Might not be relevant to the reason but i assume you are talking about a RESTRAINT lanyard and not a FALL PROTECTION lanyard. I only ask as some are unaware of the difference and please forgive me if you were already aware.

Jackie There has been no ban on the use of lanyards. However, the Work at Height Regs 2005 stipulate that personal fall arrest systems should only be used as a last resort. There have been a number of concerns over the reliability and performance of these systems, particularly in conjunction with profiled sheet roof cladding. The practicalities involved in the rescue of a fallen and suspended worker within ten minutes also require consideration, in addition to the maintenance issues which have already been highlighted by the CDM-C Designers should only consider providing a running line anchorage system on a roof where it has not been reasonably practicable to: • design out the need for access to the roof (e.g. avoid roof top plant); • provide permanent edge protection (collective measures) to all areas where access is required • allow roof edge access from the ground (e.g. from a MEWP). It appears to me that the CDM-C is only carrying out his/her duties by trying to ensure compliance. Was the CDM-C appointmnent made late by any chance? Danny

Thanks John and Danny. Are you going to the meeting on Thursday evening? if so I would like to chat more about this.

Historically there have been some architects who have had there fingers burnt on this issue as there is no provision within the Workplace Regs for these systems and the HSE have then pressurised Clients to retrofit alternative systems. A lot of architecture practices will no longer put there PI insurance at risk over this very issue. The HSE have not banned these systems, however if wires are fitted this would indicate that the roof is designed to be a workplace at some stage and then there is the question of how this complies with the Workplace Regs.

Jackie I've just been reading your original post. It sounds a bit like rumour rather than documented statement. If I were in your shoes and also in a position so to do, I'd call the bluff of the CDMC who seems to be trying to have jeely on both sides of his piece. He is not prepared to commit himself professionally and seeks to load the blame onto the HSE. Or so it seems. (for those south of the border, jeely=jam and piece=butty) Viewed from a client perspective, I would expect my architect to be able to discern between things on the roof that we know are likely to require access and those areas where the only need is indeterminate future maintenance. I would then expect them to consider the options of perimiter upstands, handrailed platforms, mansafe rooflights etc. etc. and be able to justify the mix they have gone for. And in that mix is roof lines but they must, must be properly designed. I would expect my CDMC to be capable of doing a sensible design critique for me. My criticism of lines would not be that they are inadequate per se but rather based on a major survey I was involved with looking at the design standards on new-build retail "sheds". It was evident in most new builds that the designer had simply not considered the issue until late in the design process when cash was running short. As a result the occupier had major retro-fit work to do to make them fit for purpose. Regards Jim

An HSE inspector made a comment on this type of system a couple of years ago and it was that they considered them to be unsafe when being tested i.e. what does the tester couple to because if the test fails the tester falls. John C

Jackie If the system you are referring to consists of a fixed cable running along the roof - normally at a central position and the person attaches their lanyard to this they can walk along the roof. With the lanyard set at the right length will prevent a person falling off the roof. However this needs testing at regular intervals. The tester will need to be attached to something and as the cable is the only thing available there is the risk that the if the cable fails i.e. pulls out of the fixings then the tester is likely to fall off the roof. The tester could use another anchorage point which could prevent the fall if the cable system failed. The other concern is the cable could fail to hold because of corrosion etc which may have not been present on the inspection but has developed between inspections. Hope this clarifies the situation. John C

Forgetting that this is a roof - if you imagine this to be a steep pitch, it seems to me that the system that the architect should be looking at, after first trying to remove the plant off the roof, is that which is common in rope access techniques. This is where the climber has a primary rope off which he works and a secondary (safety) rope to which he is also attached at all times. This is explained better at http://www.irata.org/explaining_rope_access.htm

Also... The HSE (with very very few exeptions) do not ban or endorse particular safety systems/methods/products etc. They may say it does not comply with current best practice, or that it appears to meet the requirements for legal compliance, but that is about as far as their public opinion (with very very few exceptions) will ever go. Ken