• corroded metal sheets
• glass ( including wired glass )
• rotted chipboard
• slates and tiles
It ’ s important to remember that fragile roof incidents are not inevitable . They can be prevented by careful planning , using trained and experienced workers with suitable equipment , and employing a high level of supervision . Further information can be found in the free Health & Safety Executive information sheet ‘ Fragile roofs : Safe working practices ’. ( www . hse . gov . uk / pubns / geis5 . pdf )
REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE & RESPONSIBILITY
The purpose of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 is to prevent death and injury caused by a fall from height . If you are an employer or you control work at height ( e . g . facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height ), the Regulations apply to you .
Employers and those in control of any work at height activity must make sure work is properly planned , supervised and carried out by competent people with the skills , knowledge and experience to do the job . This includes using the right type of equipment for working at height .
You must consult your employees ( either directly or via safety representatives ), in good time , on health and safety matters . Issues you must consult employees on include :
• report any safety hazard they identify to their employer ;
• use the equipment and safety devices supplied or given to them properly , in accordance with any training and instructions ( unless they think that would be unsafe , in which case they should seek further instructions before continuing ).
Low-risk , relatively straightforward tasks will require less effort when it comes to planning . Take a sensible , pragmatic approach when considering precautions for work at height . Factors to weigh up include : the height of the task ; the duration and frequency ; and the condition of the surface being worked on . There will also be certain low-risk situations where common sense tells you no particular precautions are necessary .
CONTROL MEASURES
First , assess the risks . Factors to weigh up include the height of the task , the duration and frequency , and the condition of the surface being worked on . Before working at height , work through these simple steps :
• Avoid work at height where it ' s reasonably practicable to do so .
• Where work at height cannot be easily avoided , prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment .
• Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated .
For each step , always consider measures that protect everyone at risk ( collective protection ) before measures that only protect the individual ( personal protection ).
Collective protection is equipment that does not require the person working at height to act for it to be effective . Examples are permanent or temporary guardrails , scissor lifts and tower scaffolds .
Personal protection is equipment that requires the individual to act for it to be effective . An example is putting on a safety harness correctly and connecting it , with an energyabsorbing lanyard , to a suitable anchor point .
• risks arising from their work ;
• proposals to manage and / or control these risks ;
• the best ways of providing information and training .
Employers can ask employees and their representatives what they think the hazards are , as they may notice things that are not obvious and may have some good , practical ideas on how to control the risks . More information on consulting employees is available at www . hse . gov . uk / involvement
SELECTING THE CORRECT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT When selecting equipment for work at height , employers must provide the most suitable equipment appropriate for the work , and take account of factors such as :
• the working conditions ( e . g . weather );
• the nature , frequency and duration of the work ;
• and the risks to the safety of everyone where the work equipment will be used .
Employees have general legal duties to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions , and to co-operate with their employer to enable their health and safety duties and requirements to be complied with .
If you are unsure which type of equipment to use once the risks have been considered , the Work at height Access equipment Information Toolkit ( or WAIT ) is a free online resource that offers possible solutions . It provides details of common types of equipment used for work at height and can be viewed at www . hse . gov . uk / work-at-height / wait / index . htm�P40
HSE INTERNATIONAL 37