Pitched Roof Tiling and Slating Safety
Building & Structural Works › General › Pitched Roof Tiling and Slating Safety
Pitched Roof Tiling and Slating Safety
Pitched roof tiling and slating is one of the most hazardous activities in house building and refurbishment. Workers operate on sloping surfaces at height, handling heavy materials with limited fall protection. Falls from pitched roofs are a leading cause of death in the UK construction industry. This talk covers the essential controls for safe tiling and slating on pitched roofs.
- Install edge protection to all eaves, verges, and gable ends before roof work begins.
- Use roof ladders or crawling boards to distribute weight and provide a secure working platform.
- Hoist materials to roof level mechanically using a tile hoist or crane, not manually up ladders.
- Establish exclusion zones below all roof edges to protect workers from falling objects.
- Wear a harness and lanyard connected to a rated anchor where edge protection is incomplete.
- Check batten condition and fixing before loading tiles to prevent batten failure under weight.
- Stop work during rain, frost, or high wind that makes the roof surface dangerously slippery.
- Brief all operatives on the work at height risk assessment and rescue plan before starting.
- Ensure all roof workers are trained and competent for the specific type of roof system.
If a worker falls from a pitched roof, call 999 immediately. Do not move the casualty unless they are in immediate further danger. Keep them warm and monitor breathing until paramedics arrive. Preserve the scene for investigation.
- Edge protection must be installed at all eaves, verges, and gables before any roof work starts
- Use a tile hoist or crane to lift materials to roof level, never carry packs up ladders
- Wear a harness connected to a rated anchor wherever edge protection is incomplete
- Stop work immediately during rain, frost, or high wind that makes the roof slippery
- Establish exclusion zones below all roof edges to protect workers from falling tiles
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