Posted By Ron Hunter
Answer to Q.1. Yes, it is perfectly feasible, it does happen, but perhaps not as often as it should. That said, the nature and duration of the work will in most instances determine what is 'reasonably practicable'.
Nets are more applicable to new build, e.g. erecting and cladding a steel frame, where the designer has allowed for securing of the netting. Alternatives include birdcage scaffold or inflatable bags across the floor area below, but this obviously impedes any other work at floor level!

Posted By Gary Briggs
Hi Brenda i am an health and safety advisor for an industrial roofing and cladding company and yes roof edge protection and safety nets do happen and work.

We have had 3 people fall into safety nets in three years if it did not happen then they would not have gone home that day.

Safety nets for all areas including house building is all about risk assessment, if a person can fall approximately 1500mm into a safety net then they require 3metres clearance below to avoid hitting any obstructions.

roof edge protection is governed by EN13374 temporary roof edge systems, so edge protection must be tested, suitable, robust and of sufficient strength for the purpose its being used for.

We believe that fall prevention is the best solution. If a fall is arrested then you have to consider rescue procedures and suspension trauma do you have a cherry picker that you can use for rescue, can the machine rescue a person from the highest point of a football stadium or large warehouse. It's no good calling the rescue services because they haven't a machine that can rescue from that height.

Other systems, working platforms, MEWPS and air bags.

always remember if you are preventing a fall then you are in full compliance

Posted By Darren E
Hi Brenda,

One of the issues that is often overlooked when carrying out roofwork or indeed any work at height is the securing of tools or materials whilst working. Fall protection is often in place for the worker but not the tools they are working with. Dropped objects are a major danger on any site and suitable steps should be taken to prevent such a thing happening. Have a look at www.gearkeeper.co.uk they provide a full range of practical, durable gear attachment systems that the user will be comfortable with.

Posted By Dave Merchant
If the work really is short-duration and low-risk (replacing one tile etc.) then it's perfectly acceptable to use portable ladders in the "old" way, i.e. extension ladders and roof ladders. The requirements for risk assessment and safe use remain, such as maintaining 3 points of contact when climbing, but there's no absolute need to bring in scaffolding or PPE unless the work is extensive enough to justify it or the workers can't maintain the 3-points rule.

Scaffold cages and PPE are all well and good, but if three people take five hours building a safety system for use on a 30-second job, you're creating more risk than you're solving.

Posted By Dave Merchant
You certainly need to take account of the 'falling sideways' problem if you're installing a birdcage system on a terrace, but the usual method is to run barriers (two poles or a ladderframe) along the edges of the working area rather than extending the birdcage onto adjacent properties. Just moving the edges away means there's still an unprotected edge, and people will always pootle right over it if they're given the opportunity!

Posted By Gary Briggs
Brenda it would not be a birdcage scaffold it would be a tied independent type scaffold, nominally 1metre ish wide by the length of the building. Which would be extended out at each end approximately (old money) 14inch. This would then allow workers to carry out their works safely without over stretching and afford some protection
for the neighbors from falling materials.

Posted By Brenda H
Ok thanks all, and thanks for the presentation, i'll have a look.