Posted By Paul Sheather Hi, I have just joined a business to install solar panels on buildings and while we have had no worries with flat roofs we are now being asked to install on pitched roofs. What concerns me is finding a safety system that we can use to install the panels. We are looking at MEWPs but I feel that these might be constrictive. Does anyone know of a fall protection system we can use on a pitched roof. We expect to work on a roof for only a week so dont want to set up anything too elaborate. Many thanks

Posted By Granville Jenkins Hi Paul There could be a couple of options depending on what access is like. One option would be to use an abseiling technique where you have a counter-balanced weight on the opposite side of the building to which you are working and operatives use a roof ladder to access the ridge, operatives are attached to counter balance by a fall restraint (not fall arrest) life line, this of course does mean that your operatives would need to be trained (and would they volunteer for such a stunt?) the other problem is that they would have to gain access to the ridge and if climbing up the roof away from the counter balance the fall arrest would be useless - so I guess that idea can be discounted (for all but the simplest of jobs e.g. replacing a slipped roof tile) as your work would be more demanding it is unlikely that such a system would be deemed suitable or sufficient therefore the only option that seems to be open is a fully boarded scaffold with adequate edge protection (say brick guards just in case an operative slips and rolls down the roof not a very comfortable landing but better than having flying lessons without wings!) Regards Granville

Posted By Dan Malone Hi Paul, Your question in relation to fall protection on a pitched roof brings up some interesting questions. 1 You need to insure that you have an adequate means of accessing the roof. This will be either sacffolding or use a MEWP. 2 Try to use collective protective measures such as safety netting. This might not be applicable for an existing building. 3 Use personal protection. This would mean harnesses and fall protection. Miller Fall portection offer specific means for pitch roofs http://www.millerfallpro...on.com/miller/index.html Using number 3 wil bring in inspection and training required for all staff that are expected to use the PPE. If this is to be a regular activity on replacing sky lights might work out the cheapest and most reliable option. Hope this help in your questions. Regards Dan Malone

Posted By Dan Malone Sorry Ali I getting confused between Ireland an England. Here in Ireland group protection is place above personal fall protection in the hierachy of protection. This is also in the UK law under the Working at Height REgs 2005 which states in schedule 4 collective safeguards for arresting falls. The MEWP or cherry picker is used to access the roof only after securing to the fall portection. Regards Dan