Posted By CFT Kitty I'm not HSE, but there will always be a hierarchical procedure to compare to, and one would always say that if working at height can't be eliminated in such a situation that you describe, a barriered system (subject to planning consents and design limitations) should be the first consideration (to eliminate completely the likelihood of a fall) followed by fall restraint, then fall arrest systems; I would always favour fall restraint as you can dictate that a fixed lanyard is worn as opposed to a shock absorbing line with slide chuck , so if restraint system is fixed at say 2.5 metres from the edge a one metre lanyard would prevent a fall; should you require closer working to the edge this can be achieved by safer external means. Others will no doubt have their own preferred method & thoughts. All the best CFT

Posted By ddraigice Fall arrest systems are excluded from CDM - but do come under WAH regs. However, I can see where you are coming from with the CDM issue of maintenance - but as suggested above, the hierarchy should be followed. Where it is rp to put edge protection then it should be. man safe system should only be used where maintenance activities are few and far between and not, for example, on a roof where there is routine access for plant etc. However, every roof is different so there can be no hard and fast rules from HSE.