Posted By Andy Maguire Has anyone developed a safe system of work for those accessing roof areas to carry out initial roof surveys where edge or fall protection has not been set up as the scope of work, if any, has yet to be defined. The usual practice being the surveyor turns up with his ladder and (hopefully someone to foot it!)carries out a quick inspection before writing a report which may then result in work being carried out. Having looked at the draft work at height regs, in this instance it is almost impossible to eliminate the work at height as using other means such as viewing from another roof with binoculars may not provide sufficient information to assess the condition of the roof. Any information would be gratefully recieved. Regards Andy

Posted By Ken Taylor You could try speaking to one of the specialist companies that provide and install fall arrest/restraint, etc equipment to ask what their safe working methods contain. I would want to consider including the need for a second person to be available (even if this is someone from the client) and a requirement to only access roofs when necessary (and in safe environmental conditions) and when on a 'flat' roof without adequate edge protection, not to be within 2m of the unprotected edge unless essential for access/egress - or words to that effect. HSG 33 should also provide some suitable text to add to these. I would suggest that the risk for a surveyor actually looking at fall hazards is somewhat different to someone carrying on other work in the vicinity of such hazards - in as much as one is there to be aware of the hazard while the other has a lot of other things on the mind to do with the actual job and will be there a lot longer with various items of tools, equipment, etc. However, I do remember an incident when a surveyor went onto a scaffold to inspect it and fell off - so great care needs to be exercised in all cases. Having spent a lot of time on various roofs (some of considerable antiquity) with surveyors, I should also be interested to hear if you get some more (and better) guidance from those 'in the business'.