Hi all,

I'm after some opinions on skylights on accessible roof spaces, am I correct in saying that these should be protected either by barrier/guard rail type arrangements or load bearing mesh?

If not under what circumstances is it permissible not to protect skylights.

Thanks

Also worth checking the spec with the manufacturer, some newer suppliers have a non fragile rating especially in retail, bit of a long shot if these are older units !

There are various standards now for roof lights as in some you can walk on, and some you cant. Its difficult to be specific on here as we have no idea about the age of the building. I would always say, 'don't walk on roof lights' or something similar.

Russ, even if the skylights were originally branded as 'non-fragile' they are probably NOT now, with UV and rain the GRP and fittings will have deteriorated to some indeterminable extent. This means that a person falling onto the skylight may fall through.

If you read though the HSE press releases you'll find someone falls through an old skylight just about once every month! Most of those accidents are fatal.

One of my clients manufactures non-fragile rooflights (skylights as you call them) and on their own roofs the recommendation is that if any employees or contractors have to access the roof, e.g. to service a/c unit or to clean gutters, then if they have to walk within 2 metres of any skylights then those skylights must be covered by a special mesh which will withstand a person falling onto them.

I'll find some links for you.

JohnW

And here are examples of rooflight protection covers

http://www.latchways.com...ragile-roof-covers-2.jpg

http://simplifiedsafety....loads/skylight_cover.jpg

http://www.gravitysoluti....co.uk/img/rhc_roof2.jpg

http://www.totalaccess.c...gile%20Roof%20Covers1%20(2).JPG