Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all, I'm in the process of reviewing a method statement for a contractor who has been commissioned to test roof anchor systems. In terms of accessing the roofs they state that an alloy (freestanding) tower will be used. My understanding has always been that persons using an alloy tower must always work within the guardrails of the tower and must not use it as a means of accessing another structure. In such circumstances where access to a structure is required a fixed scaffold would seem much more preferable. I appreciate that installing fixed scaffolding would incur expense for the contractor as they would have sub-contract this portion of the work; however, I'm uncomfortable to say the least at the thought of them using an alloy tower as a means of access.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
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Rank: Super forum user
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taken from HSG 33 Health and Safety In Roof Work
Safe access to the roof
29 Safe access to a work area requires careful planning, particularly where work progresses along the roof. Typical methods to access roofs are:
general access scaffolds;■■
stair towers;■■
fixed or mobile scaffold towers;■■
mobile access equipment;■■
ladders; and
■■roof access hatches
So its look ok BUT i would suggest it needs a detailed risk assessment to ensure that stability etc is maintained.
Sorry about font cutting from HSE document upset the site.
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 1 user thanked HSSnail for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Having posted the above yesterday started thinking about
what would be needed in the risk assessment. As I said how stability would be
maintained was my 1st thought, but also how would the transition
from the tower to the roof be achieved? I certainly would not want them climbing
over the guard rail – but if they left the guard rail off of side of the tower
would the other three sides maintain their structural strength, and the
transition point height must match the roof height with minimum gap.
A little google search shows there are products out there
designed to get round these issues. I have attached a link to a you tube is quite
interesting. These look to be American products. When searching Stair Scaffolds
or Stair Towers most of the adverts I found in UK were for products to erect on
stairways rather than to produce a stair way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoHIMcoitlg
Good luck with solving your dilemma.
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