As a property manager or commercial building owner, you will be no stranger to the concept of load handling and the many risks it can present. Indeed, these risks are amplified significantly when being carried out on elevated workspaces, including rooftops. This learning resource will explore the key risks associated with rooftop load handling, with comprehensive advice on ensuring that all partners are protected.
Rooftop load handling involves the transportation and manipulation of heavy and bulky materials, tools and equipment. The risks here are intensified by a number of factors, ranging from the height of the workspace to weather conditions and the increased potential for slippery or uneven surfaces. Below we have listed just some of health and safety risks associated with rooftop load handling:
- Slips, trips & falls: Slips, trips and falls are already the most common cause of workplace injuries and deaths, with approximately 20 people dying from these incidents every year in Ontario alone. Carrying loads at heights significantly increases these risks, especially during adverse weather conditions such as rain, ice or snow. Beyond that, navigating around ducts, vents, solar panels and other RTUs present slip, trip and fall risks of their own.
- Falling loads: Workers at height aren’t the only people at risk due to rooftop load handling. Unsecured loads can easily slip, roll or fall off rooftops, posing a potentially fatal risk to workers below. This risk is increased further where mechanical devices are being used to hoist materials to the roof.
- Wind hazards: Strong winds can destabilize workers carrying large or lightweight objects, making it difficult to maintain balance or secure the load. This can lead to accidents or cause the load to fall, risking injury to workers or damage to equipment.
The risks associated with rooftop load handling are clear. As a building manager or owner, protecting people carrying out these duties isn’t just the right thing to do: it’s a legal imperative as mandated by the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Act. But how can you go beyond basic compliance measures to truly protect those people who rely on the safety of your rooftop? We get into the details in the next section of this blog.
Three Best Practices for Load Handling on Rooftops
To mitigate the risks associated with rooftop load handling, it is imperative that you implement strict safety measures. Following the best practices below can significantly reduce the likelihood of safety incidents, ensuring a more secure working environment for all parties.
- Use safety walkways and platforms: Rooftop walkways and crossover bridges provide workers with stable surfaces to walk on, reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. These walkways should be made from anti-slip materials to ensure stability, even in adverse weather conditions. Skyline Group provides aluminum and paver walkways that facilitate safe movement across rooftops. These walkways are designed with anti-slip surfaces and can be customized to fit different rooftop layouts, ensuring workers have a clear, stable path when handling loads.
- Install guardrails and barriers: Installing guardrails and barriers along the edges of rooftops is essential for preventing falls. These safety solutions create a physical barrier between workers and the roof’s edge, ensuring that even if someone loses balance or drops a load, they won’t fall off the roof. Skyline Group offers fixed and non-penetrating guardrails that can be installed around rooftop perimeters. These guardrails are particularly useful in areas where workers frequently move heavy materials or equipment close to the roof’s edge.
- Secure loads with lanyards and tie-off points: When working at height, it’s crucial to secure all tools, materials, and equipment to prevent them from falling. Workers should use lanyards to tether their tools and materials, and all larger items should be secured with tie-off points.
While the three steps listed above are essential steps in terms of best practice, it is important to note that these steps offer limited value without having comprehensive safety training programs and protocols in place. This is where creating a culture of safety across your organization comes in. It is fundamental that your staff not only have access to the right safety installations, but also the correct learning tools to do their job safely. Here at Skyline, we’re ready to help with our popular Lunch and Learn service.
Elevated Work, Elevated Safety: Choose Skyline Group
Here at Skyline Group, we provide the inventory, experience and expertise you need to ensure true safety for workers at height. To get started, browse our full selection of safety solutions. Alternatively, reach out to a safety expert now or book your own on-site consultation.
