Roof work and fragile roof checklist

Site: ______________________ Date: ____________ Checked by: ______________________

01Before anyone goes up

Roof material, age and past repairs checked with the owner or drawings.
Fragile areas such as skylights and old sheets identified by a competent person and marked on the plan.
Possible asbestos sheets flagged and handled by a competent asbestos contractor.
Risk assessment and safe work procedure cover this roof and this task.
Option to work from below or from a MEWP considered and recorded.
Roof dry and no lightning or strong wind forecast for the work period.
Rescue plan agreed, and a second person will be present at all times.

02Access

Access scaffold or tower in place where the work starts, with guard-rails.
Gap between scaffold and roof edge 300 mm or less.
Ladder tied and extending at least 1 metre above the landing.
Roof access controlled so only briefed workers can go up.

03Fragile surfaces

Prominent warning notices at every approach to a fragile surface. WSH (Work at Heights) Regs, reg 17(3)
Skylights and fragile sheets covered or guarded where people work or pass. WSH (Work at Heights) Regs, reg 17(2)
Crawl boards or staging span the supports, run ridge to eaves and are fixed with ridge hooks.
Safety nets fitted close under the work where people could fall through.

04Edges and openings

Guard-rails on open edges, top rail at least 1 metre, gaps no more than 600 mm.
Every opening covered with a fixed cover marked HOLE or COVER, or guarded.
Covers rated for at least twice the expected load and bearing on all edges.

05Harnesses and anchors

Secure anchorage provided where a fall of more than 2 metres is possible, and used. WSH (Work at Heights) Regs, reg 16
Anchors and lifelines inspected by a competent person at the start of the shift. WSH (Work at Heights) Regs, reg 12
No travel restraint used as the only protection on a fragile roof.
Fall clearance below checked for the lanyard or retractable block in use.

06Materials

Roof structure checked before materials are stacked on it.
Materials lifted into place, not carried up ladders, and kept back from edges.

Legal requirement

Under the WSH (Work at Heights) Regulations 2013, anyone liable to fall more than 2 metres off or through a roof must have protection against sliding or falling and secure anchorage, and must use them (reg 16). Fragile surfaces must be avoided where reasonably practicable, supported or covered where they cannot, and signed at the approach (reg 17). Breaches can bring a fine of up to $50,000, up to 2 years in jail, or both (reg 31).

Sources and further reading

Workplace Safety and Health (Work at Heights) Regulations 2013, Singapore Statutes Online (AGC).
WSH Guidelines: Working Safely on Roofs (revised 2013), WSH Council.
Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights, WSH Council.

This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.

Roof work and fragile roof checklist

01Before anyone goes up

02Access

03Fragile surfaces

04Edges and openings

05Harnesses and anchors

06Materials

Sources and further reading

Related reading

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