Fragile Roof Materials

Work on fragile surfaces is extremely high risk as the surface can give way and a person can easily fall down to a lower level or the ground.

Fragile roof materials.

Often they can absorb water creating mold and the quality varies. Rooflights particularly those in the roof plane that can be. Roof lights and skylights. They should also be given a safe system of work and training about the safety system of work to be used.

Synthetic roofing materials are less fragile heavy or as expensive as natural roofing products. Concrete tiles are versatile and are less expensive than genuine clay but also have a heavy weight. In particular the following are likely to be fragile. Roof lights particularly those in the roof plane that can be difficult to see in certain light conditions or when hidden by paint.

Polycarbonate or plastic commonly used in skylights. Glass such as wired glass. Fragile materials present a risk to people installing the material doing subsequent maintenance and crossing the material to gain access to other parts of a structure or plant situated for instance on a roof. Where brittle and fragile roofing materials form part of a roof those accessing it should be informed this includes those carrying out construction work.

Fibre cement sheets non reinforced sheets irrespective of profile type. Clay and concrete tiles add texture and elegance to a roof. Genuine flat ribbed or scalloped clay tiles are extremely durable but also very heavy and must be installed by a professional. A significant rise in the number of fatalities involving working on roofs particularly involving fragile roof materials has prompted the health and safety authority to issue this safety alert to highlight the need for stringent health and safety procedures when carrying out this type of work.

Fragile roofs are typically found on factories and warehouses and can include. Access onto a fragile roof is often required for maintenance inspection cleaning or general repairs. Glass including wired glass. The following are likely to be fragile.

Roof slates and tiles. Clay and concrete tiles. Fiber cement roofs and fragile roof skylights are among the biggest causes of fall through incidents resulting in serious injuries or worse. Synthetic roofing products work well with almost all architectural styles.

Non reinforced fibre cement sheets. Old liner panels on built up sheeted roofs.