Working at Roof hazards and control measures includes all the precautionary measures

 

Working at Roof Safety

A type of work at height is to work on a roof so almost all the control measures which we apply on work at height will be used with this activity.

 

First step is preparing the work area at the roof. This will include safe access/egress and edge protection systems needs to install and safety harness is available specifically at the entrance which could be at access/egress point.

Training for the personal related to their job safety and safe system of work to be conducted and ensure it is understood.

Establish exclusion zone to avoid the unauthorized entry to that area with adequate signs. 

Rescue team is assigned and rescue arrangements are in place. This is most important thing to consider because if a worker fall and if we don’t have emergency rescue arrangements it will hang for a long time and blood circulation may stop because of body weight to safety harness.

Weather condition needs to be access and ensure it is in limits of working safe conditions.

Now we discuss about the roof hazards and control measures.

Hazards related to roof works:

1.     Fragile roof material is a hazard which needs to be identified with warning tape and signs.

2.     Detortion roof material

3.     Unprotected roof edges

4.     Slippery slopes surfaces

5.     Material falling from roof

6.     Person falling from roof

7.     Contact with overhead cables

8.     Manual handling

9.     Weather

10.  Poorly maintained access equipment

11. Vertical distance from ground

Working at roof control measures:

 

1.     Carry out roof survey prior work start

A complete survey of the roof should be carried out and keep record as well. It should be done by competent personal.

 

2.     Safe means of access and egress

Access stairs shall be provided where regular access to roof required. Ladders to be used for those areas where the area is not frequently used.

 

3.     Permit to work system

Permit to work system for all roof work especially if roof is fragile

 

4.     Edge protection on roof

Guard rail systems are provided on all edges where there is risk of falling a personal from 2 meter height or more. As per OSHAD (Occupational Safety and Health of Abu Dhabi ) guard rails shall be provided a minimum of 950mm above the walking level. Mid rail should be installed at 470mm height from the floor level.

Toe board of 150mm must be installed to avoid fall of material or accidently falling of material.

 

5.     Properly stacking of material

Store the material adequately and separately so that it can be retrieved easily and safely when required. It also eliminates the tripping hazards.

 

6.     Create exclusion zone for protection of personal working below

Always create the exclusion zones below with warning signs. But as per my experience it is good practice if we assign a watcher also for that exclusion zone.

 

7.     Avoid working in worse weather condition

Do not allow workforce to work on a roof if weather is not stable (Windy or rainy)

 

8.     Safe lifting of material

For the activities to be performed we need material for the roof. So be careful while lifting the material. Always lift the material as per proper procedure and standards.

 

9.     Adequate roof lighting

If the work will continue till late night or you have the night shift as well then arrange lights for the whole area. Light standard are discuss in my previous post but I will add here as well.

Minimum light required in lux are:

·        For general Construction site, concrete works, excavation, tunnel shaft and underground area:  53.82 lux.

·        For storage area, walkway, maintenance work, refueling and loading platforms: 53.82 lux.

·        And for shops, plants, electrical and mechanical work areas: 90 lux

 

10.                        Competent worker and supervisors

Competent and suitable supervision required all the time for such activity.

 

11.                        Protection of falling materials

Install toe boards for the prevention of material falling. Toe board should be minimum 150mm high.

 

12.                        Access control

Public and visitor entry controlled adequately by providing barriers and signs. Assign a security personal. For the visitors keeps record including the host details.

 

13.                        Waste Control

Waste material shall be transported in skips with net coverings and keep waste segregate with more skips.

 

14.                        Overhead protection

If overhead services are there than adequate clearance shall be maintained for the services over head.

 

15.                        Secure tools with lanyard

All the tools and equipment which are required for the activity should be secure with lanyard.

Categories: Construction Safety, Hazards Control, Height Safety, Roof Works Safety, Work at Height