Roof Work Toolbox Talk
There are serious risks when working on a roof so it’s important proper safety measures are in place. Access this roof work toolbox talk below to identify hazards and plan a safe working environment. You can also learn about more TBTs and view and download 60+ others covering many topics in our online toolbox talk library.
Free roof working toolbox talk
Introduction
Roof work is inherently hazardous and results in a significant number of serious accidents every year. Don’t become a statistic.
Main points
- Is it necessary to actually go on the roof? Are there alternatives such as tower scaffolds or mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)?
- A risk assessment should be carried out for every roof to be worked on.
- Only suitably trained operatives should be permitted to work on roofs.
Discussion points
- A safe method of work must be agreed before any roof work commences.
- Consider methods of access/egress – these must be safe.
- Suitable and sufficient edge protection must be provided to prevent falls of both persons and materials (scaffolding and guard-rails) – physical protection!
- Hazard tape and rope can only be used where employees are not going to go within 2m of a leading edge or opening.
- Identify all openings and securely guard or cover them.
- Suitable crawling boards and roof ladders must be provided for sloping and/or fragile roofs (unless suitable battening is to be used).
- Where crawling boards are to be used for access/egress or used near leading edges/openings then guard rails, intermediate guard rails, and toe-boards must be fitted.
- Where it’s impractical to provide edge protection then safety harnesses must be worn and suitable anchor points utilised.
- Always consider the weather – wet, windy and/or icy conditions can seriously impact roof work.
- Consider how you’re going to get stores up (hoists) and waste down (rubbish chutes).
- Consider recovery procedures in the event of an accident, i.e. a person hanging from a safety line, getting a casualty down from the roof.
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