As businesses and organisations increase their operations, ensuring rooftop fall protection in the workplace is a critical priority.
Roof walkway safety systems are a form of Roof safety system designed to ensure that workers can access all areas of the roof safely and securely. It is important for employers to assess whether or not they need a roof walkway system in order to protect their employees from potential hazards on the job site.
In this article, we will discuss what types of buildings may require a roof walkway system, how such systems work and why it’s important for employers to consider installing one.
Changes to UK Roof Safety
Over the last few decades, roof construction in the UK has changed drastically. With an increased demand for energy efficiency and sustainability, buildings are now being built with more obstacles on their rooftops than ever.
From heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) units to rooftop solar panels, these obstacles create a hazard for workers requiring roof access.
Fragile panels can be found on many rooftops, which pose a safety hazard for workers travelling across the roof. These panels are often made of materials such as glass or thin plastic and can easily break if stepped on, causing falling debris or sharp shards that could cause serious injuries. These panels have the potential to create trip hazards when workers traverse across them, making it difficult to navigate the roof safely.
Roof Access Obstacles
Sudden changes in level can also be a major risk factor when accessing roofs. This includes abrupt drops and rises in level between two adjacent sections of the rooftop, which puts workers in danger of slipping or tripping over the difference in height. It is important for employers to ensure that their roofs are levelled properly and free from any unforeseen changes in elevation for safe operation.
One of the biggest changes in UK roof construction is the introduction of parapets. Parapets are walls or roof barrier systems installed along the perimeter of a flat or sloping roof, which protects from falls. These walls can be up to 2m high, adding additional safety for workers that access roofs without the need got personal protection.
Employer Obligation
Many modern buildings are designed with complex structures which often have multiple levels and sections. These complex structures often require workers to climb ladders and navigate obstacles that can prove difficult without proper safety measures.
Considering installing a roof walkway safety system to encourage safe access working conditions would be a positive move for any employer. This type of safety system creates a secure pathway over any obstacles present on the roof surface, allowing workers to access all areas safely and securely.
Roof Walkway Safety Systems for Any Roof Surface
Flat roofs with high parapets – These types of roofs can still require a roof walkway safety system to provide stability and demarcation and guards against potential trips and falls.
Complex structures – Multi-level buildings can be difficult to navigate without proper safety measures in place, so a roof walkway system is recommended for added protection from slips and falls.
Sloped roofs – Steep-sloping roofs can be particularly hazardous, so installing a roof walkway system with inclined steps and indeed stepover platforms for much higher rises help to ensure safe access up top.
Areas prone to water damage – Installing a roof walkway system can help protect workers from exposure to dangerous elements such as pooled water areas that can occur on job sites due to storms or heavy rainfall that may occur during working hours eliminating slip hazards.
Rooftop Obstacles – Surfaces which are fragile, contain HVAC units, solar panels or skylights can be challenging for workers to traverse without a secure pathway. A roof walkway system is ideal for navigating around obstacles or when used in conjunction with a Kee Step stepover, allows a user to traverse over an obstacle, allowing access to all areas of the roof safely.
What is a Roof Walkway System and Why Do You Need It
A roof walkway safety system is a modular walkway system that is easy to install and designed to meet British and international safety standards. Available in both nylon and aluminium treaded options.
Kee Walk roof walkway safety system is a comprehensive roof walkway system designed to provide safe and secure pathways for workers who need access to elevated areas. It consists of prefabricated components that are designed to withstand the toughest conditions. Kee Aluminium Walkway, also meets all health and safety regulations in the UK and ensures that employees can work safely at heights without putting themselves at risk of injury or worse.
Kee Step is a roof safety system that works in conjunction Kee Walk and is designed to provide safe and secure access for workers who need to go up and over obstacles on a roof or up and on to another elevated area. It consists of prefabricated components that are engineered with high-grade materials to ensure optimum safety and durability. With Kee Step, employers can be confident that their employees will have the protection they need when accessing hard-to-reach areas on the job site.
Roof walkway systems can help protect against water damage and other weather-related hazards, while providing additional security for any workers on the roof. They are particularly useful for buildings with flat roofs, as they can provide stability on surfaces that may otherwise be prone to slipping or sliding.
Benefits of Installing a Roof Walkway System
Installing a roof walkway safety system, like Kee Walk – designed for almost virtually any roof configuration and surface including metal, standing seam, membrane, composite, and trapezoidal – means instant fall protection when working at height.
Kee Walk can handle inclines up to 35 degrees and even steeper when used in conjunction with the Kee Step step over system. It can be set up as either a freestanding or secured system, featuring an open tread design that prevents water from accumulating.
The walkway can additionally be equipped with safety handrails that can be effortlessly attached to one or both sides of the aluminium treads. By integrating it with Kee modular hand railing, the walkway serves as a comprehensive fall protection system, enabling access without requiring additional training or equipment.
When a Roof Walkway Safety System isn’t enough
When a roof walkway system does not offer full protection for the obstacles or surfaces encountered on a job site, employers may need to consider installing additional safety measures such as roof step overs.
Roof step overs are an important part of any comprehensive roof safety system, and can help ensure that workers have safe access to all areas, enabling users to traverse over obstacles or up onto elevated roof levels without putting themselves at risk of injury or worse.
How to Choose the Right Type of Roof Safety System for Your Building
Choosing the right type of roof safety system for your building is critical to ensure the safety of workers accessing the roof or other elevated areas. When making this decision, employers should consider factors such as the complexity of the structure and cost savings associated with investing in a quality system.
In addition to these factors, it is also important to take a risk-based approach when selecting a roof safety system. This means that employers must consider which type of system best suits their particular needs and conditions. The hierarchy of control recommended when dealing with risks associated with working at height.
This hierarchy means that, when possible, employers should focus on using the least intrusive safety measures first and then gradually increase in complexity if needed. This ensures that the right level of protection is provided for each job site without being overly burdensome or costly.
1. Eliminating risks – This involves completely removing any potential hazard before any work begins. For example, if a company has multiple HVAC units installed on a flat roof, they may consider relocating them to another area so that workers no longer need access to the roof surface itself while working.
2. Minimising risks – If eliminating risks is not possible, then minimising them should be considered next. Companies can do this by implementing additional safety measures such as installing temporary guardrails or providing additional protective clothing for workers who will be accessing the roof or other elevated areas during working hours.
3. Controlling risks – Even if some risks cannot be eliminated or minimised completely, employers can still take steps to manage them more effectively by installing an appropriate roof walkway system. This might involve selecting one that is designed specifically for their particular conditions (e.g., metal roofs), or one that features an open tread design to prevent pooling of rainwater on flat surfaces and provide extra stability for workers in wet conditions.
4. Monitoring and reviewing – It is also important to review and monitor all existing systems regularly to ensure they are still fit for purpose and meet all current safety regulations and guidelines in terms of air quality monitoring worker protection at height and other workplace issues related to health and safety requirements.
Finally, when choosing a roof walkway system it is always wise to opt for one that comes from a reputable manufacturer like Kee Safety who has established experience in providing safe solutions for their customers’ specific needs and requirements.
Quality assured products can offer greater peace-of-mind when it comes to protecting your employees from potential accidents or injury while on the job site – potentially saving you money in long run too!
Roof Walkway Safety System Experts
When it comes to choosing the right type of roof walkway safety system to install for your building, employers should consider all factors such as complexity, risks from weather-related hazards and cost savings associated with investing in a quality system.
At Harcon we provide high-quality roof walkway saftey systems designed specifically for different roofs, ensuring maximum protection against falls and other workplace health and safety hazards.
If you need help selecting the right fall protection solution or have questions about our products, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are here to ensure that your workers remain safe at height when accessing rooftops or other elevated areas on the project or job site.