The Challenge
After reviewing the roof layout and gathering a clear understanding of how the maintenance team accesses and navigates the rooftop, height safety solutions that reduce the risk of a fall were needed.
The Solution
Skyline designed a modular aluminum roof access ladder that limited public access while providing a quick and easy installation, incorporating a non-penetrating roof guardrail system configuration to create a safe enclosure when working near the rooftop’s edge.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
BC Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation owned by the government and the people of British Columbia, Canada. It generates and delivers electricity to 95% of BC’s population and serves over five million people. That big responsibility demands a simple, straightforward mission and a vision guided by six values:
- We are safe.
- We are here for our customers.
- We act with integrity and respect.
- We are one team.
- We are forward-thinking.
- We include everyone.
With the industry often working at heights or in dangerous environments, it is no surprise that safety is one of BC Hydro’s six core values. When reviewing how the facility maintenance team can best manage the flow of personnel while climbing and navigating the rooftop, they reached out to the roof safety specialists at Skyline.
ELEVATED WORK: THE CHALLENGES
Skyline’s work commenced with a walkthrough of one of their sites, where a building’s rooftop required safe access. With the rooftop having various levels/elevations, multiple ladders were needed to reach each height safely. The primary ladder used to ascend was also available to the public from the ground floor, so ensuring that only those authorized to be on the rooftop gained access was critical.
Once on the rooftop, navigating the roof also posed a few challenges as you are required to navigate around the various RTU units. There would be no concern if these units, such as HVAC systems and ducts, were in the middle of the roof, far from the edge. However, with the need for personnel to work and walk around the units only a foot from the roof’s edge, the BC Hydro team was aware of British Columbia’s Occupational Safety Code requirements.
ELEVATED SAFETY: OUR SOLUTIONS
When it came to creating a safe climb, every time, Skyline recommended a modular aluminum access ladder incorporating a gate for the primary access ladder on the ground floor. The ladder gate ensured that only those who had the approval to access the roof or had an approved employee with them gained access to the rooftop.
The ladder design also included D grab bars to facilitate ascending and descending. When climbing from one rooftop to another, some ladders included a cage for added safety. Multiple ladders arrived in aluminum modular components for easy transportation and quick installation.
After reviewing the rooftop layout and where foot traffic is required to accomplish maintenance tasks, the team specified a non-penetrating steel galvanized guardrail system. The system was installed where passage or work would be close to the roof edge (within 6 feet), creating a safety barrier preventing a fall from dangerous heights. Including anchor points wasn’t an option as BC Hydro wanted to avoid a fall proactively rather than have a system in place for when one does fall.
The thickness of the material and robust construction caught the eye of the maintenance team, while the modularity of the solution and its capability to be easily fitted for installation on-site made life easy for the installers. With the solution being non-penetrating, no intrusions were made to the rooftop, reducing the risk of leaks or the need to repair the rooftop after installation. The modularity of the unit also means that the guardrail can expand and grow with the needs of the rooftop.
Finally, the design of the non-penetrating guardrail system considered the roof access ladder, creating a safe barrier as you approach the ladder to descend to the floor.
THE TRUSTED CHOICE: PROJECT OUTCOMES
The BC Hydro project successfully implemented comprehensive safety measures to address the unique challenges of rooftop access and navigation. By integrating modular aluminum access ladders with safety gates and non-penetrating guardrail systems, Skyline Group provided secure and efficient solutions that ensured only authorized personnel could access critical areas.
The installation of robust guardrails close to rooftop edges significantly minimized the risk of falls, enhancing overall safety for maintenance teams while adhering to British Columbia’s Occupational Safety Code. This strategic approach not only safeguarded workers but also maintained the integrity of the rooftop structure.
