Roof work is one of the most hazardous activities in any workplace. Falls from roofs are the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the UK, yet most incidents are preventable with proper planning, equipment, and safety measures.
When did you last assess roof work safety?
Roof work requires comprehensive risk assessment
Why roof work is so dangerous
Roof work combines multiple serious hazards:
- Unprotected edges — easy to fall from roof perimeters
- Fragile materials — rooflights, old sheets, and corroded surfaces can give way without warning
- Slopes and pitches — even slight angles increase slip and slide risks
- Weather exposure — wind, rain, ice, and heat affect both safety and surface conditions
- Access difficulties — getting onto and off roofs safely
- Limited visibility — edges and fragile surfaces may not be obvious
- Infrequent access — unfamiliarity increases risk
Falls from roofs account for around 50 deaths and over 1,000 serious injuries each year in the UK. Most victims fell through fragile materials or from unprotected edges. Almost all were preventable.
Legal requirements
Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations require you to:
1. Avoid work at height where possible
- Can roof access be eliminated? (remote monitoring, ground-level controls)
- Can equipment be relocated to ground level for maintenance?
- Can drone inspections replace physical access?
2. Prevent falls through collective protection
- Edge protection and guardrails (preferred)
- Safety nets or airbags
- Working platforms with barriers
- Covered or protected fragile surfaces
3. Minimize fall distance and consequences
- Fall arrest systems (harnesses) only when collective protection isn't practicable
- Must include rescue plan
- Requires specialist training
4. Properly plan, supervise, and use competent persons
- Written plan for complex roof work
- Risk assessment before access
- Competent supervision
- Trained workers
You cannot simply decide to use harnesses because they're cheaper or quicker than installing edge protection. The hierarchy is legally binding — you must use the highest level of protection that is reasonably practicable.
HSG33: Health and safety in roof work
HSE's guidance document HSG33 is the definitive reference for roof work safety in the UK.
Key requirements:
- Survey roofs before access to identify fragile materials
- Mark or protect all fragile areas
- Provide edge protection on flat roofs
- Use scaffolding or safety nets for pitched roof work
- Never rely solely on personal fall protection for routine work
- Emergency rescue procedures must be in place
Maintenance contractor falls 8 metres through rooflight
An HVAC engineer was called to a flat roof to inspect air conditioning units. He stepped backwards while taking photos and fell through an unmarked plastic rooflight that had become brittle with age.
- ✗No pre-access survey to identify fragile surfaces
- ✗Rooflights not marked or protected
- ✗No risk assessment for roof access
- ✗No edge protection or barriers
- ✗Working alone with no supervision
- ✗Assumed the roof was solid throughout
Worker fell 8 metres onto a warehouse floor below, suffering severe head injuries, fractured spine, and broken legs. Off work for over a year. Employer prosecuted and fined £100,000 plus costs. HSE prohibition notice issued preventing roof access until proper controls installed.
Never assume roof surfaces are safe to walk on. Always survey roofs before access, identify and protect fragile areas, and provide proper edge protection. Rooflights are a leading cause of falls through roofs — they must be clearly marked or covered.
Key roof work hazards
1. Falls from roof edges
The risk:
- Flat roofs often have no edge protection
- Edges may not be obvious, especially in poor light
- Easy to approach edge while focused on work
- Wind can cause loss of balance near edges
Controls required:
- Permanent edge protection if roof is accessed regularly (monthly or more)
- Temporary guardrails for occasional work
- Barriers or warning lines at minimum 2 metres from edge (not adequate alone)
- Safety nets positioned below edge if guardrails not practicable
- Safe access routes marked and kept clear
Edge protection specifications:
- Top guardrail: 950mm-1150mm above surface
- Intermediate rail: midway between top and toe board
- Toe board: minimum 150mm high
- Maximum gap between toe board and intermediate rail: 470mm
- Strong enough to prevent a person falling through or over
2. Fragile surfaces
Common fragile materials:
- Plastic or glass rooflights (especially aged/brittle)
- Asbestos cement sheets (also health hazard)
- Metal liner panels in composite roofing
- Corroded or deteriorated metal sheets
- Chipboard or plywood that has rotted
- Individual roof slates or tiles without boarding underneath
- Wire-reinforced glass
Why they're dangerous:
- May look solid but cannot support a person's weight
- Deteriorate over time — what was safe years ago may not be now
- Often painted over or covered, making them hard to identify
- Can give way suddenly without warning
- May be hidden under roofing felt or paint
Under CDM Regulations, building owners should maintain information about fragile roof materials and make this available to contractors. If you own a building with a roof, identify fragile materials now and mark them clearly.
Controls for fragile surfaces:
Level 1: Avoid access
- Use drones or cameras for inspections
- Install ground-level controls for roof equipment
- Relocate equipment away from fragile areas
Level 2: Prevent falls through collective protection
- Platforms or staging — work from underneath or alongside fragile areas
- Covered walkways — install permanent walkways over fragile areas
- Safety nets — positioned to catch falls through fragile materials
- Protective covering — cover fragile materials with load-bearing boards
Level 3: Minimize fall consequences
- Crawling boards — distribute weight across multiple supports
- Roof ladders — for pitched roofs with fragile coverings
- Fall arrest — only as last resort, with rescue plan
Never assume a roof surface is safe to walk on. Always conduct a desktop survey and visual inspection before allowing roof access. Mark all fragile areas clearly, and ensure workers know where they can and cannot walk.
3. Weather conditions
Weather significantly affects roof work safety.
High winds:
- Can cause loss of balance, especially near edges
- Increases risk of materials being blown around
- Makes ladder access dangerous
- Affects stability of temporary structures
Recommendation: Do not work on roofs if wind speed exceeds 20mph (Force 5) or gusts are unpredictable.
Rain and wet surfaces:
- Dramatically reduces slip resistance
- Makes surfaces treacherous
- Reduces visibility
- Increases risk of slips near edges
- Water can hide fragile surfaces
Recommendation: Avoid roof work during rain or when surfaces are wet. Allow time for surfaces to dry completely.
Ice and frost:
- Makes roofs extremely slippery
- Frost may not be visible on dark surfaces
- Can persist in shaded areas long after sunrise
- Dramatically increases slip risk
Recommendation: No roof work when ice or frost is present. Inspect surfaces before starting work.
Heat and sun:
- Surfaces can become dangerously hot (burns risk)
- Heat exhaustion and dehydration
- Glare reduces visibility of hazards
- Some materials (bitumen) soften in heat
Recommendation: Plan work for cooler parts of the day, ensure adequate hydration, and protect against sun exposure.
Flat Roof vs Pitched Roof Safety
Flat Roof Hazards
- •Unprotected edges (primary risk)
- •Fragile rooflights and openings
- •Hidden changes in level
- •Water pooling creates slip risk
- •False sense of security
- •Often accessed without proper planning
Pitched Roof Hazards
- •Slope increases slide and fall risk
- •Fragile tiles, slates, and sheets
- •Limited stable working positions
- •Higher exposure to weather
- •Difficult access and egress
- •Greater fall distance potential
Bottom line: Both roof types require comprehensive planning and protection. Flat roofs need edge protection; pitched roofs typically require scaffolding, safety nets, or working platforms. Never underestimate flat roof risks.
Planning roof work
Pre-access survey
Before anyone accesses a roof, conduct a survey to identify:
Structural information:
- Roof type and construction
- Load-bearing capacity
- Fragile materials locations
- Roof lights and openings
- Changes in level
Hazard identification:
- Edge locations and heights
- Fragile surface areas
- Access points and routes
- Weather exposure
- Nearby power lines or obstacles
- Adjacent fall hazards (internal voids, skylights)
Access requirements:
- How will workers reach the roof safely?
- What equipment is needed on the roof?
- Emergency egress routes
- Materials handling method
Risk assessment
Your risk assessment must address:
Who could be harmed:
- Workers on the roof
- Workers below
- Other building occupants
- Passersby (if materials could fall)
Hazards identified:
- Falls from edges
- Falls through fragile materials
- Slips and trips on roof surface
- Materials falling from height
- Access and egress hazards
- Weather conditions
- Structural collapse or overloading
Controls implemented (following hierarchy):
- Work at height avoided where possible
- Collective protection (edge protection, nets, platforms)
- Minimizing fall distance (only if collective protection not practicable)
- Emergency arrangements
Review arrangements:
- When work activity changes
- After incidents or near misses
- Periodically (at least annually)
- When new information about roof condition emerges
Flat roof safety
Flat roofs are common for maintenance access but present serious fall risks.
Edge protection requirements
For regular access (monthly or more frequent):
- Permanent edge protection should be installed
- Fixed guardrail systems around entire perimeter
- Self-closing gates at access points
- Designed to withstand weather and remain effective
- Inspected regularly (quarterly minimum)
For occasional access:
- Temporary guardrails must be installed before work starts
- Free-standing weighted systems or scaffold edge protection
- Must meet same height and strength requirements as permanent
- Installed by competent persons
- Removed only when work complete and area secured
Never acceptable:
- Barrier tape or warning lines alone
- Traffic cones or rope lines
- Relying on workers to "stay away from edges"
- Using fall arrest harnesses instead of edge protection (unless genuinely not practicable)
Rooflight protection
Rooflights are a leading cause of fatal falls through roofs.
Protection methods:
1. Permanent covers or grilles (best for regular access)
- Load-bearing covers installed over rooflights
- Grilles or mesh that prevents falls but allows light
- Fixed in place, cannot be removed without tools
- Clearly marked or colored for visibility
2. Temporary covers
- Strong barriers placed over rooflights before work
- Must be secured (not just placed on top)
- Clearly marked "FRAGILE ROOF LIGHT BENEATH"
- Removed only when work complete
3. Exclusion zones
- Barriers erected around rooflights
- Minimum 2 metres exclusion distance
- Clearly marked safe routes for workers
- Suitable only for small numbers of rooflights
4. Safety nets
- Positioned beneath rooflights inside building
- Catches falls through fragile materials
- Must be properly installed and tested
- Combined with marking of rooflight locations above
Never paint over rooflights or allow them to be obscured by roofing felt or coating. They must remain identifiable from above so workers know where fragile areas are located.
Safe access to flat roofs
Suitable access methods:
- Internal staircases (preferred for regular access)
- External stairs with handrails
- Scaffolding with safe access platforms
- Tower scaffolds with internal ladder access
- Fixed vertical ladders with fall protection (for occasional access by trained personnel)
Not suitable for regular access:
- Portable ladders
- Climbing through windows or hatches
- Roof ladders on pitched surfaces to reach flat areas
Creating safe working zones
For complex flat roofs, establish:
Designated walkways:
- Marked routes from access point to work areas
- Avoid fragile surfaces and openings
- Non-slip surface if possible
- Illuminated for poor light conditions
Safe work zones:
- Areas where work will take place
- Edge protection installed
- Fragile surfaces protected
- Equipment storage areas
Exclusion zones:
- Areas with unprotected fragile materials
- Edges without protection
- Overloading risk areas
- Clearly marked with barriers
Pitched roof safety
Pitched roofs are inherently more dangerous due to slopes and typically require more substantial protective measures.
Scaffolding with edge protection
The preferred method for pitched roof work:
Scaffold platform at eaves level:
- Provides edge protection along roof perimeter
- Safe working platform for lower roof areas
- Material storage and handling area
- Safe access to roof surface
Advantages:
- Collective protection for all workers
- Stable working platform
- Can work with both hands free
- Suitable for extended work periods
- Emergency egress route
Requirements:
- Erected by CISRS-trained scaffolders
- Design suitable for loads and roof type
- Inspected before use and weekly thereafter
- Tagged with inspection status
- Weather-protected if needed
Safety nets for pitched roofs
When scaffolding is not practicable, safety nets may be appropriate.
Net positioning:
- Maximum 2 metre drop from work area to net (Type S nets)
- Positioned to catch falls before hitting ground or obstacles
- Extended beyond work area
- Clear space below nets
Installation:
- By specialist trained contractors
- Tested after installation
- Inspected weekly minimum
- Secured to structural members
Limitations:
- Requires suitable fixing points on building structure
- Installation is specialist work
- Regular inspection needed
- Not suitable for all roof types
Roof ladders and crawling boards
For short-duration work on pitched roofs with fragile surfaces.
Roof ladders:
- Spread load across multiple roof supports
- Hook over ridge of roof
- Allow safe access up and down pitched surfaces
- Must be secured, not just hooked over
Crawling boards:
- Wide boards that distribute weight
- Prevent concentrated loads on fragile materials
- Multiple boards may be needed to create safe working area
- Must be secured to prevent slipping
When appropriate:
- Very short-duration work (minutes, not hours)
- Light work only (inspection, minor repairs)
- Surfaces unable to support direct foot traffic
- Combined with other fall protection (scaffolding or nets)
Not appropriate:
- Extended work periods
- Carrying heavy materials or equipment
- Work requiring both hands free
- Sole means of fall protection
Construction company invests in scaffold — eliminates roof fall risks
A roofing contractor was planning a 3-week slate roof replacement on a domestic property. Initial plan was to use harnesses and roof ladders to minimize cost.
Zero incidents during 3-week project. Workers reported feeling safer and more productive. Work quality improved due to stable working platform. Client satisfaction increased. Project completed on time despite extra setup cost. Scaffolding investment was recovered through improved efficiency and worker retention.
Following the hierarchy of controls isn't just about compliance — it's good for business. Workers perform better when they feel safe, and proper controls reduce incident risk, insurance costs, and reputational damage.
Personal fall protection for roof work
Personal fall protection (harnesses) should only be used when collective protection is genuinely not practicable.
When harnesses may be acceptable
Very limited circumstances:
- Emergency repairs where scaffolding installation time creates greater risk
- Very short duration work (minutes) where fixed protection cannot be installed
- Specialist work (steeplejacks, rope access professionals)
- In combination with collective protection for extra security
You must demonstrate:
- Why collective protection is not reasonably practicable
- Why the work cannot be done another way
- That workers are fully trained in harness use
- A rescue plan is in place and tested
Harness systems for roof work
Components required:
- Full-body harness (CE marked, in date)
- Suitable anchor point (permanent or temporary, rated for fall arrest)
- Connecting device (lanyard or self-retracting lifeline)
- Shock absorber to reduce fall arrest forces
Anchor points:
Permanent roof anchors:
- Fixed to structural members
- Load tested and certified (minimum 15kN per person)
- Inspected every 6-12 months by competent person
- Clearly marked with ID number and test date
- Maintenance records available
Temporary anchors:
- Portable deadweight anchors, beam clamps, or tripods
- Must still be rated for fall arrest loads
- Positioned to prevent swing falls
- Installed by trained personnel
Fall distance calculations
Critical for roof work — ensure adequate clearance below.
Calculate free fall distance:
- Length of lanyard
- Worker height
- Shock absorber deployment distance (typically 1.2m)
- Safety margin (1m minimum)
Example:
- 2m lanyard + 1.8m worker height + 1.2m shock absorber + 1m margin = 6m clearance needed
If working on a roof 8 metres high with a 2-metre lanyard, you need 6 metres clearance below the anchor point. If the roof is only 4 metres high, this system is NOT suitable.
Many roof work falls result in serious injury even when harnesses are worn because fall distances were not calculated correctly. The worker hits the ground or an obstruction before the system fully arrests the fall.
Rescue planning
Mandatory if using fall arrest equipment:
Your rescue plan must include:
- How you will reach a suspended worker (rescue equipment, access methods)
- Who will perform the rescue (trained personnel on-site or call-out service)
- How quickly rescue can be achieved (aim for less than 10 minutes)
- Communication method if worker falls (radios, phones, alarm systems)
- First aid arrangements for rescued workers
- Emergency service access (especially for roof locations)
Suspension trauma:
- Occurs when person is suspended vertically in harness
- Blood pools in legs, reducing supply to brain and vital organs
- Can cause unconsciousness in 20 minutes
- Can be fatal if not rescued quickly
- Rescued persons need immediate medical assessment
Practice rescue drills:
- At least annually
- Before starting roof work with new team members
- Document drills and lessons learned
Competence and training
Basic roof work awareness (all personnel)
Must understand:
- Hazards of roof work (falls, fragile surfaces, weather)
- The hierarchy of fall protection
- Never accessing roofs without authorization and planning
- Identifying and reporting defects in edge protection or surfaces
- When to stop work due to unsafe conditions
Roof work training (workers)
Must be competent in:
- Identifying fragile roof materials
- Using edge protection and safe working zones correctly
- Pre-use equipment inspection
- Weather condition assessment
- Emergency procedures
- Specific equipment training (harnesses, ladders, crawling boards)
Training should include:
- Classroom theory
- Practical hands-on training
- Supervised initial work
- Refresher training every 2-3 years
- Documented training records
Specialist training
Scaffolders: CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) card
Safety net installers: Specialist training from net manufacturers or industry bodies
Harness and fall arrest: Comprehensive training including rescue procedures
Roof work supervisors: Must understand risk assessment, hierarchy of controls, equipment suitability, and emergency procedures
Competence is not just training — it's training plus experience plus knowledge. Don't ask inexperienced workers to perform or supervise roof work, even if they've attended a training course.
Inspection and maintenance
Daily pre-work inspections
Before starting work each day:
Edge protection:
- All guardrails, toe boards, and barriers in place
- No obvious damage or missing components
- Secure fixings (especially temporary systems)
- Gates and access points functioning correctly
Fragile surface protection:
- Covers in place and secured
- Markings visible and clear
- Barriers around exclusion zones intact
- Warning signs present
Access equipment:
- Ladders, scaffolds, or platforms inspected
- No damage or deterioration
- Secure and stable
- Weather conditions suitable for use
Weather check:
- Wind speed acceptable (under 20mph)
- No rain, ice, or frost
- Forecast suitable for duration of work
- Visibility adequate
Periodic formal inspections
Scaffolding: Every 7 days and after adverse weather by competent person
Permanent edge protection: Quarterly inspection, documented
Roof anchor points: 6-12 monthly inspection and load testing
Safety nets: Weekly inspection by competent person, documented
Fall arrest equipment: 3-6 monthly detailed inspection, plus before each use
Roof Safety Equipment Inspection Schedule
Edge protection, fragile surface marking, weather conditions
Full scaffold inspection by competent person (required by regulations)
Check net condition, fixings, and clear space below
Detailed inspection of fixed guardrail systems
Load test and certify roof anchor points by specialist
Check all roof safety systems after high winds or heavy snow
Common roof work failures
Understanding what goes wrong helps prevent incidents.
1. No pre-access survey
The mistake: Assuming roof is safe without checking
What happens:
- Workers step on fragile rooflights
- Fall through corroded or deteriorated sheets
- Surprised by unprotected edges
- Discover hazards when it's too late
Prevention:
- Always survey before access
- Identify fragile materials from building records
- Visual inspection from safe vantage point
- Document findings and brief workers
2. Inadequate edge protection
The mistake: Using barriers that don't meet standards or relying on harnesses
What happens:
- Workers approach edges believing they're protected
- Inadequate barriers fail when leaned on
- Harness anchor points fail or rescue not possible
- Falls from edges despite "protection" being present
Prevention:
- Install proper guardrail systems meeting height and strength requirements
- Don't rely on warning lines or tape
- Use collective protection (guardrails) not personal protection (harnesses) wherever practicable
3. Weather misjudgment
The mistake: Starting work when conditions are marginal or deteriorate during work
What happens:
- Surfaces become slippery from unexpected rain
- Wind causes loss of balance
- Workers rush to finish before weather worsens
- Visibility reduces, hazards become harder to see
Prevention:
- Check forecast, not just current conditions
- Have clear weather limits (wind speed, temperature)
- Stop work if conditions deteriorate
- Don't resume until surfaces dry completely
4. Using ladders for roof access
The mistake: Treating ladders as suitable access for regular or extended roof work
What happens:
- Falls from ladders during ascent or descent
- Carrying materials up ladders
- Fatigue from repeated ladder climbing
- Ladder slips or moves
Prevention:
- Ladders only for very short, light, infrequent access
- Use stairs, scaffolding, or tower access for regular roof work
- Material hoists for equipment and materials
- Fixed access systems for roofs accessed monthly or more
HSE guidance states that ladders are only suitable for short-duration roof access (less than 30 minutes) involving light work. For regular access or extended work, proper access equipment like stairs or scaffolding platforms is required.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The frequency of access doesn't remove the requirement for edge protection. For infrequent access, you can use temporary guardrail systems that are installed before each access period, but you must have edge protection meeting regulatory standards whenever work takes place.
No. You must follow the hierarchy of controls. Collective protection (edge protection) must be used unless you can demonstrate it is not reasonably practicable. Cost alone is not a valid reason to substitute harnesses for edge protection. HSE actively prosecutes companies that choose harnesses for cost or convenience.
Conduct a desktop survey using building records, previous survey reports, and building age. Common fragile materials include rooflights (plastic/glass), asbestos cement sheets, metal liner panels, and old corroded sheets. If you cannot confirm materials are safe, assume they are fragile and provide appropriate protection.
Do not work on roofs when: wind speed exceeds 20mph or gusts are unpredictable; surfaces are wet, icy, or frosty; visibility is poor; thunderstorms are forecast; or extreme temperatures (heat or cold) create health risks. Always check weather before starting and stop if conditions deteriorate.
No. Barrier tape and cones are warning markers only — they are not adequate edge protection. Proper edge protection must physically prevent someone from falling over or through it. You need guardrails meeting specific height and strength requirements.
Type S nets are for catching people who fall (small mesh, positioned close to work area, maximum 2m drop). Type T nets are for catching debris and materials (larger mesh). Type T nets are NOT suitable as the sole means of fall protection for people.
Yes, it's legally required. Suspension trauma can cause unconsciousness within 20 minutes and death within hours. You must have trained rescue personnel, rescue equipment, and practiced procedures to rescue a suspended worker within 10 minutes.
Every 6-12 months by a competent person. Testing should include visual inspection and load testing where practicable. Test certificates should be maintained and anchor points clearly marked with ID and test date. Also inspect before each use by workers.
No. As the building owner/occupier, you must ensure contractors have proper information about roof hazards, fragile materials, and access requirements. Contractors must not access roofs without your knowledge, proper planning, and confirmation that required safety measures are in place.
Both have responsibilities. Building owners must provide information about roof construction and fragile materials. Contractors must plan work properly, provide appropriate equipment, and follow the hierarchy of controls. Under CDM 2015, both parties have duties to cooperate and coordinate safety measures.
Next steps
If you have roof work activities, start by assessing your current safety measures against the hierarchy of controls:
Working at Height Risk Assessment Tool →
Review whether your roof has fragile materials and ensure they're identified and protected:
Fragile Roof Survey Checklist →
If you're planning roof work and unsure about safety requirements:
Need expert advice on roof work safety? A qualified health and safety consultant can survey your roof, identify hazards, and recommend appropriate fall protection measures to ensure compliance with Work at Height Regulations.
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