When a building is coming down, you might think installing new features like edge protection is a waste of time.
But guidance for demolition workers from the Health and Safety Executive reminds them that employee safety is a must in all instances, regardless of the work being carried out.
Falls from height are ranked first among the HSE’s concerns in the guidance, as “”during demolition and dismantling, workers can be injured falling from edges, through openings, fragile surfaces and partially demolished floors””.
Edge protection can prevent them from falling from the roof of a building, but there are also plenty of other solutions to the risks described.
Walkovers can span the weaker parts of a roof, helping to spread the load over a wider area and allowing the walkway to be secured to stronger parts of the building.
If the roof surface is uneven, or crisscrossed by pipework, walkovers can also put in a flat route for employees who may be carrying machinery or materials.
Finally, even where roof rails cannot be fitted, you can opt to use a man anchor instead to prevent falls of all kinds.