Risk analysis - Risk assessment

Damaged roof underlay

Installations that penetrate the roof may have been insufficiently fastened and tight and thus have resulted in leakage.

Water and moisture can have led to the tongue-in-groove board, or equivalent roof underlay, having been damaged and having lost its strength. This often leads to the roof being renovated and new attachments of safety devices being made, for example, in the fold mount.

Do random-sample tests of hidden attachments, for example, continuous bolted joints.

Screws and nuts at continuous attachments of roof safety devices can be difficult to inspect without unscrewing the attachment parts.

Do at least one random sample inspection per type of roof in order to see whether there is a tendency toward corrosion or other damaging affect on screws and nuts.

If the attachment is in good condition, it can be restored or substituted with another approved and suitable attachment. If it is in poor condition, all attachments must be replaced ut

Damaged or corroded parts must be repaired or replaced.

If portions of the roof safety devices or connections between those parts are corroded or damaged, they must be replaced. If there are minor damages to the surface layer that have not attacked the material itself (i.e., no pitting or deep-seated rust), they can be touched-up with paint.

Use approved ladders

Roof ladders that are only attached at the top or perhaps only hang over the ridge must not be walked upon. These must be replaced or attached in an appropriate manner. Consult an expert.

Roof ladders must be attached at the top and at the bottom in order to be used. Temporary attachments are not acceptable, for example, lashing wire, draglines with dragline locks around ventilation pipes, nails, rusty screws etc.

Fixed slipguards at the roof foot/roof edge for ground ladders can be inspected by hanging the ground ladder in the slipguard and loading it with one’s own body weight.

Load a little at a time so that one can observe whether or not the slipguard has a tendency to come loose. If it is possible to hang in the slipguard without it coming loose or being substantially deformed, it can be used to secure the ground ladder.

Façade ladders are inspected by anchoring an anchor line a little bit upward in the façade ladder and then carefully pulling it diagonally downward. Check to see if there is any bracket or strut sitting loose.

Do not use the handrail until you have checked the attachment. Check the attachment only once your have anchored yourself in an inspected roof ladder.