[Bryan_Dolby]

Hi All

Safe Access and Egress to a flat roof

Following continued enquiries from members who feel they are losing out to other companies that continue to practice unsafe methods to clean windows
Paul Thrupp executive council Member & representative on the HSE Cleaning Industry Liaison Forum (CILF) asked Simon Brownlee of the HSE for the HSE ruling and guidance on the safe access and egress to a flat roof; and HSE responded with the view as given to us previously:
‘Where a leaning ladder is being used to access another level (e.g. a flat roof) it should be long enough so that it extends sufficiently (at least a metre) beyond the landing point to provide a handhold, unless other measures have been taken to provide a firm (secure) handhold.  The flat roof also needs to be safe. I.e. measures are taken where necessary to prevent falls from or through the roof.
Leaning ladders used as a means of access should be tied.  Where tying is not possible alternative access equipment should be used.  Where it is not reasonably practicable to tie a leaning ladder or use other equipment, then as a last resort the leaning ladder stiles could be wedged (eg against a wall or a heavy static weight).  Each situation would need to be assessed on its merits.’
"I would like to stress that ladders should only be used where working from the ground can be shown to be not reasonably practicable, i.e. the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of use." 
Simon Brownlee - Policy Advisor / Environmental Health Officer

My way

Laddermate at the bottom or footed
Microlight on the top on flat roof

Still goes down to risk assessment
Bryan

[TomCrowther]

Thanks Bryan.

[p1w1]

Brilliant post Brian, thanks..

[Dave Willis]

Makes sense to me.

[simonr]

i do a pub where i have to climb a ladder & walk on a flat roof & all while wearing my backpack  i'd love to know how many 'rules' i'm breaking  not that i'm gonna stop but the whole h&s is getting boring, it may be useful to those that employ, but does no one have any common sense anymore

[Tom White]

Microlight on the top on flat roof

What's a Microlight?  (Okay, I know it's a small aircraft; but that doesn't seem to be in context with the post).

[martinw]

microlite is a standoff    link http://www.ladderstore.com/microlite-stand-off.html

[Tom White]

Cheers. 

[Nameless Drudge]

These literally grab the flat roof,

http://www.ladder-safe.co.uk/,

And clip off the ladder in about 10 secs if you need to remove them.

[trevor perry]

Hi All

Safe Access and Egress to a flat roof

Following continued enquiries from members who feel they are losing out to other companies that continue to practice unsafe methods to clean windows
Paul Thrupp executive council Member & representative on the HSE Cleaning Industry Liaison Forum (CILF) asked Simon Brownlee of the HSE for the HSE ruling and guidance on the safe access and egress to a flat roof; and HSE responded with the view as given to us previously:
‘Where a leaning ladder is being used to access another level (e.g. a flat roof) it should be long enough so that it extends sufficiently (at least a metre) beyond the landing point to provide a handhold, unless other measures have been taken to provide a firm (secure) handhold.  The flat roof also needs to be safe. I.e. measures are taken where necessary to prevent falls from or through the roof.
Leaning ladders used as a means of access should be tied.  Where tying is not possible alternative access equipment should be used.  Where it is not reasonably practicable to tie a leaning ladder or use other equipment, then as a last resort the leaning ladder stiles could be wedged (eg against a wall or a heavy static weight).  Each situation would need to be assessed on its merits.’
"I would like to stress that ladders should only be used where working from the ground can be shown to be not reasonably practicable, i.e. the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of use."  
Simon Brownlee - Policy Advisor / Environmental Health Officer

My way

Laddermate at the bottom or footed
Microlight on the top on flat roof

Still goes down to risk assessment
Bryan

thankyou Bryan this is more or less what i posted on a thread about flat roofs on the 19th of nov

[formb]

 

[Window Washers]

i do a pub where i have to climb a ladder & walk on a flat roof & all while wearing my backpack  i'd love to know how many 'rules' i'm breaking  not that i'm gonna stop but the whole h&s is getting boring, it may be useful to those that employ, but does no one have any common sense anymore

wearing a backpack full of water is madness more so if it is a cheap imported one from China as the claspes can and do break. We seem not to be able to have common sence thats why were in the EU 

[andyM]

These literally grab the flat roof,
http://www.ladder-safe.co.uk/,

And clip off the ladder in about 10 secs if you need to remove them.

Can you explain this more please.
I use a standoff occassionally for certain jobs but not come across one that grabs the flat roof.
How is this one in the link different?
If it's better than the one I currently use I will buy one.

[Bryan_Dolby]

Hi Trev

Totall agree
But this one is from the HSE Simon Brownlee

Done alot of work with the HSE over the years,Andy Lee & myself took the two men from the top of HSE out and showed them how to gain access to flat roofs
They were more than happy

I call it working in the real world

Bryan

[Dave Willis]

Are window cleaners a soft target for hse?
Only when I'm out and about I see guys up to the gable ends drilling away, builders on flat roofs, builders with no helmets, building work with no cordoned areas, painters up ladders, gutters being fitted from ladders and so on. I come home and everyone on here is paranoid about health and safety. I even found a painter and decorators forum and trawled through pages of drivel - not one mention of ladders or health and safety 

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

Good post, common sense then as we thought.

The word "should" is used many times though, "should" we or "must" we? that must be where the said common sense comes in then?

We can rest safe in the knowledge that the Impact43 police aren't coming to nick us then!! :