Even for highly skilled workers, working at height can pose a very high risk. Employer/property manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that roof plant screens access is safe for all employees and trades.
You must ensure your workers are safe by using the right fall protection systems, such as a compliant roof hatch, compliant ladders, fall arrest system, and guardrails. To ensure that fall hazards are minimized or eliminated, you need to be aware of a few things. Let’s talk about both.
1. Use Of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Correctly.
Protecting roof workers is as simple as using the correct PPE. Without the proper armor, soldiers will never go into battle. Your workers shouldn’t be allowed to climb onto roofs without proper protective gear. Make sure your workers have the proper gear for the job.
Harnesses: Don’t compromise your workers’ safety with low-quality harnesses. High-quality full-body harnesses are designed to be comfortable and easy to adjust and to work as intended.
Lanyards Choose the right lanyard for the job. If your workers work from higher platforms, you can opt for a retractable Lanyard.
To ensure the best possible performance, inspect your PPE at all times. The user must be certified to use the equipment.
2. Make Sure You Have The Exact Gear
Make sure you have the right fall protection system for your task. You should consider whether the job is temporary or permanent. Here are some options:
Roof Access Hatch: A roof access hatch allows workers safe access to a roof. A roof access hatch Melbourne contractors should choose a sturdy, durable, and highly secure system. It’s not always worth paying more for a roof access hatch.
Ladder Systems Many construction companies use a ladder to access the roof. However, just because ladders appear simple to use doesn’t necessarily mean that they are. If ladders are not used correctly, they can prove dangerous. The ladder’s length should be considered about its roof height. Also, consider whether there are three points of contact for the user at all times. Finally, check if the ladder is sturdy and stable. A ladder that is more than 4.5m in height is strongly discouraged.
Roof Anchors: These roof anchors are professionally designed and installed by engineers. They must be constructed according to safety standards.
Static Line Systems: static line systems allow users to stay connected while working at heights. These systems are used widely when working at heights and provide a great way to protect yourself from falls.
3. Encourage The Buddy System
When your workers are working on roofing, we strongly recommend that you use the buddy system. In the event of an emergency, it is not a good idea to go on the roof by yourself. It’s always a good idea to have another set of eyes if one member fails to observe safety precautions.
4. Communication Is Key
Two workers may not be able to climb onto a roof together, especially if they are working on small-scale projects. If this is the case, make sure that the worker on top has an easy way to communicate with the one below. In this instance, radio or phone could suffice. To ensure safety, encourage your workers to check in every 15 minutes.
5. Enforce Access Rules
You should not attempt to access the roof in an unplanned manner. All workers who plan to work at height should follow the procedures. Workers should be required to follow roof access rules.
- When climbing on the roof, inform the supervisor.
- Set a time limit for employees to be allowed on rooftops.
- These are the steps to follow when climbing onto a roof.
- To ensure all precautions are taken, a safety checklist is created.
- Register with the roof permit system to have a sign-on.
