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Hi all, Bit of a dispute at the moment about the above. We have a series of roofs across our premises that are accessed by maintance staff/contractors.
I am of the opinion that the roof/sky lights should be protected be that by barrier or load bearing mesh. However the opposite opinion is that to do that would be over zealous and a waste of money as only people familiar with the area access it and should provide RAMS prior to going up there.
Anyone have any thoughts on this at all? thanks.
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In my opinion they are your risks for you to control. Asking that whoever accesses the roof to simply produce a RAMS and be familiar with the dangers is not enough.
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 1 user thanked WatsonD for this useful post.
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Originally Posted by: WatsonD  In my opinion they are your risks for you to control. Asking that whoever accesses the roof to simply produce a RAMS and be familiar with the dangers is not enough.
exactly my point and also what if they trip near one of these fragile areas or they decide to be nosey and peer into one and lose their footing. The way I view it is that the consequences of an incident from both a legal and moral stand point far outweigh the cost of providing protection. It has been suggested that a latch way system would be control enough too?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Do you not have designated walkways and edge protection that steer staff away from hazardous areas to the area they need to access, plus why are they on the roof - are they maintaining plant.
SBH
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in answer to SBH Maintaining plant, accessing some plant rooms, gully clearance etc. No demarcated routes, edge protection around edges yes
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Russ, Regulation 9 of WAHR details the required proportionate response. The nature of the work and the method statement should determine the degree of protection required.
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2 users thanked Ron Hunter for this useful post.
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Originally Posted by: Ron Hunter Russ, Regulation 9 of WAHR details the required proportionate response. The nature of the work and the method statement should determine the degree of protection required.
Thanks Ron, have checked this section out, pretty much sums it up very nicely for me. Cheers
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Also bear in mind the area may need to be accessed when frosty or in darkness. Also if the skylights are made from plastic - which may well deteriorate when exposed to UV rays from the sun. Best in my opionion is to fabricate simple cross shaped guards or similar to go oven them and also install fragile signage.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I would caution against fitting permanent guards. These are likely to deteriorate, may compromise the integrity of the roof or surround, make cleaning and maintenance problematic, they will also need inspection and would have to be capable of meeting the requirements of relevant British Standard by design. All of this would involve additional and unnecessary work at height.
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I would firstly findout if the roof light are walkable as are the ones that we fit on industrial buildings if they are there is no issue if not when we work on roofs we erect a A frame scaffold around the area not to be entered this is inexpensive alternative to fixed barriers on some occations we have had road cones and barrier tape to us as demarcation i would also write in the RAMS about not standing on the roof lights under no circumstances
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Rank: Super forum user
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NEVER assume a rooflight is 'walkable on'. The GRP material may be of a non-fragile standard when new, but how old are your rooflights?
Also are you going to assume it was fitted correctly and the seals/fittings have not deteriorated? The HSE press releases have one of more rooflight fall accident every month, some fatal, most very serious injuries, huge fines and even prison sentences.
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Rank: Forum user
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