Fragile Surfaces

Fragile surfaces are materials that cannot support the weight of a person and any load they carry, causing a fall through.
Falls through fragile roofs are one of the most common causes of fatal falls from height in UK construction.
Common fragile materials include roof lights, fibre cement sheets, liner panels, corroded metal sheeting, and glass panels.
A surface that appears solid from above may be critically weakened by age, corrosion, UV damage, or impact.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that no one passes across or near a fragile surface without proper controls.
Warning signs and barriers must be placed at all access points to areas containing fragile surfaces.
Crawling boards, staging, or purpose-built platforms must be used to spread load when working on or near fragile roofs.
Safety nets installed below fragile surfaces provide collective fall protection if a person falls through despite other controls.
Existing buildings being refurbished may contain unknown fragile surfaces not identified in original construction drawings.
Many fragile surface fatalities involve experienced workers who believed the surface would take their weight.

Leading cause of fatal falls	Falls through fragile roofs kill more workers than almost any other type of fall from height — the surface gives way without warning.
Invisible danger	A roof that looks solid from above may be a single sheet of fibre cement that shatters under body weight.
Experience is no protection	Many victims of fragile roof falls were experienced workers who misjudged the strength of the material beneath their feet.

Do

Don't

Assume any roof surface is fragile until a competent person has confirmed otherwise.
Use crawling boards, staging, or platforms to spread your weight on fragile roofs.
Install safety nets below fragile surfaces to arrest falls if other controls fail.
Place warning signs and barriers at all access points to areas with fragile surfaces.
Follow the method statement and never deviate from the planned safe access route.
Cover or guard roof lights and fragile panels with fixed, clearly marked protection.
Inspect existing roofs for deterioration before carrying out maintenance or repair work.
Brief all workers on the location of fragile surfaces in their work area.
Use harness and lanyard systems where crawling boards or nets cannot be installed.
Report any cracking, flexing, or deterioration of roof surfaces to your supervisor.

DON'T walk on any roof surface unless it has been confirmed as non-fragile.
DON'T step on roof lights, liner panels, or fibre cement sheets under any circumstances.
DON'T work near fragile surfaces without safety nets or alternative fall protection below.
DON'T ignore warning signs or bypass barriers around fragile surface areas.
DON'T take shortcuts across roofs — always follow the designated safe access route.
DON'T remove or fail to replace fragile surface covers and guard protection.
DON'T assume an existing roof is safe because it was built recently.
DON'T allow anyone onto a roof without briefing them on fragile surface locations.
DON'T rely on harnesses alone — use collective protection wherever possible.
DON'T test a surface by stepping on it — fragile materials collapse instantly under load.

See also: Falls From Height Awareness | Roof Light & Skylight Protection

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