Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all,
We have a selection of roof/sky lights here, most of which are fairly old and situated on "working" roof spaces.
Am I right in saying that in this sort of situation that as well as sign posting the fragile surface some form of protection should be provided i.e. barriers or something load bearing??
Or is a a case of if the work on the roof space takes place within a certain distance, 3 meters of the roof light?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Application of the hierarchy and I think your first instinct is the right one.
Is working on the roof even necessary?
Is working on the roof even remotely likely to take them near the risk of a fall?
Prevent the fall in the first instance unless not reasonably practicable to do so.
Minimise consequence as last resort.
So my thinking is signs as a minimum, prevention via barriers or similar as a massive preference unless you have some reasonable reason why not to. Each roof and task on its own merits though. There could be situations where barriers are impractical and where the work is far enough away that they're never realistically going to come close to the risk.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I would not accept a 3 meter rule. Trying to predict what people do is difficult and I’ve seen all sorts of acts of stupidity. You have got to have collective fall protection.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I agree with Alfasev, a robust cover over the rooflight which will take the full weight of a person is all I would accept. Signage is not sufficient and the 3 metre rule is not a guarantee that someone will not erroneously step onto the skylight. Barriers if sturdy enough could be ok, but a cover would be easier to implement in my opinion.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Russ
Presume these are flat roofs.
How often do people go up, for how long and to do what/where?
Until you have an answer to these QQ it is not really possible to decide on what is reasonably practicable.
My view, tinged with experience of investigating 10 fatal accidents involving roofwork.
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Rank: Forum user
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I am afraid it is more than just the hierarchy of measures there are specific legal duties for fragile surfaces (2005 WAH Regs). Not just signage, but having safeguards in place to prevent people falling through.
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Rank: Super forum user
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..... it's still not absolute requirements though. Very much tempered with reasonably practicable and with a sequence of options.
Reg 9 fundamentally replicates the hierarchy with just a slight bit more detail. Don't work on or 'near' them. If you have to, then prevent the fall...if you can't even do that, mitigate the consequence.
FWIW - I probably wouldn't want to try and argue that 3m distance wasn't 'near' to a skylight.
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Rank: Forum user
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We installed a welded cross frame supported on four legs and with a short sections welded between the crosses . These just sit on the roof over each plastic dome shaped roof light. about 50mm over each roof light.Should anyone slip/trip/fall, these frames can take their weight.
Also ;
Installed fragile roof surfaces signage.
Walkways with a reduced slip surface raised about 1omm over the surface of the roof (so water cannot easily pool over it and freeze in winter)
Restrict roof access to authorised personnel (ladder locks and signage)
An annual roof inspection to ensure all frames are in position
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