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#1 Posted : 10 February 2006 10:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Arran Linton - Smith Other than tackling this problem at the design phase, (which could also be interesting in terms of planning consent), does anyone know of a reasonably practical solution, system or best practice that would prevent the fall of a roofer? Current practice is to climb on the battens, which are laid across the roof trusses. With steep pitched roofs, this is like long duration work off ladders.
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#2 Posted : 10 February 2006 11:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Steve99Jones Reduce rafter spacing from 600 to 400mm - this reduces the risk of personnel falling between the rafters. Use of crash decks Use of inflatable air bags Use of large polystyrene blocks. These are all systems that are available from many hire companies, and whilst they may not prevent a fall, they may prevent serious injury from being caused. Steve
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#3 Posted : 10 February 2006 11:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Arran Linton - Smith It is not the falling through the roof space that I am concerned with as this is already dealt with, but the risk of a roofer falling down the out side of the steep pitch roof. Basically the current working practice on steep pitched roofs (i.e. greater than 45o) is arguably ‘work at height’ under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 so we must: · Avoid work at height · Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where the work cannot avoid working at height · Where we cannot eliminate the risk of falls, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur At this stage in the project that I am working on, I cannot tackle the first item on the hierarchy, so I am looking for possible ideas for the second or third.
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#4 Posted : 10 February 2006 12:00:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis Arran When you get to pitches much above 30 degrees then you really are in the realms of treating this roof as a sloping wall. This means scaffolds and completing works as the scaffold is struck. I've encountered this before on a number of occassions and can find no real alternative. Of course suitable edge protection also assists to minmise the risks associated with sliding down the roof if footing is lost. Bob
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#5 Posted : 10 February 2006 12:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Steve99Jones I have seen roofing contractors working with a fixed running line along the apex of the roof, they then attach themselves with a lanyard and harness to the running line. You will however need suitable anchor points for the running line.
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#6 Posted : 10 February 2006 13:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By NLR As the buildings are already erected why not extend the gable scaffolds up to incorporate double hand rails alongside the gable therefore creating a fully hand railed area. Nigel
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#7 Posted : 10 February 2006 13:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Arran Linton - Smith Nigel, I have already thought about your scaffolding idea, however the scaffolding would not be supported in the centre and therefore would fall outside the scope of BS 5973 or TG20. This problem would also be greater with terrace housing. We almost need a lightweight roof-ladder/ working platform system to overcome this problem. Does anyone know of such a system?
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#8 Posted : 10 February 2006 14:00:00(UTC)
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Posted By peter gotch Arran, Check out http://www.ladders-direc...ridge-saddle-ladder.html Regards, Peter
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#9 Posted : 10 February 2006 15:05:00(UTC)
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Posted By NLR Rather than look at TG 20 or BS EN 12811 why not try to get temporary edge protection as prescribed in BS 13374. I like the thought of collective against using ladders, I realise that terrace housing would pose a different problem. I believe that 'combisafe' now use a net system for edge protection that requires fewer supports than traditional tubing. Regards Nigel
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