5. DEMOLITION METHODS
Prior to commencing roof demolition or dismantling, you should consider: •fall hazards •structural stability
• condition and strength of the roofing material and the identification of fragile roofing
• identification of fragile panels or skylights in solid roofs
•crane access
• safe worker access and egress
• fall protection requirements including issues such as perimeter protection, the availability and strength of anchor points for static lines, inertia reels and lanyards and the suitability of roof structure for the use of safety nets
• means of rescuing persons from safety nets or safety harnesses
• the condition of any roof mesh or safety mesh
• methods of raising and lowering equipment and materials
• assessment of manual handling problems
• electrical safety including the location of nearby power lines
• worker competency and training needs.
Fragile roofs Before working on the roof, the roof should be inspected to identify that it is structurally adequate to work on and whether there is any brittle material or if the roof has a fragile aspect to it( for example, a skylight or worn section).
Brittle or fragile roofing material can include roofing made of asbestos cement, cellulose cement, glass panels, fibreglass, acrylic or other similar synthetic moulded or fabricated material used to sheath a roof or contained in a roof.
If asbestos cement roofing is involved, the work must be undertaken in accordance with the asbestos related requirements of the WHS Regulations. Further information can be found in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.
Where it is necessary for work to be carried out or adjacent to any part of a fragile roof, you should:
• inspect the underside of the roof to determine the extent of the fragile roof material, the existence of any safety mesh and its fixings, and the structural soundness of the roof material
• complete the work from a temporary work platform
• provide temporary walkways as a means of access to and egress from any work area on the roof where permanent walkways are not provided
• secure and fix cleats to walkways on high pitch roofs( for example, where the slope of the roof exceeds 1:6)
• provide temporary roof ladders for steep roofs( for example, in excess of 35 degrees)
• provide other fall protection as necessary( for example, work positioning or fall arrest system).
26 CODE OF PRACTICE | DEMOLITION WORK