Where access is needed onto a fragile roof to conduct essential repair work or routine maintenance tasks, it is necessary to take protective measures. While cable fall protection systems are essential, they cannot always avert the dangers of ‘FRAGILE’ areas of roof. Fortunately there is a way to minimise these risks.

Latchways WalkSafe® fall proof and rooflight covers have been designed for roofs with areas of weakness. They are particularly useful where in-plane rooflights are in place. The strength of these rooflights can deteriorate with time, so WalkSafe Fall Proof Covers or Rooflight Covers are needed to protect maintenance workers falling through.

This solution to the problem of rooflights can be used in conjunction with our patented WalkSafe walkways. More than half a million linear metres of WalkSafe have been installed since the product was introduced 35 years ago. It continues to be the market leader.

WalkSafe walkways, Fall Proof cover and Rooflight covers are easy to install. No training or specialist PPE is required to use the system; avoiding the potentially devastating consequences of human errors.

With complete effectiveness on both flat and pitched roofs, each fall proof and rooflight cover features a contrasting red strip to indicate the start of a fragile surface. This highlights the need for care and attention around these areas.

The details matter, because falls from height are the single biggest cause of fatalities in the workplace today (http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/statistics.htm). Health and safety legislation states thatworking at height must be avoided where possible, and that workers must not be exposed to unnecessary risks. Where it is not possible to entirely avoid the risk of falling, health and safety rules say a suitable fall protection system must be used. Making fragile areas of roof safe must be a priority for any organisation that requires people to work near them.

As well as supplying the perfect products for the job, our design team at Latchways can create a bespoke working at height plan for individual facilities. This ensures legislation is properly followed and accidents are prevented, while allowing people to get on with their job.