Working on a roof can pose dangers regardless of height. New Zealand’s statistics show that more than two-thirds of all falls occur from roofs or ladders. The regulation has been updated to reflect this trend.
Roof edge protection systems offer the best safety precautions. Australian scaffolds offer some helpful tips on how to make the most out of your edge protection.
Plan Ahead
You will need to have edge protection systems in place if you are working on roofs. It is important that you prepare for this before you start. Contact manufacturers and edge protection suppliers early to ensure you have the right equipment to complete your project on time.
Make Sure To Start Early
Edge protection is beneficial for everyone, including contractors, sub-contractors, and builders. It is easier to install edge protection quickly and make sure that everyone involved is safe, efficient, productive, and safe.
Correct Installation
Safety precautions are only as good as the way they are installed. To work properly, edge protection must be installed correctly. This is why it is so important to find a company offering easy-to install protection that can be used at different locations.
Not All Edge Protections Are Created Equal
You deserve the best for your workers when it comes to safety. You should choose a reputable company that understands safety requirements.
Australian scaffolds are proud to offer the highest quality roof edge protection systems.
Protection for All
Edge protection is essential for workers who have to climb up onto a roof. It could be builders, plumbers, or electricians.
Safety systems provide additional protection for people on the ground. The roof is secured by a barrier to protect clients, pedestrians, and ground workers against large objects of material that might otherwise fall on their heads. Australian scaffolds also offer a mesh screen solution, which is placed in front of the handrails. This protects the people on the ground against being hit with tools or other smaller materials.
Edge Protection Options for Class A, B, and C Roofs
The roofing edge protection protects against falls and is used most the often during construction of commercial and residential buildings. It usually consists of a guard rail, a primary guard rail, and a secondary intermediary rail. The Edge Protection Federation defines its purpose as “to prevent people and objects from falling to a lower elevation”. While there are many options for edge protection, certain regulations should be applied to different roof types.
Here are the most commonly used types.
Net Barriers
These fall arrest systems employ absorbing safety wires that offer fall arrest and high containment. They have a safety net that extends between secondary support posts, up to 10m apart, and meets the requirements.
Tubular Guardrails
These are fittings that provide edge protection. Because the scaffold can be mounted in many ways depending on the site conditions, tubes and fittings can offer a flexible solution. A tube & fittings edge protection must be designed, unlike the off-the-shelf systems. However, it’s possible to design an edge protector that can meet the requirements for a Class B, C, or A roof.
