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French Fry Production Plant Improves Roof Safety: A Case Study

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The Challenge

Rooftop workers, including facilities and maintenance teams needed a safer way to navigate various roof levels, requiring a system that integrated and installed on-site with ease by their preferred installer.

The Solution

A system made up of modular aluminum and galvanized steel components to create a safe means of accessing the rooftop and its various levels, ensuring a safe environment for facility maintenance teams and contractors to work freely while at height.

McCain Foods Carberry - Stair and Rail Install Pictures
McCain Foods Carberry - Stair and Rail Install Pictures
Rooftop safety installation featuring non-penetrating guardrails, access stairs, and walkway system near HVAC equipment on a flat gravel rooftop
Rooftop stair and guardrail system installed at McCain Foods Carberry facility, featuring aluminum access stairs, modular safety rails, and rooftop platforms for secure maintenance access.
McCain Foods Carberry - Stair and Rail Install Pictures

PROJECT OVERVIEW

McCain® was started by the McCain brothers in New Brunswick and is still proudly Canadian and family-owned. A homegrown Canadian success story, McCain now has 51 plants around the globe and produces one in every four French fries worldwide.

McCain Foods’ Canada Carberry facility is one of the company’s french fry production plants located in Manitoba. The plant processes about 430 million pounds of Manitoba-grown potatoes every year, mostly into french fries, with the facility employing over 200 workers.

With the company having a wealth of knowledge and experience in operating the production plant safely, there was a need for better understanding of the hazards that are present on their industrial rooftop. The facility maintenance team reached out to their roof safety specialists at Skyline Group to partner on elevating their fall protection safety program. With McCain Foods having experience in trusting our solutions on previous projects it was an easy decision to reach out for guidance on their Manitoba plant.

ELEVATED WORK: THE CHALLENGES

The facility maintenance team at McCain Foods routinely reviews their safety protocols, this time they were focused on improving safety on two fronts: (1) creating safe access between roof levels, while (2) ensuring a safe working environment for those maintaining RTUs and navigating the rooftop. The maintenance team was prepared to discuss roof safety options as they came to the table with pictures documenting the environment and areas of concern.

With roof repair and maintenance commencing, McCain Foods wanted a solution that would meet their strict deadlines to ensure that the safety solutions be put in place right after the roof repairs and upgrades were completed.

After an in-depth review of the site and roof layout, it was clear that the roof safety solutions had to solve the following hazards and safety concerns:

  • Outdoor Elements: With the rooftop being frequently visited year-round, the fall protection system needed to withstand the weather elements while providing maximum protection and grip when visibility is reduced by snow and rain.
  • Roof Edge Protection: Whenever teams are required to walk or work in proximity of the roof edge, approximately 6 feet, they are required to have some form of fall protection in order to protect workers from a potential fall. Due to the size of each roof section, workers at height constantly faced a risk of a fall.
  • Dedicated Pathway: How many times do workers at height think of taking a shortcut while working, to then realize it cost them more time? Navigating the roof can be similar in that workers will take the path that gets them to their destination the quickest – although it may not be the safest.
  • Roof Elevations: Having multiple roof elevations can be challenging and quite dangerous, as teams are climbing to new heights while already being at height. This makes it essential to find ways to ensure a safe climb, every time.
  • Replacing Non-Compliant Solutions: Ensuring compliance is crucial. At Skyline we feel that is where true safety begins – not ends. In order to gain access to the several rooftops, contractors were using a mix of DIY solutions, including contractor step ladders and extensions ladders, creating a fall concern as it is impossible to maintain three points of contact when utilizing such ad-hoc solutions.
  • Minimizing Roof Damage & Repair: When replacing a roof membrane or repairing a section of the roof, the last thing teams want to do is create new intrusions that need to be resealed on a brand-new roof. Such fixed solutions can also pose a roof warranty issue while yielding the building owner increased labour hours and costs.

It goes without saying that the solutions provided would be required to not only meet, but surpass Manitoba’s Occupational Safety Code requirements.

ELEVATED SAFETY: OUR SOLUTIONS

When it came to creating a safe climb, every time, Skyline recommended modular aluminum roof stairs that enable safe access to each elevation of the rooftop. The roof stairs added an extra layer of safety over a fixed access ladder.

With the added side rails, employees and contractors would now be able to walk to each level safely while still carrying tools and machine parts with them. This is opposed to a fixed access ladder that would have been less suitable for a high traffic rooftop. When climbing from one rooftop to another, the addition of non-penetrating guardrails also created an enclosed perimeter, removing the risk of a fall as teams would approach the edge of the rooftop.

After reviewing the rooftop layout and where foot traffic is required to accomplish maintenance tasks, the team specified a non-penetrating galvanized steel guardrail system to be used as a means of creating a safe perimeter near the edges of the rooftop.

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 McCain Foods wanted to avoid a fall proactively rather than have a system in place for when one does fall. The 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, eliminating 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 took into consideration the placement of the roof stairs, creating a safe barrier as you approach the steps to descend to the floor below.

THE TRUSTED CHOICE: PROJECT OUTCOMES

The comprehensive safety solution provided by Skyline Group to McCain Foods’ Manitoba facility has significantly enhanced the safety and efficiency of rooftop operations. By installing modular aluminum roof stairs and non-penetrating galvanized steel guardrails, Skyline Group addressed multiple challenges effectively:

  • Enhanced Access and Safety: The aluminum stairs provided secure, stable access across various roof levels, enabling workers to move safely with tools and equipment. This was a crucial improvement over previous ad-hoc ladder solutions that compromised safety.
  • Robust Perimeter Protection: The installation of guardrails created a solid barrier around roof edges, preventing falls from heights and increasing the overall safety for maintenance staff.
  • Non-Intrusive Installation: The non-penetrating nature of the installed systems preserved the integrity of the new roof membrane, avoiding potential leaks and warranty issues while minimizing the need for future repairs.
  • Compliance with Safety Regulations: The solutions not only met but exceeded Manitoba’s Occupational Safety Code requirements, ensuring that the facility’s safety measures were up-to-date and effective.
  • Operational Efficiency: The modularity of the safety installations facilitated quick on-site assembly, which aligned perfectly with the plant’s operational timelines and minimized disruption to their production processes.

This strategic intervention by Skyline Group has not only fortified the safety standards at McCain Foods but also fostered a culture of safety that resonates with the company’s commitment to protecting its workers and maintaining high operational efficiency.

A Culture of Safety at BC Hydro: A Case Study

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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:

  1. We are safe.
  2. We are here for our customers.
  3. We act with integrity and respect.
  4. We are one team.
  5. We are forward-thinking.
  6. 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.

SaskPower’s Rooftop Safety Journey: A Case Study

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The Challenge

Facility teams worked within 6 feet of a 10-foot or greater drop, facing significant fall hazards in their day to day work.

The Solution

A personalized package including walkway with an integrated guardrail system and a cage ladder to access the various sections of the rooftop, ensuring work area.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Established in 1929, SaskPower is Saskatchewan’s leading power supplier. They support Saskatchewan’s growth and work to enhance the quality of life for over half a million customers. They generate power using a variety of sources and operate one of Canada’s largest grids while also being connected to the grids in Manitoba, Alberta and North Dakota.

SaskPower operates on corporate values of safety, openness, collaboration and accountability. With safety being part of the organization’s DNA, ensuring employees think ‘safety first’ when completing a task is a must. Whether you’re maintaining the grid or maintaining rooftop units, safety is uncompromisable.

ELEVATED WORK: THE CHALLENGES

Having a clear understanding of where access to the roof is located is a critical component in roof edge awareness. You want to know prior to walking onto the roof if you will encounter any hazards, such as the edge of the rooftop being to your side once stepping on the roof.

Now that you know what the environment is like around the access points, how about the points of interest? Knowing where the critical points of interest are on the rooftop, like HVAC systems or solar panels, is vital. As a facility maintenance manager or building owner you want to ensure you have a safe way to navigate from the several roof access points to these points of interest. Ultimately, enabling you to apply fall protection measures and solutions to areas where there is a risk of a trip and/or fall.

Modular aluminum rooftop walkway system with integrated guardrails installed on a flat commercial rooftop, providing safe access around mechanical units in a high-rise urban environment.

For SaskPower, safety will always be paramount. Their team understood that at any time they were working within 6 feet of a 10-foot or greater drop, they were faced with a fall hazard. When reviewing the layout of the roof it was clear that a safety plan would be required to ensure a safe means of navigating the rooftop.

ELEVATED SAFETY: OUR SOLUTIONS

In partnership with the roofing contractor and SaskPower, our team of safety specialists designed a solution that includes a walkway with an integrated guardrail system and a cage ladder to access the various sections of the rooftop. The combination of these systems created a solution that ensured safe access and a safe working environment while on the rooftop.

The non-penetrating aluminum walkway system ensured a means of having secure footing while navigating the rooftop, with the integrated guardrail system creating an enclosed barrier. This barrier not only serves as a means of increasing stability while walking, but also creates an enclosure ensuring a guided pathway. With a number of rooftop units, the walkway system was designed to ensure safe travels when close to the edge of the roof. It also allowed easier and quicker access to certain sections of the roof.

The rugged and grippy surface ensured secure footing year-round. Allowing for the snow to melt with ease through the grates. Being a lightweight modular aluminum system, installing the system on-site was easier and quicker than a welded steel solution. Being a non-penetrating system, using self-ballasted base plates provided further cost savings as repairs to the roof weren’t needed.

While on the roof there was a requirement to access elevated parts of the rooftop for maintenance purposes. When designing such a fixed access ladder, it is critical to design it in a manner where if a fall were to occur it would be controlled and away from the edge of the roof. Ultimately, preventing a secondary fall from the main rooftop. Cage ladders were specified and installed to increase safety while ascending and descending from the elevated space.

The lightweight aluminum modular ladders made it easy to transport and customize on-site while offering the user increased safety with the cage attachment and grippy rungs.

20221019_071709

THE TRUSTED CHOICE: PROJECT OUTCOMES

Our expertise and inventory of solutions combined to facilitate the highest levels of safety for SaskPower. A holistic approach establish a secure and reliable network environment on a rooftop that otherwise presented a number of fall and other safety hazards to facilities and maintenance teams.

Through the implementation of a walkway with an integrated walkway system, caged ladders underpinned by a gripped surface, workers at height could access and traverse the roof in a way that was both safe and efficient.

These successful outcomes were all delivered within a quick installation window, significantly reducing labor and transport costs. The result? A cost-effective, functional and durable rooftop that puts safety first.

High-Slope Rooftop Safety Solution: A Case Study

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The Challenge

A high-slope rooftop created an elevated working environment fraught with risk, with facility maintenance teams facing a number of fall hazards.

The Solution

A comprehensive package of safety solutions including a walkway with guardrail system, a hatch guardrail system and a fixed ladder.

Project Overview 

The safety experts at Skyline Group were contacted by the facility maintenance manager and roofing contractor, working on behalf of the building owner. The roofing contractor highlighted the challenges presented by the steep sloped roof. The layout of this rooftop created a working environment fraught with risk, with a sloped design making the safe navigation of the rooftop difficult for the building owner, facility maintenance teams and contractors alike.

man standing on Texas rooftop

Elevated Work: The Challenges

For workers employed by the building owner and facility maintenance team, attempting to access and work on this sloped rooftop brought to light a series of hazards that could potentially result in a fall.

The primary safety concern in this project was in how workers had no secure footing on a sloped part of the roof, nor access to a levelled platform. In this scenario, the inclined rooftop not only creates an environment where the worker has a higher chance of tripping or falling; it also makes it extremely difficult for that worker to conduct the work at-hand.

This sloped rooftop presented inherent safety risks not just to workers at height, such as contractors and facility maintenance teams: it also compromised the safety of those outside at ground level. This was because the incline made it difficult for workers to position tools and other equipment securely. This created a scenario where those tools could roll or fall off the roof, with potentially fatal consequences if actions were not to be taken.

Finally, when walking on this sloped rooftop, facility maintenance teams and contractors had no means of secure access, especially with the slippery roof material making it a significant challenge to gain secure footing.

man on rooftop ladder on Texas rooftop

Elevated Safety: Our Solutions

Following extensive consultations and in partnership with the roofing contractor and building owner, our team of height safety and fall protection experts got to work on specifying a comprehensive package of safety solutions including a walkway with a guardrail system, a hatch guardrail system and a fixed ladder. By providing a combination of these safety essentials, Skyline Group ensured secure access and a working environment where the risk to those workers was now minimized.

Firstly, the walkway system ensured a means of having secure footing while navigating the rooftop, with the integrated guardrail system creating an enclosed barrier. This barrier not only served as a means of increasing stability while walking for workers at height, but also created an enclosure ensuring that they take the guided pathway.

Aside from that, our next focus was on addressing the lack of safety for workers while climbing out of the rooftop hatch. By recommending and implementing a custom hatch barrier solution with a gate, our team ensured a safe means of stepping out of the hatch, with the gate closing automatically behind the worker. This negated a significant safety hazard, where an open hatch could create a fall hazard with a dangerous opening where an employee could fall through.

Finally, our implementation of a fixed access ladder provided safe access to other rooftops via a dedicated hatch. With each rooftop having anchor points, we ensured that the walkway and ladder system led workers to a safe anchor point where a barrier system wasn’t possible.

Across all areas of this project, our client saw significant advantages in the modularity of the safety solutions we provided. Their lightweight aluminum construction caught the attention of the roofing contractor as it would make for an easy and quick installation.

installed rooftop safety solution. walkways, guardrails

The Trusted Choice: Project Outcomes

The outcome of this project saw height safety transformed for our client. Our comprehensive approach established a secure and dependable work environment on a challenging sloped rooftop.

Through the implementation of a walkway system with integrated guardrails, a custom hatch barrier solution, and a fixed access ladder, we significantly minimized risk factors for workers at height. This not only ensured their safety but also enhanced operational efficiency on the rooftop.

The lightweight, modular design of our solutions facilitated a swift installation, reducing labor and transport costs, thereby offering our client a cost-effective, durable, and highly functional safety system.

Count On It: What Our Customer Said 

“This project had a lot to consider. We were grateful to have the support of the Skyline team, helping with designing and providing a safety solution that checked all our requirements.”

Roof Hatch Safety – Walmart Reviews Rooftops Across Canada

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The Challenge

If a roof hatch is left open while service/maintenance is being conducted, it creates an unprotected opening. Creating a fall hazard.

The Solution

Generally, a fall greater than 3 meters where the hazard cannot be eliminated requires some form of fall protection, like a guardrail to protect workers from a fall hazard.

Walmart is one of Canada’s largest employers. And it is continually growing, by adding more services, including online shopping at Walmart.ca, home delivery, and pickup at stores, with many more locations on the horizon. Every day, the company works with more than 2,100 Canadian suppliers. Safety for customers, staff, and third-party vendors is paramount. This safety-driven culture led Walmart to schedule a site visit with a roofing consultant to better understand how to create a safer working environment on their rooftops.

Roof Hatch Safety: The Fall Hazard

Hatches for industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) buildings can pose a fall hazard because they provide access to the roof, most likely greater than 3 meters from the ground. An unexpected fall to the ground from the rooftop can be life-threatening. If the hatch is left open while service/maintenance is being conducted, it creates an unprotected opening. Thus, a fall through the hatch from the rooftop can be just as dangerous as a fall from the roof’s edge, as the floor below the hatch opening can be quite far from the rooftop. When navigating the rooftop, workers may be distracted and not realize that the roof hatch behind them has been left open. This proves true when working on a large project where multiple people are visiting or working on the roof.

Furthermore, the area around the hatch may not be adequately marked or protected, which can increase the risk of someone accidentally stepping into the opening or losing their balance while working near the hatch opening. This risk is particularly heightened when workers must access the roof frequently or in areas with high foot traffic as the chances of a hatch door being left open are higher.

It’s important to note that the Ontario Building Code – Industrial Establishments requires employers to provide fall protection for workers working at heights of 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) above a lower level. This can include using guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, or other appropriate measures to prevent falls. So, how tall is your fixed hatch ladder? And do you have a safety solution to prevent a fall-related injury?

Roof Hatch Safety: Minimizing The Risk of a Fall Near a Roof Hatch

Generally, a fall greater than 3 meters where the hazard cannot be eliminated requires some form of fall protection, like a guardrail to protect the worker from danger. In addition, to minimize the risk of a misstep and a potential fall through the roof hatch, it is essential to:

  1. Review and assess where the hatch is installed on the roof. Surprisingly, hatches are often installed on an exterior wall, making the climb out of the hatch onto the roof hazardous as you may be near the roof’s edge.
  2. Ensure the hatch is installed correctly.
  3. Review the hatch’s ability to close and open easily.
  4. Verify that the hatch and connected ladder has remained intact and secured to the roof/wall.
  5. Additionally, facility maintenance teams and 3rd party workers should be trained to identify hazards associated with rooftop hatches and instructed on how to go about using the appropriate fall protection solutions.

Roof Hatch Safety: Barrier Solution Provides a Safe & Compliant Rooftop

With the help of a local roofing consultant, Walmart selected and specified the Skyline 5004 HatchBarrier solution with the addition of hatch grab bars. The galvanized steel hatch guardrail system provides a safe perimeter when roof workers and maintenance staff are on the roof with the hatch door open. The addition of hatch grab bars added an extra layer of safety, ensuring three points of contact when climbing the hatch ladder and stepping onto the roof. From an installation standpoint, everything about Skyline Group’s hatch barrier solution provided a quick and easy installation. In addition, its modular design allowed for easy and fast transport to the roof while making it possible to fasten the barrier to any roof hatch size.

On this rooftop, due to the hatch opening being placed near the roof’s edge, both Walmart and the consultant wanted to minimize concerns of a fall occurring due to a misstep while exiting the hatch onto the rooftop. As a result, the team also installed a non-penetrating safety rail of 10 feet in length, creating a protective barrier between the hatch and the rooftop’s edge. This would ensure that year-round, the proximity of the hatch to the edge of the rooftop would not pose any danger. With the safety rail being non-penetrating, the installation was quick and easy, with no repairs required to the roof membrane, as the safety rail was stabilized with weighted base plates.

Public School Creates a Safe Roof Environment Meeting Ontario TSSA Safety Requirements

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The Challenge

TSSA gas technician to raise a concern that the units were located on a sloped surface that would make it difficult to ensure a safe working environment.

The Solution

The rooftop safety solution consisted of a walkway with guardrail and platform system starting at the roof hatch, up the slope of the building, down the roof to three RTUs (HVAC systems).

Huron Centennial Public School

The Avon Maitland District School Board is a full-service, public, English school district in southwestern Ontario, bordering Lake Huron and covering some of the most productive agricultural lands in Canada. It covers the counties of Huron and Perth, with over 160,000 people calling the Avon Maitland District their home. Huron Centennial Public School is one of the schools in this district and is located on 30-plus acres of property in rural Ontario. It is a kind, caring, and compassionate school community with a dedicated, supportive, and professional staff. Their unique natural setting allows students many opportunities to extend their learning outdoors. They have grown to 16 classrooms, including three full-day learning classrooms with teacher/early childhood educator teams.

A Visit from the Ontario TSSA

With the interior of the building undergoing renovations, there was a requirement to update the rooftop units (RTUs). This update to the rooftop units yielded a TSSA gas technician to raise a concern that the units were located on a sloped surface that would make it difficult to ensure a safe working environment. TSSA then notified the consultant that a leveled walkway system to the rooftop units, including handrails and guardrails as well as steps to traverse the slope, would suffice in creating safe access to the RTUs, while creating a compliant working environment.
  • That a permanent guardrail solution will be designed, built, and installed to meet the requirements of section 14 of Ontario Regulation 851 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • The method of securing the guardrail assembly to the building.
  • The design details of the guardrail layout.
  • The drawings are also required to show:
    • A plan/view of the roof.
    • The location of the appliances, appliance panels, new guardrails, or barriers on the roof.
    • That the distance from any open end of the guardrail to the gas-fired HVAC system will be a minimum of 6 feet from the roof’s edge, and that the service clearances are maintained year-round with safe passage.
With the commercial rooftop having a steep slope with no standing seam, Huron Centennial was looking for a team of height safety experts to review their rooftop and conduct a rooftop safety audit, providing a safety solution that surpasses TSSA’s safety requirements.

Solution: Customized Rooftop Guardrail & Walkway System

After discussing the project with their current safety supplier and the potential solution with TSSA, Huron Centennial started searching for a safety partner that would have the design specifications and safety experience to meet their needs. The facility maintenance team at Huron Centennial selected our design and modular solution based on the following;
  • Skyline Group’s extensive experience with meeting and surpassing TSSA’s safety requirements.
  • Quick turnaround on providing a solution that includes engineered stamped drawings, in order to schedule maintenance ASAP with TSSA.
  • Modular solution, making customizing the guardrail and walkway system to meet their needs easy, with no increased lead times.
  • All products, and any customization, is available locally in Perth Ontario. Ensuring a quick turnaround from order to delivery.
  • While the system’s modular design made this custom solution possible, it also drastically reduced the installation time and labor costs. Reducing the required budget for this project.
  • With the solution being manufactured in lightweight aluminum, transporting the material to the roof was quick and easy.
  • Finally, our experience and reputation working with various Canadian school boards made us the preferred vendor.
The rooftop safety solution consisted of a walkway with guardrail and platform system starting at the roof hatch, up the slope of the building, down the roof to three RTUs (HVAC systems). This custom solution created a safe year-round path to and from the rooftop units, with the platforms also providing a safe working environment, away from any potential fall hazard.

Reaching New Heights with a Modular Aluminum Access Ladder

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The Challenge

When 3rd party contractors and maintenance teams were looking to access the roof section that houses the school’s gym, easy and safe access to that elevated section wasn’t available.

The Solution

Skyline Group reviewed the building designs and recommended a modular aluminum roof access ladder to ensure a safe and compliant climb to the rooftop.

Montreal High School Takes Safety to New Heights

Visitors who walk through the doors of Louis-Joseph-Papineau high school, located in the Saint-Michel district of Montreal, quickly notice the warm and friendly atmosphere. At Louis-Joseph-Papineau, students are expected to devote themselves to their studies and participate in various committees and  extracurricular activities. Therefore, the school constantly seeks to adapt to the needs and expectations of students by offering them stimulating learning tools.

Various Elevations in Roof Design

Like many rooftops, the Louis-Joseph-Papineau high school has multiple elevations in their design/layout. When 3rd party contractors and maintenance teams were looking to access the roof section that houses the school’s gym, easy and safe access to that elevated section wasn’t available. The roofing contractor, who had previously worked with Skyline Group on various projects, inquired about our line of aluminum roof access ladders.

Safe Roof Access with an Aluminum modular Ladder

The height safety specialists at Skyline Group reviewed the building designs and recommended a modular aluminum roof access ladder to ensure a safe and compliant climb to the rooftop. The specified solution met both the contractor’s and the school’s requirements.

  • Surpassed both national and local safety standards and regulations.
  • Its aluminum structure and modular design made installation quick and easy.
  • The aluminum material ensured that the ladder would remain looking new for years to come. In addition, unlike a steel ladder, an aluminum ladder doesn’t require maintenance to ensure its coating remains intact. Contemplating selecting an aluminum roof access ladder versus a steel roof access ladder?
  • The ladder platform adds a layer of safety when stepping off the ladder, with the guardrails creating a safe perimeter to ensure a firm footing.
  • The ladder and its components were stocked in our Ontario warehouse, making a quick turnaround possible. In addition, with the ladder and its components being manufactured in aluminum, there was no need to delay the delivery to have the ladder coated or painted with a protective layer.

A Customized Catwalk Provides Safe Access to Rooftop Units

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The Challenge

The facility maintenance team and property owner wanted to ensure a safe means of navigating to and around the newly added rooftop units.

The Solution

This non-penetrating walkway solution checked all the boxes, a catwalk that was easy to install, safe year-round and compliant with local and national safety codes.

Hamilton General Hospital

Founded in 1848, Hamilton General Hospital (HGH) was the first hospital in Hamilton. Along with providing general medical care to the community, it is home to a number of Hamilton Health Sciences’ key regional referral programs, including burns, cardiac catheterization, cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, endovascular treatment, extracorporeal life support (ECMO), neurosurgery, stroke, trauma and vascular surgery.  It is also home to programs that provide specialized care to our HNHBB residents: cardiology, neurology and spine. In addition to providing leading-edge care, HGH is strongly connected to its neighbourhood and supports outreach activities aimed towards enhancing the quality of life in the surrounding community.

Roof Safety Never Sleeps

The Hamilton General Hospital has one busy rooftop, with improvements to the roof and RTU’s (rooftop units) occurring on a routine basis. Safety never sleeps on this rooftop, and the maintenance team is always looking for solutions to help minimize and eliminate the risk of a slip or fall. Slips and falls are dangerous, and when they occur on a rooftop, they can be fatal. The facility maintenance team and property owner wanted to ensure a safe means of navigating to and around the newly added rooftop units. 

Why Select a Non-Penetrating Roof Catwalk System

After visiting the site with the general contractor and installer, Hamilton General Hospital selected Skyline Group’s non-penetrating aluminum roof catwalk system. This non-penetrating walkway solution checked all the boxes, a catwalk that was easy to install, safe year-round and compliant with local and national safety codes.

  • The modular system allowed for flexibility in designing the walkway solution while ensuring it can easily expand with the needs of HGH’s growing rooftop.
  • The design allowed for a quick and easy installation, reducing labour requirements.
  • The aluminum material made for a lightweight solution, eliminating any load-bearing concerns.
  • With the catwalk being manufactured in aluminum, the system would remain looking brand new, while also keeping its integrity throughout the year. Unlike a steel solution, Skyline Group’s aluminum catwalk systems require little to no maintenance, with no need to have the aluminum coated with a protective layer every year.
  • The plug-and-play process ensured that the roof would require no repairs after installation. With the system being non-penetrating, the installers were not required to reseal and repair the membrane as no screws were used to fasten the unit to the roof. Keeping the warranty and integrity of the roof intact.

Skyline Group’s experience and reputation in building high-quality non-penetrating roof walkway solutions played an important role in being selected for this roof catwalk project.

Commercial Building Looking For Interior Access to The Rooftop

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The Challenge

Utilizing a portable step ladder or extension ladder to climb through the hatch is simply not a long-term solution, or safe means of gaining access to the rooftop. It is important to ensure the user can maintain three points of contact throughout their climb, ensuring a safe and compliant working environment.

The Solution

For this roof safety project, the site’s small footprint made a standard fixed hatch ladder the clear option. After reviewing modular and fully welded steel options, the property manager selected the Skyline 7001 series hatch ladder system.

Gaining Interior Access to the Rooftop

The architect designing this commercial building in Montreal attended one of our complimentary lunch and learn sessions. The main objective of their learning session was to review common hazards in climbing to a sloped rooftop.

Contractors and building personnel requiring access to the rooftop are using a portable step ladder or extension ladder to climb through the roof hatch from the top floor. The architect and building owners wanted to create a safe and compliant means of accessing the roof via the hatch opening. There is a fixed outdoor caged wall ladder on the side of the building, although this solution wasn’t always an option during the winter months, as it would pose a potential fall risk. 

Why Install an Interior Roof Hatch Ladder

Installing a roof access hatch with a fixed ladder allows contractors and maintenance personnel easy access to the roof of the building. Ultimately, eliminating the safety risks that come with climbing an exterior wall ladder. Unlike outdoor roof access ladders, interior hatch ladders require little to no maintenance, while maintaining 24/7 restricted access to the rooftop.

Primarily utilizing a portable ladder to climb through the hatch is not a long-term solution, as it would result in personnel not maintaining three points of contact throughout their climb. It was also a dangerous solution, posing a fall risk when climbing up the portable ladder and stepping off it with equipment in hand.

Why Select a Modular Aluminum Hatch Ladder on Your Next Roof Access Project

For this roof safety project, the site’s small footprint made a standard fixed hatch ladder the clear option.

After reviewing modular and fully welded steel options, the property manager selected the Skyline 7001 series hatch ladder system. Both steel and aluminum hatch ladders would be compliant and offer safe access to the rooftop, although Skyline Group’s aluminum modular hatch ladders provided more than just roof safety compliance.

  • Its design allowed for flexibility, making it easy to install stiles in order to help in climbing out of the hatch onto the rooftop. These extensions/stiles extend past the roof hatch door, ensuring three points of contact and a handle to grab onto while stepping off the last step of the fixed hatch ladder onto the rooftop.
  • When compared to a welded or steel option, the aluminum ladder was easy to transport to the top floor and rooftop.
  • An easy and quick installation helped in reducing labour costs and overall budget requirements.
  • The serrated rungs ensure a safe climb every time.
  • Its aluminum finish keeps the ladder looking new, as it is located in an area that will receive a lot of employee foot traffic. In addition, unlike steel ladders, no maintenance is required over time to keep the aluminum ladder looking new. 

Looking to understand how you can ensure safe rooftop access? Connect with our team of safety specialists today to learn more about the hazards that are present on your rooftop.

Large Flat Commercial Rooftop Introduces a Roofline System

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The Challenge

With the rooftop having multiple RTUs (rooftop units), the facility maintenance team wanted to install a solution that would help warn roof workers that they are approaching a hazard.

The Solution

After we conducted a virtual tour of their rooftop, our roof safety specialists recommended a RoofLine system. It is a free-standing roof delineator system to be used as a bumpline or warning line on a roof where access is required; however, close access to the roof edge is not a must.

Large Flat Commercial Rooftop Introduces a Roofline System

Companies like Amazon and IKEA are building and operating some of the largest warehouses to support the needs of consumers. As a result, we are seeing some of the largest commercial flat roofs being built, with the square footage of these rooftops getting larger every year. No matter the size, working on a roof is dangerous and poses a fall risk. We sometimes think that the larger rooftops are less dangerous as you have more space to conduct maintenance, but that’s not entirely true. It’s not the size of the flat commercial roof but where you are working in proximity to the edge of it that dictates how dangerous it is. With larger roofs you might also discover areas where personnel aren’t allowed access without approval, hence requiring a warning line system directing them away from the unauthorized area. During the winter months, hazards can also become invisible, such roof hazards include skylights or the edge of the roof not being visible due to the snow and ice overhanging a foot out from the edge.
Large commercial flat-roof warehouse with multiple loading docks and a glass-front office section, viewed from across a road with bare trees in the foreground.

Roof Hazard Review

For this commercial building, it all started with a roof safety and hazard review. With the rooftop having multiple RTUs (rooftop units), the facility maintenance team wanted to install a solution that would help warn roof workers that they are approaching a hazard. Ultimately, creating a safety perimeter on their roof to help ensure roof workers remain on the recommended walkway. If a roof worker were approved to go beyond the perimeter to maintain an RTU, then they would have been protected by a nearby fixed guardrail. This warning solution would also have to be visible during the winter months when most of the roof and its hazards are covered in snow.

Creating A Safe Perimeter with a RoofLine System

After we conducted a virtual tour of their rooftop, our roof safety specialists recommended a RoofLine system. It is a free-standing roof delineator system to be used as a bumpline or warning line on a roof where access is required; however, close access to the roof edge is not a must. The system keeps subcontractors from getting too close to the roof edge, essentially creating a visibly safe perimeter on your rooftop. Doing so can also avoid the requirement to install a permanent guardrail at the edge of the roof, making the RoofLine a cost-effective safety measure. With the warehouse expanding to meet the growing needs of its customers, it was also crucial that the system be modular. Making it quick and easy to expand their roof safety program.
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