Reminder over hazards of fragile roofing materials

WorkSafe WA has issued a reminder to employers about the hazards of working on or near brittle or fragile roofing materials.

According to the WorkSafe WA Commissioner, Lex McCulloch, employers should ensure they always operate in accordance with the relevant regulations and code of practice.

For Western Australia, Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 have prescriptive requirements concerning working at heights, including identifying fall hazards such as brittle or fragile roofing materials.

“Where brittle or fragile roofing materials form any part of a roof, people accessing the roof need to be informed and be provided with a safe system of work along with instructions or training about the safe system of work to be used,” said McCulloch.

“Where construction work involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres, the main contractor must ensure that a Safe Work Method Statement is prepared before the work begins.

“In addition, the Code of Practice — Prevention of Falls at Workplaces has been in use in WA since 2004 and should be followed by anyone who has a duty to prevent falls at workplaces.”

McCulloch said that as well as providing examples of the types of roofing materials that could be brittle or fragile, the code also gives practical advice on safe systems of work that should be in place where brittle or fragile roofing materials are present.

“Employers need to be aware of all the laws involved when there is a fall risk at their workplace and ensure they have suitable safe work procedures in place,” he added.

For more information, go to www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Image credit: ©Lucaz80/Dollar Photo Club

Originally published here.