Posted By GavinR Hi, Contractor has to access a flat roof to place a ladder on it to access the next roof level where work is to be completed. They climb ladder to 1st roof level and position other ladder at the wall up to next roof which is enclosed by a parapet wall of approx 1m in height all around. The first roof level has no protective railings fitted and is exposure on 3 of 4 sides but contractors will not work near these areas at any time. The roof is large enough for there not to be an issue with accidentally stepping back of a ladder,etc and being exposed to a fall hazard. Question- is it over the top to request te contractor provide temp fall prevention railings to this area throughout the small project or is this over the top? My personal instinct is to insist on this as i do not want to rely on their word that they will not approach the exposed edges for any reason. Any thoughts please?

Posted By Rodger Alan Ker I do hope the publishers of this article had the decency to give credit to to the late great Gerald Hofnung for the production of this 45 year old statement. The old uns are the good uns!

Posted By Sally Would the risks involved in putting barriers round the roof not be greater than the risk of falling?

Posted By Ron Hunter GavinR, from what you describe, this (edge protection) seems way OTT. If they do install it, how are they then to get on and off the ladder (the riskiest part!)? I'd focus on effective stability of the ladder by footing/tying.

Posted By Sally GavinR, whilst I respect your right to manage as you see best can I ask how you are going to get the temporary barriers onto the flat roof - surely this is just introducing hazards?

Posted By garyjr This sounds exactly like my own accident situation in 1996 with the only difference being that the flat roof I fell from, had a wrought iron balustrade at the edge. This wrought iron balustrade gave way, while I was carrying out a survey for an intended scaffold structure at the survey stage prior to the scaffold works beginning. I fell four stories head first onto my hands and face breaking every facial bone and loosing several teeth and the sight in one eye. I was successful in my claim against the owners of the building because they owed me a duty of care under the Owner/Occupiers Liability Act, however the people in control of the roof were also held accountable. I would have said a flat roof with no balustrade would have been safer than one which had one because this balustrade gave the impression of a suitable edge protection. There was however no control measures in place for people gaining access to the roof and although it was common knowledge within the building that the balustrade had a backstay missing and needed refixed/resecured - I was not given this vital piece of information. The workers in the above situation might know not to go near the edge of the roof but can you be sure there will be no one else walking about on it or working near the edge? This includes visitors to site, members of the public and even potential thiefs have to be protected - although the last one is a bit silly I know. I'm not saying you definately need edge protection but unless this job can be done quickly and the ladder onto the flat roof is not going to be utilised by anyone else then you are taking a chance by not having adequate edge protection.

Posted By CFT Devil if you do and devil if you don't springs to mind. 'At no time will they be closer than 2 metres to an exposed edge.' When they get off the ladder they will be of course but then as soon as they climb the ladder they will be at height minus any protection; much the same as happens tens of thousands of times a day. If you really want to protect them, can you not use a scissor, open gate in direction of route, scissor gives protection from fall backwards (as long as it is tight to the edge,) toddle off, do job, egress safely and job done. CP will get them to the centre of the roof to go the whole hog, or a boom to remove any further need for ladders on the next level? Cost £80 for SL for the day. Seems cheap to me for peace of mind and to tick most boxes. CFT