Roof safety solutions
Roof safety solutions were designed in recent years mainly based on lifeline systems and anchor points EN ISO 795. Over the last years, large corporations began to realize that what is cheap comes out very expensive in the end. The high costs associated with annual inspections and the need to provide training for roof users hit the operating costs of the building year after year. Therefore, the concept of securing the roof with collective protection equipment (CPE) has become more and more common.
In this post, we will show you what are the available roof safety solutions using collective protective equipment (CPE).
- Benefits of using CPE as roof safety solutions against falls from height
- Legal basis – collective protection equipment (CPE)
- Roof safety solutions based on CPE
- safety railings
- skylight fall protection
- demarcation roof barriers
- fixed vertical ladders
- roof walkways
Benefits of using CPE as roof safety solutions against falls from height
The use of roof safety solutions based on collective protective equipment (CPE) has many advantages over the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Above all them:
- increases the level of safety at the working area. Safe work at height is ensured regardless of the roof user’s approach. When entering the danger zone, the employee does not have to do anything to ensure his own safety.
- freedom of movement on the roof without limiting the number of roof users at once. This significantly affects the speed and efficiency of works.
- safety does not depend on the user’s skills in the use of specialized mountaineering equipment. Companies operating devices or performing work on the roof, as well as roof users, do not need to have additional qualifications to work at height. Take into consideration that in the case of PPE systems, in the event of a fall from height, the employer will have to prove that the employee was properly trained, had the required certificates and periodic examinations, etc. and all the PPE safety systems had its periodic inspections passed.
- no need to create new procedures by HSO services concerning equipment control or access to the roof. Roof safety solutions based on CPE are treated as a structural element of a building.
- no maintenance cost for the safety system. One time investment. Fall from height hazard elimination once and for all.
Legal basis - collective protection equipment (CPE)
Roof safety solutions based on CPE are the most effective protection against falling from height. As passive fall protection systems, they exclude employee’s decision to ensure themselves or not. Safety on the roofs is thus always guaranteed regardless of the employee’s approach to safety procedures.
Directive 89/391/EEC, which lays down the principles of preventive action, prioritizes CPE over personal protective equipment (PPE). The regulations clearly state that lifeline systems and anchor points EN ISO 795 should only be used when it is not possible to use collective protection equipment such as safety railings or safety nets.
Roof safety solutions based on CPE
We introduce you below the roof safety solutions that allow securing the danger zone regardless of the employee’s approach. All they are solutions preventing falling from height based on CPE (Collective Protection Equipment).
Safety railings EN ISO 14122-3
This is an increasingly common roof safety solution to secure roof edges. This way we can completely close the danger area. A wide selection of fixings allows you to secure any type of roof. The modular system enables quick and easy assembly of the railing, thus minimizing the costs and assembly time. They are guardrails made of aluminium, which guarantee many years of use without any special maintenance. They do not require periodic inspections as they are treated as part of the building.
Skylight fall protection
Please note that, according to the prevailing provisions, we should choose only between two solutions for securing skylights:
EN ISO 1263 European standard does not consider the use of safety nets in the case of small openings such as skylights. Therefore, devices certified on the basis of the EN ISO 1263 standard (safety nets) are not valid to skylights and dome lights. You can read more about it here.
Demarcation of dangerous areas on the roof
If it is necessary to temporarily or permanently fence off dangerous areas or demarcate communication routes on roofs, demarcation barriers are a very effective protection against falling from height.
Fixed vertical ladders EN ISO 14122-3
Vertical ladders are designed for safe access to the roof of the building. They are lightweight and maintenance-free as they are made of aluminium. VECTALADDER® fixed ladders are one of the widest ladders of this type on the market (60 cm wide). This guarantees optimal comfort for users and allows access to the roof with materials.
Roof walkways EN ISO 14122-3
Roof safety solutions must also prevent authorized personnel from accessing rooftop installations. We often find light and slippery roofs where parapets and obstacles must be overcome. Roof and walkway platforms certified in accordance with the EN ISO 14122-3 standard ensure the maximum level of safety when moving on the roof. They are made of aluminium, which guarantees many years of use without any special maintenance. They are lightweight devices that does not load the roof.
Final conclusions
It is not worth saving money by installing lifelines systems EN ISO 795 as a roof safety solution. The costs associated with the maintenance, training and hiring of climbing companies authorized to use lifelines during the building lifetime are huge. On the other hand, safety lifelines leave the decision to protect themselves or not in the hands of the roof user. Roof safety solutions based on CPE ensure 100 % safety and are much cheaper during the lifetime building.
If you want to keep informed about roof safety solutions, read our posts on this subject right here.
