HSE Release Guidance on Fragile Roof Work

Filon's Fixsafe provides the solution to the HSE's new guidance document. Accessing dangerous fragile roofs for rooflight replacement is no longer necessary. A new document by the Health & Safety Executive, “Fragile Roofs – Safe Working Practices” has just been published and explains that falls through fragile roofs and fragile rooflights account for a fifth of all fatal accidents which result from a fall from height in the construction industry. Deaths caused by falls through fragile surfaces occur mainly to those working in the building maintenance sector when carrying out small, short-term maintenance and cleaning jobs. On average 7 people are killed each year after falling through a fragile roof or fragile rooflight. Many others suffer permanent disabling injury. These accidents usually occur on roofs of factories, warehouses and farm buildings when roof repair work or cleaning is being carried out. The HSE document is available for free download from www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis5.htm and advises roof sheet and rooflight replacement to be carried out from beneath. Fixsafe is the only system available to provide the HSE preferred safe method of installation. Filon’s innovative, patented Fixsafe system allows the safe replacement of rooflights or roof sheets from inside the building. This incredible system completely removes the need for accessing the fragile roofs associated with old asbestos (and many metal) sheets found on industrial, storage and agricultural buildings across the country. With all of the work being carried out from within the building using a scaffold tower, cherry picker or scissor lift, no other access equipment is required. Gone is the need for costly edge protection; crawler boards are no longer necessary and expensive internal safety nets are also now surplus to requirements. So, not only is Fixsafe the safest method for rooflight replacement, it makes very sound economical sense too. If you want to do it safely, this is the most cost effective way! Unlike regular profiled GRP rooflight purchases, Fixsafe is a total replacement system which includes the rooflight sheet in a very safe and strong, double reinforced 2.6kg/m2 SAA1 fire grade sheet. It is supplied with all necessary patented fasteners, butyl strip mastic and all other materials required to complete the installation. Roofers need to purchase no other materials to carry out the replacement works. http://www.filon.co.uk/news/11/61/HSE-Release-Guidance-on-Fragile-Roof-Work/