Work performed on the Roof of Buildings
Work carried out in elevated places involves a significant risk of falling from such heights. In the case of work on roofs, this risk is aggravated by the fact that the following are involved falls from a considerable height.
Before acting on a roof, the Work Center Owner, Promoter, Project Management, Contractor, etc., must demand and collaborate in the execution of a actual roof study and, on this basis, provide the appropriate information and means of protection to those involved, in compliance with current legislation.
The health and safety plans should take into account the following security measures relating to
Condition of the cover
It should be known if it is resistant, without deteriorated areas, etc.
If this is not the case, measures should be taken such as: placing walkways for transit over the same, reinforcing the area where the work is being carried out, placing vertical netting under the same, etc.
Existence of fixed stairway access (interior or exterior).
It must comply with the legislation, have a handrail, etc. If they are not available in the Work Center, adequate access must be provided (ladder type scaffolding), therefore, their placement, use, certification and revisions (when applicable), must be included in the PSS/ DGP/ EVE.
Collective Protections
If the roof does not have edge protection, collective protection must be installed on site or permanently. The latter can be used after completion of the work, for maintenance work, etc. The collective protections must be approved (nets, handrails, etc.). The assembly and maintenance procedure must also be detailed.
On roofs where the solar panel installations do not occupy their entire surface, only the perimeter of the work area can be protected, with safe access to it, signage, etc., informing workers that they must remain in this area, with access to other areas of the roof, etc., being prohibited.
If the roof has skylights, translucents, openings, etc., collective protections (metal grids, nets, signage, etc.) must be included.
Personal Protection System against falls from heights
This option will be used in addition to the collective protections when it has not been possible to completely eliminate the risk of a fall from height (breakage, translucent components).
Roof Tilt
If the roof has a slope of around 30º or is very slippery (due to ice, characteristics of the roofing material, etc.), the contractor will consider carrying out the work using rope access and positioning techniques (vertical work), provided that the work can be carried out safely using these techniques.
Material Stockpiling Area
The area where the material is to be stockpiled on the deck and how it is to be received from the deck must be determined and reflected, always eliminating the risk of falling from height and taking into account the maximum permissible load. The weight on the deck (of workers, equipment, materials, etc.) shall be calculated to avoid breakage of the deck, depending on its resistance..
Signage
The placement of safety signage must be indicated in the Health and Safety Plan (HSP), DGP/EVE.
Facilities
The existence of towers or power lines, installations, etc. on or near the roof must be taken into account and the necessary safety measures must be included in the PSS, DGP, EVE.
Coordination of Business Activities
CAE measures will also be included, when there is concurrence with other activities of the center. Organizational measures will be taken to avoid interference and security measures to avoid risks to third parties.
Meteorology
Measures to be applied in certain weather conditions such as ice, snow, rain, wind or excessive heat.
Emergencies
Actions in case of emergencies, evacuation and, in particular, a rescue method will be available in the event that a worker may fall from the deck - over the edge or through the deck - and be suspended by the harness.
Presence of the Preventive Resource
Appointed by the Contractor of the work.
Other Procedures
Access control procedure, company and worker documentation to be reviewed by the contractor before authorizing access to the site. It is important to provide information to workers (including the PSS), delivery of PPE (reviewed), training (adequate and sufficient), medical fitness and authorization to use work equipment.
The VII Construction Agreement and the Roofing Works
- To prevent falls during repair and maintenance work on roofs, antennas, lightning rods, installations, etc., the necessary protective measures shall be provided in each case, such as: ladders and safe access walkways between the different areas of the roof, technical walkways (transit walkways), perimeter parapets, anchored or counterweighted edge protection systems, collective protection systems to prevent falls through fragile elements (skylights, skylights), fall arrest systems, etc.
- The fall of workers to a different level shall be protected by means of collective protection equipment suitable for working on roofs.
- In addition, whenever necessary, these means shall be complemented with appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Measures shall be implemented to protect the worker, not only while on deck, but also during access to the deck.
- In the case of fragile roofs, prior to the start of work, the workers must be identified and informed of the fragile areas of the roof before accessing it. Likewise, work and transit areas shall be set up in such a way as to guarantee the resistance of the whole.
In addition to the legislation in force, the content of the INSST Technical Guide will be presented. "WORK ON DECK THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO GO DOWN ALIVE".
