Unprotected Roof Edges

In some instances access is required to service plant or maintain the building fabric within 2 metres of an unprotected roof edge or hazardous area. The requirement for the installation of either a permanent edge barrier or a fall restraint system should be determined by using general risk assessment principles, the hierarchy of risk control dictates that the first consideration should always be a permanent fixed barrier.

Where it is not possible, impractical or unsuitable due to building restrictions to install a barrier system, fall restraint systems and personal protective equipment should be considered.

Unprotected Window Openings

Not all buildings facades can be cleaned using bespoke access equipment or from aerial platforms and generally most window cleaning is still undertaken by cleaning the glass from inside the building or from portable ladders.

Any facilities manager or duty holder that is found to be in neglect of their responsibilities i.e. ensuring that these tasks can be and are being undertaken safely, faces prosecution.

Where window cleaning or window maintenance is undertaken by opening the window and accessing the external surfaces of the window from inside, the person undertaking the task must be adequately restraint by an approved fall restraint device. The standard method employed is the installation of safety harness eyebolts adjacent to the window.

Safety Harness Eyebolts

Edge Protection Handrail Systems

Travsafe Restraint Systems