Roof Risk Assessment

[Tank]

Thank you very much Vera. It will be a real help to me in compiling mine.

[Barnet]

Hi all, when it comes to yearly checks of any form of barrier, how much would that tend to cost? Are there companies that members would recommend or use themselves?

Just wondering if it could be our local builder? Or a contractor that is already doing something else on site, like the gates.

[Simon]

I get asked to go on the single storey flat roof by my BM who is also our H&S manager to clear leaves etc. All I have is a set of ladders and no fall prevention. I've asked him if it's OK to do so and he says it is. We also have contractors who go on the roof to service AC units and do roof repairs who again just use ladders for access. I'm not convinced that in the event of a fall HSE would be happy with this arrangement. I don't even think a RA has been done for it.

[Vera]

I get asked to go on the single storey flat roof by my BM who is also our H&S manager to clear leaves etc. All I have is a set of ladders and no fall prevention. I've asked him if it's OK to do so and he says it is. We also have contractors who go on the roof to service AC units and do roof repairs who again just use ladders for access. I'm not convinced that in the event of a fall HSE would be happy with this arrangement. I don't even think a RA has been done for it.

You are correct HSE would not be happy.
I would suggest the next time the BM requests this you ask for a RA and the work order in writing and confirm back to them in writing that this is a risky action and it is unlikely that the HSE would approve. Save all the emails in a safe place off site.

Our main roof now has a fixed ladder and edge protection so I can access it when needed
There is an area of flat roof that I occasionally have to access to remove footballs bags leaves etc.

i AM NOT SUGGESTING TO DO THIS, I KNOW TECHNICALLY I SHOULD NOT DO THIS. I take responsibility for my actions.

I have been working with ladders most of my life and do not take any undue risks. There are things I consider and abide by to safeguard my activity.

1. Weather- I will not go onto rooves during anything else but dry calm weather.
2. I will leave the roof for a long time before accessing it I will not go up just because little johnny wants his ball back.
3. I have someone on the ground whilst I am up on the roof with a radio (I have one too).
4. I tell the office immediately before I access the roof and immediately I am off it (they also have a radio).
5. My ladders are checked before use and roped to hard points fixed into the wall so it cannot slip or move up, down, left or right.
6. when on the roof I stay 2 meters from the edge at all times, if I need to go to the edge of the roof I drop to hands and knees and spend the minimum amount of time there.
7. whilst there I will perform routine maintenance and checks (cleaning gulley's and leaves etc.)

Almost all the points above I also follow when accessing the main roof with the fixed ladder and edge protection.
You cannot be careful enough You only slip once..

[Reacher]

On a recent "Working at heights", Hertfordshire County Council training course we were advised to either get a contractor in to undertake a RA for the roof or many Schools are now purchasing a Drone and downloading the footage.

[Vera]

Hi all, when it comes to yearly checks of any form of barrier, how much would that tend to cost? Are there companies that members would recommend or use themselves?

Just wondering if it could be our local builder? Or a contractor that is already doing something else on site, like the gates.

I would recommend a contractor who specialises in fitting the barriers and fixed ladders for a yearly maintenance /service.
Google will bring up lots of companies in your area.

For frequency, I check all my ladders including the fixed one quarterly and record the results. because of this I intend to have the fixed ladder and edge protection serviced and checked every 2 Years or when any faults become apparent.

[MrMatt]

You are correct HSE would not be happy.
I would suggest the next time the BM requests this you ask for a RA and the work order in writing and confirm back to them in writing that this is a risky action and it is unlikely that the HSE would approve. Save all the emails in a safe place off site.

Our main roof now has a fixed ladder and edge protection so I can access it when needed
There is an area of flat roof that I occasionally have to access to remove footballs bags leaves etc.

i AM NOT SUGGESTING TO DO THIS, I KNOW TECHNICALLY I SHOULD NOT DO THIS. I take responsibility for my actions.

I have been working with ladders most of my life and do not take any undue risks. There are things I consider and abide by to safeguard my activity.

1. Weather- I will not go onto rooves during anything else but dry calm weather.
2. I will leave the roof for a long time before accessing it I will not go up just because little johnny wants his ball back.
3. I have someone on the ground whilst I am up on the roof with a radio (I have one too).
4. I tell the office immediately before I access the roof and immediately I am off it (they also have a radio).
5. My ladders are checked before use and roped to hard points fixed into the wall so it cannot slip or move up, down, left or right.
6. when on the roof I stay 2 meters from the edge at all times, if I need to go to the edge of the roof I drop to hands and knees and spend the minimum amount of time there.
7. whilst there I will perform routine maintenance and checks (cleaning gulley's and leaves etc.)

Almost all the points above I also follow when accessing the main roof with the fixed ladder and edge protection.
You cannot be careful enough You only slip once..

Same here, but we are lucky that there are two of the us sometimes on together, this is the only time we go on the roof, when we are both in together. Wouldn't go up alone.

[Vera]

On a recent "Working at heights", Hertfordshire County Council training course we were advised to either get a contractor in to undertake a RA for the roof or many Schools are now purchasing a Drone and downloading the footage.

A drone is great for surveying.
However, someone has to be licenced and take responsibility for flying the drone safely, and a drone cannot remove footballs, clean drains, clear gulley's or repair roofs.
It would be impossible to operate a drone over our school due to the proximity to a major airport.

[Vera]

Same here, but we are lucky that there are two of the us sometimes on together, this is the only time we go on the roof, when we are both in together. Wouldn't go up alone.

You mean two of you on the roof together or one up one down?

It goes hopefully without saying that anyone should never go on a roof whilst lone working.

[Dexter]

A drone is great for surveying.
However, someone has to be licenced and take responsibility for flying the drone safely, and a drone cannot remove footballs, clean drains, clear gulley's or repair roofs.
It would be impossible to operate a drone over our school due to the proximity to a major airport.

We are very close to the same major airport and the planes are very low as the come into land. It does freak out contractors (especially working at height). Sometimes you hear whooshing after the plane passes and sometimes the trees rustle on breezeless days. It's weird when you're on your own on a dark winter's night

PS Definitely no drones!