Hi 

Can anone give me some undestanding / guidance of the following 

If a mansafe system was installed 13 years ago and now been removed because the roof space has solar panles in its place as part of the install  .

Q1 Would it be deemed illegal to not replace the mansafe system.... No staff or contractors will ever be allowed on the roof going forward and roof cat ladder will be tagged out 

Q2 Would a RAMS  be suitable and sufficent (without a mansafe ) if roof acsess is required by an appoved contractor using a cherry picker   

Q3 If no mansafe system  is in place and a cherry picker will not do the job , is it illegal to ask a scaffolding installation team to fit a safe system of work ie handrails  / roof light protection system without them being able to attach to the mansafe  subject to seeing the RAMS of course 

Thanks in advance 

John  

Hi John

It is not a case of something is illegal or not, it's whether you can adopt a Safe System of Work by using an alternative means of accessing the roof. It is up to the HSE or rather, the courts to decide whether something is legal or otherwise.

Hi John,

If I was in your shoes I would be writing a policy on the only acceptable access methods allowed to access the roof for any purpose.  I would imagine at some point theres still going to be maintenance or cleaning on solar panels and the roof itself?  You could make considerations for companies who are Rope Access Trained only to be granted permission onto the roof for maintenance etc Include in your policy that RAMS must come from them first before any work is granted along with the appropriate working permits etc!  They will at least have experience of accessing roofs without mansafe systems.

Brian