Working on fragile roofs is one of those tasks that can look straightforward but carry serious risks. Across UK workplaces, falls through fragile roof sheets and rooflights continue to cause life-changing injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.
For organisations that look after commercial buildings, educational premises, industrial sites or older properties, roof work must never be treated as routine. It needs to be properly planned, risk assessed and controlled before anyone goes near a fragile surface.
Legal Requirements
Employers have a clear legal duty to protect employees, contractors, visitors and anyone else who may be affected by work carried out on their premises. When roof work is planned, this duty starts before anyone accesses the roof. Organisations should make sure the work is necessary, properly risk assessed, appropriately supervised and carried out by competent people using suitable equipment.
Case Study
In a recent HSE prosecution, a business owner was sentenced after a worker suffered life-changing injuries while replacing skylights on a farm outbuilding. The worker fell through a fragile rooflight and several metres to the floor below. He was airlifted to hospital and required multiple operations, including treatment for serious lung injuries, a broken collarbone and numerous fractures.
HSE's investigation found that the worker had been instructed to walk across a fragile roof surface without suitable precautions in place. No crawling boards, safety netting or other measures had been provided to prevent a fall through the roof.
This case demonstrates how quickly a routine maintenance task can turn into a life-changing event when suitable controls are not implemented.
What Is a Fragile Roof?
A fragile roof is any roof surface or structure that may not safely support a person’s weight. These surfaces can give way without warning, particularly if they are old, weathered or not designed to be walked on.
Examples include:
- Rooflights and skylights.
- Asbestos cement sheets.
- Fibre cement roofing panels.
- Corroded or weathered metal roofing sheets.
- Deteriorated roof structures.
- Hidden openings and fragile coverings.
One of the biggest dangers is that fragile materials often look solid. Rooflights, in particular, can be difficult to spot once they are dirty, weathered or covered in dust, which is why they must be identified before work starts.
Falls Through the Roof - The most significant risk is a worker falling through a fragile roof sheet or rooflight, often resulting in serious injury or death.
Falls from Roof Edges - Workers can fall from unprotected roof perimeters during maintenance or construction activities.
Falling Objects - Tools, equipment and materials can fall from height, creating dangers for anyone below.
Unsafe Access Arrangements - Inappropriate ladders, roof access routes or work equipment can increase the likelihood of an accident.
Weather Conditions - Rain, wind, frost and ice can significantly increase the risks associated with roof work.
How to Control the Risks
Before any roof work begins, employers should take time to plan the job properly and make sure the right controls are in place. This should include:
- A suitable and sufficient risk assessment has been completed.
- Fragile surfaces have been identified and clearly communicated.
- Roof access is avoided wherever possible.
- Collective protection measures, such as safety netting, guardrails, scaffolding and working platforms, are installed where required.
- Crawling boards or roof ladders are used where appropriate.
- Workers are suitably trained and supervised.
- Emergency rescue procedures are established.
- Weather conditions are monitored and assessed
Summary
Fragile roofs remain a serious workplace hazard and falls through rooflights or weakened roof surfaces can have devastating consequences. A recent HSE prosecution showed what can happen when this risk is not properly managed. A worker suffered life-changing injuries after falling through a fragile roof during skylight replacement work. The employer had not provided basic safeguards such as crawling boards or safety netting and was prosecuted for breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
It is vital that employers, identify fragile surfaces in advance and put suitable controls in place before anyone starts work. This includes avoiding roof access where possible, using collective protection such as guardrails and safety netting, making sure workers are competent and supervised, and checking whether weather conditions could make the work more dangerous.
Managing fragile roof work properly is not just about avoiding enforcement action, fines or compensation claims. It is about preventing serious harm and protecting the people who carry out this work, as well as the families, colleagues and organisations affected when things go wrong.
