Table of Contents
If you manage a building or oversee a team working at height, you’ve likely grappled with how to ensure safety without overcomplicating every rooftop task. Falls from height remain a top cause of workplace injuries in the UK, according to the Health and Safety Executive. Fortunately, there’s a practical solution: Kee Walk with handrails. This Harcon system delivers collective fall protection—a straightforward way to keep workers safe without relying on personal protective equipment (PPE) like harnesses or fall arrest systems. Let’s explore why this roof walkway offers such effective collective fall protection for safe access and fall prevention.
What Makes Kee Walk with Handrails Stand Out?
Imagine a maintenance crew navigating a wet, uneven roof—perhaps littered with skylights, pipes, or sharp level changes. Kee Walk provides a level, anti-slip roof walkway that guides workers along a clear path, steering them away from hazards while protecting the roof surface from wear. Add handrails, and it transforms into a robust collective protection system. Unlike personal fall protection setups requiring harnesses, this approach eliminates the need for extra gear, offering a physical barrier that safeguards multiple workers at once.
Its strength lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Kee Walk fits nearly any roof type—flat roofs, slopes up to 35 degrees, standing seam, metal, or composite. The handrails, made with galvanised Kee Klamp fittings or lightweight Kee Lite aluminium, attach easily to one or both sides. Installation is quick, it doesn’t penetrate the roof, and it complies with standards like BS EN 14122-3 and BS EN 13374. This is collective protection at its most practical—no specialised user training or equipment required.
Why Opt for Collective Fall Protection Over Personal Systems?
When it comes to fall protection systems, you’ve got two main options: personal fall protection and collective measures. Personal systems—like a body harness tethered to an anchorage point—work well for individuals but come with extra steps. They demand a risk assessment for each task, proper training, and a rescue plan in case of a fall. If someone forgets to clip in, the system fails.
Collective fall protection takes a broader approach. It protects everyone on the roof without relying on individual actions. Think guard rails, safety nets, or Kee Walk with handrails. The Health and Safety Executive prioritises this method in their hierarchy of collective control measures because it removes the fall hazard upfront, no personal protective equipment needed. For building owners or self-employed contractors, it reduces complexity and risk while keeping teams productive.
How It Compares to Fall Arrest Systems
Here’s the difference: fall arrest systems—like lifelines with a shock absorber—catch someone after a fall. They’re reliable but reactive, allowing a drop that could lead to personal injury or serious consequences. Kee Walk with handrails is proactive—a fall restraint system that stops falls before they start. Workers stay secure without needing rope access or backup like air bags. It’s a cleaner, simpler way to manage roof edge protection.
How Kee Walk with Handrails Performs on the Job
Consider a warehouse in Manchester with a challenging roof—pipes everywhere, a slight slope, and a team of three needing easy access for a quick job. Harcon’s Kee Walk comes in 1.5m or 3m sections, built from nylon or aluminium treads that grip even in wet conditions. Handrails attach using modular fittings, creating a collective protection system that’s ready fast. It’s non-penetrative, preserving the roof, and lightweight—under 9kg/m per section, manageable for two workers.
For obstacles, integrate it with Harcon’s Kee Step Stepovers [internal link to Kee Step page if available]. For added safety equipment, it pairs effortlessly with Kee Line lifelines [internal link to Kee Line page] or Kee Guard guardrails [internal link to Kee Guard page]. It’s versatile enough for flat roofs or pitches up to 35 degrees, and the open tread design prevents water buildup—key for a safe working environment in the UK’s damp climate.
Compliance You Can Rely On
Harcon takes standards seriously. Kee Walk with handrails meets EN 516 Class 1-C and EN 14122-3, earning a CE mark, and the guardrails comply with BS EN 13374 and OSHA requirements. This level of certification reassures any competent person—whether a contractor or building owner—that it aligns with height regulations and protects against all the risks.
The Advantages for Your Team and Roof
This system brings clear benefits. It’s low risk—no falling objects or suspended workers, just a steady path with a physical barrier. It’s cost-effective, cutting out expenses for personal protection gear or frequent anchor point checks. The UV-stable nylon treads and corrosion-resistant fittings ensure durability, even in harsh weather. Plus, it safeguards your roof by keeping traffic on a defined route, reducing wear on delicate roof surfaces—a practical win for maintenance costs.
For workers, it’s a relief. They can focus on the task without managing a body harness or worrying about such systems failing. It’s collective protection that simplifies their day, backed by sufficient measures to keep everyone safe.
Why Harcon Excels in Rooftop Safety
With decades of experience, Harcon knows safety solutions. Kee Walk with handrails reflects that expertise—we’ll survey your site, design a tailored system, and install it if needed. Whether you’re navigating skylights or addressing roof edge protection, we’ve got the tools and know-how. Ready to discuss your project? Get in touch [internal link to contact page]—our team’s here to streamline roof work safety.
Take Control of Rooftop Safety Today
Kee Walk with handrails isn’t just a roof walkway—it’s a proven collective fall protection system that ditches the complexity of personal fall setups. This isn’t about patching together temporary fixes; it’s about delivering robust, reliable collective fall protection that keeps your workers safe, your roof intact, and your peace of mind secure. Built to last and simple to install, it’s the smart choice for any rooftop task.
Don’t leave safety to chance or outdated methods. Harcon’s expertise is ready to turn your rooftop risks into a thing of the past. Contact our team HERE—let’s craft a collective fall protection solution that safeguards your crew and your business, starting today.
Kee Walk® with Handrails Collective Fall Protection FAQs
1. What makes Kee Walk® with handrails a better choice than using personal protective equipment (PPE)?
While personal protective equipment such as body harnesses and fall arrest equipment is crucial in some situations, it requires user training, regular inspections, and a competent person to oversee usage. Kee Walk® with handrails provides a collective fall protection system, meaning it protects all users without the need for personal fall protection like rope access or work restraint setups. This makes it a low-risk and easy-access solution for persons working on rooftops.
2. How does Kee Walk® prevent falls from roof edges?
Kee Walk® with handrails is a collective protection system that acts as a physical barrier, preventing workers from getting too close to the roof edge. Unlike fall arrest systems, which only stop a fall after it happens, Kee Walk® focuses on fall prevention by directing foot traffic along a dedicated roof walkway. Additionally, it complies with edge protection standards set by the Health and Safety Executive.
3. Can Kee Walk® be used on any type of roof surface?
Yes! Kee Walk® is designed to work effectively on various roof surfaces, including standing seam, membrane, metal, and composite roofs. It can be installed on flat roofs and sloped structures up to 35°, making it one of the most versatile safety solutions for roof work.
4. Do building owners need to conduct a risk assessment before installing Kee Walk®?
Absolutely. Under height regulations, building owners are responsible for ensuring all the risks associated with roof work are assessed. This includes identifying fall hazards, ensuring sufficient measures are in place, and implementing collective measures such as Kee Walk® before relying on personal protective measures. A thorough risk assessmentwill determine whether further action is needed, such as integrating guard rails, safety net systems, or air bags for additional protection.
5. Is Kee Walk® suitable for short-duration roof access?
Yes. Whether you need a roof walkway for short-duration maintenance tasks or frequent safe access, Kee Walk® is an ideal solution. Unlike fall arrest systems, which require anchorage points and shock absorbers, Kee Walk® with handrails offers instant protection without complicated work equipment. This makes it perfect for self-employedworkers or contractors who need quick and safe access without extensive personal fall protection training.
6. What happens if Kee Walk® with handrails needs maintenance or replacement?
Kee Walk® is built from high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials, meaning it requires minimal maintenance. However, regular inspections by a competent person are essential to ensure continued compliance with height regulations and collective control measures. If any sections need replacing, the modular design allows for easy swaps without dismantling the entire fall protection system.