Fall Assessments

Be Safe Working on Roofs

Everyone is responsible for preventing falls when working on a roof. The building owner/property manager, the self-employed contractor, any subcontractor and the worker are each responsible for safety considerations.

Health and safety on the roof starts when the decision is made to access the roof or work begins near the roof edge. All aspects of working safely at a height should be considered. The general rule is: A fall protection system is required when there is a fall hazard of more than 3 metres and where the roof parapet edge is less than 36 inches tall.

Preventing falls from heights is a priority for the Ministry of Labour (MOL). The MOL expects employers and contractors with staff working at a height to actively manage any significant hazard.

Control the Hazard 

Doing nothing to address safety is not an option. In order to stay safe when working at a height, you need to ensure effective controls are in place to prevent people being harmed.

To select the most effective controls, you must consider the following steps:

• Eliminate the chances of a fall by doing as much of the preparation work as possible before work begins. Normally this is done by doing a fall hazard roof assessment. The assessment report will review all aspects of safe access and egress for all work activities that may take place on the roof. The intent is to isolate the worker from the risk of a fall by using guard rails, scaffolds and roof edge protection as means of prevention. In some situations a combination of controls will be required to ensure safe work.
• Edge protection is imperative. Edge protection should be used as a means of isolating workers from a fall. This includes guard rails, horizontal life lines, localized tieback and lifeline anchors, access ladders and catwalks. Edge protection should be provided on all the exposed edges of a roof, including the perimeter of buildings, skylights or other fragile roof materials and for any openings in the roof. This also applies to openings and edges of floor areas.
• Where there is the risk of workers falling through openings in a roof, the openings should be identified and guarded. 

Check List for Working Safely on a Roof

• Are workers trained or supervised to work on a roof, near the roof edge or over the edge using suspended equipment safely?
• Has a full hazard assessment been completed before work starts?
• Is there safe access to all roof areas?
• Has the contractor provided a work plan to safely access the building edge or facade?
• Have the roof and fall arrest system been inspected, reviewed and tested if needed?
• Have all the access restrictions been identified and understood by the contractors?
• Are workers protected from falling off roof edges and do they have a rescue plan?
• Are workers protected from falling from incomplete roofs?
• Are workers protected from falling through skylights and penetrations or other brittle roofing?
• Are people below the work protected from the dangers of falling materials?
• Do roof workers have appropriate footwear to prevent them from slipping?
• Are the weather conditions suitable for working on a roof?
• Have lower electrical hazards and vehicle traffic hazards been identified?  

Other Possible Considerations

• Eliminate the hazard of a fall from a roof.
• Work from the ground.
• Work from inside where there is no possibility of a fall.
• Prefabricate components at ground level or prior to installation.
• Remove complete fixtures to ground level or shop for maintenance (e.g. air conditioning units).
• Pre-paint fixtures/roof prior to installation.
• When isolating the hazard of a fall from a roof you can consider some addition temporary protections.
• Scaffolding and mobile scaffolds/step platforms/working in an elevating work platform.

Temporary Edge Protection

Perimeter counter weighted guard railing physical barriers can be used; at least 2 metres from a fall hazard or to prevent access to a hazard. Safety nets on top of purlins may also be an option for temporary edge protection.

It’s the law – doing nothing is not an option!

Compliance with the legal requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act is the responsibility of anyone associated with working at a height in a place of work. The law recognizes that the building owner/property manager has the necessary means to control, eliminate, isolate and minimize fall hazards. 

Preventing falls from heights starts with a professional fall assessment of your roof top. 

For more information call 1-800-461-0575 (www.pro-bel.ca).