For building owners and managers across Ontario, taking a reactive rather than proactive approach to rooftop safety presents inherent risks. Creating a strategy that protects workers and maintenance teams all-year-round isn’t just a recommendation, but a necessity underlined by the province’s stringent safety regulations. In a comprehensive learning resource from Skyline Group, we outline the essential steps that can be taken to create a strategy that goes beyond compliance across all seasons of the year.
Time and time again, we see instances of organizations who don’t recognize the importance of an all-year round safety strategy until it’s too late. The consequences are often tragic, and here at Skyline Group, we refer to that misguided approach as “discovering safety by accident”. But what do we really mean by taking a reactive approach to safety, rather than a proactive approach?
Rooftop Safety: The Dangers of a Reactive Approach
Here’s just a few examples of approaches that highlight the dangers of a reactive approach:
- Waiting for an accident to happen: A building manager may delay in installing a guardrail around a roof edge, reasoning that their facilities team is careful and experienced. When an accident does happen, there is a scramble to implement fall protection solutions. By taking a proactive and preventative approach, injuries, costly lawsuits, regulatory fines and damaged reputation all could have been avoided.
- Maintaining equipment only when it fails: Let’s look at an example where access ladders are only inspected after a worker reports instability. Upon inspection, it could be discovered that corrosion has caused the ladder to weaken. This delay could have resulted in catastrophic failure, risking severe injury or risk to life. In any case, it will result in disrupted operations and higher emergency repair costs.
- Ignoring seasonal hazards: As an example, a property owner could fail to prepare their rooftop for winter conditions, assuming that workers will be careful. In the event that a contractor slips or falls after heavy snowfall, that property owner will be held liable for any injury. Additionally, emergency snow removal and retrofitting anti-slip solutions can become urgent and costly.
These are only a few examples of how a reactive approach to safety can risk tragic consequences, as well as irreversible damage to your company and brand. In the next section, we outline the correct, proactive approach to creating an all-year-round rooftop safety strategy.
Adopting an All-Year Round Approach
The foundation of your all-year-round safety approach in Ontario should begin with a full understanding of the legislation you must follow.
Always remember: Ontario’s rooftop safety legislation applies to all seasons of the year. In order to go beyond compliance and ensure genuine protection for workers at height, you must ensure your approach sees the below regulations as starting points:
- Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91): Includes specific requirements for fall protection systems, safety procedures, and ladder use when working at heights of 3 metres or more.
- Industrial Establishments (Reg. 851): Outlines rules for safe access, including ladder safety and the requirement for guardrails and protective barriers around rooftop edges or openings.
- Ontario Building Code: Establishes design standards for rooftop access points like hatches and ladders to ensure safety and compliance.
1. Winter: Protecting Against Ice, Snow and Wind
Building owners and managers in Ontario will understand only too well how harsh the province’s winter season can be. This part of Canada experiences heavy snow and ice accumulation throughout the season, drastically increasing the risk of slips, trips and falls. Beyond that, strong winds can easily destabilize workers and their equipment, presenting significant risks to themselves and others at lower levels.
Below, we’ve listed some key measures that should receive extra attention in the winter season:
- Snow removal plans: Create a snow and ice management strategy, including professional removal services and heated walkways where feasible.
- Anti-slip solutions: Install aluminium walkways with serrated surfaces to prevent slips on icy surfaces. Skyline Group’s walkways are designed to maintain traction in extreme weather conditions.
- Guardrails & bumplines: Non-penetrating Skyline guardrails provide secure barriers against roof edges, preventing accidental falls when visibility is reduced.
- Wind considerations: Use tie-off points and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) to stabilise workers during high-wind conditions.
2. Spring: Dealing with Rain and Melting Ice
After the harsh winter, property managers and owners in Ontario will often experience fluctuating temperatures, rain and melting snow on their rooftops. These conditions can create slippery surfaces and expose structural vulnerabilities caused by winter conditions. The steps below can be included in your all-year-round safety protocol:
- Inspect for damage: Perform a thorough spring inspection to identify roof damage caused by winter weather, including cracks, loose materials, and compromised anchors.
- Warning line systems: Install Skyline RoofLine systems to create controlled zones for workers to navigate safely around hazardous areas.
- Ladder inspections: Check all access ladders for corrosion, loose fittings, or structural integrity issues caused by repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
3. Summer: Managing Heat and Increased Activity
For many organizations, rooftops typically experience increased footfall during the summer months. This may be in order to accommodate any building work, or essential maintenance tasks that can’t be completed at other times of year. From a safety perspective, the challenges of this season shouldn’t be underestimated, with sun glare and safe access to be given special consideration.
- Sun protection: Equip workers with UV-resistant clothing and ensure water stations are available to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion.
- Clear pathways: Keep rooftops free of clutter by organising tools and materials using secure storage solutions.
- Elevated platforms: Use crossover bridges and platforms to provide safe access over obstacles like HVAC units, ensuring clear movement pathways in high-traffic areas.
- Regular maintenance: Summer is an ideal time to repair or replace damaged rooftop safety systems. Consider upgrading guardrails, hatches, and ladders to Skyline Group’s modular, low-maintenance solutions.
4. Fall: Preparing for Challenges Ahead
As the year progresses, autumn provides an opportunity to prepare for winter while managing seasonal risks like wet leaves and increased rainfall. It also provides an ideal opportunity to begin preparing for any winter rooftop safety inspections you may have planned. Below, we’ve listed some key steps that are relevant to the fall season:
- Gutter maintenance: Ensure rooftop drainage systems are clear of leaves and debris to prevent water pooling and ice formation.
- Roof hatch safety: Install roof hatch guardrails to secure access points and prevent falls when transitioning from ladders to rooftops. For comprehensive guidance on roof hatch safety, consult our free learning resource.
- Seasonal safety training: Conduct refresher courses for rooftop workers, focusing on the specific risks they may encounter during the colder months.
- Equipment upgrades: Inspect and upgrade safety solutions to ensure they can withstand freezing temperatures and heavy snow loads.
Best Practices for Compliance and Safety Year-Round
It is important to note that the steps above should not be taken in isolation. The fact is that your approach – regardless of the season – should prioritize regular inspections, comprehensive training, high-quality equipment, and staying informed on evolving legislation.
Conducting routine inspections is essential to identifying and addressing hazards before they escalate into serious risks. Scheduled rooftop safety audits should be performed consistently, with a focus on wear and tear on ladders, guardrails, and other critical safety systems.
Beyond inspections, comprehensive training for rooftop workers is crucial. Workers must be well-versed in the proper use of safety equipment, hazard identification, and emergency response protocols. Training should not be static; it must be updated seasonally to reflect the unique challenges posed by changing weather conditions, such as icy surfaces in winter or strong winds in spring. Regular refreshers ensure that teams are prepared for any scenario, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by inadequate knowledge or improper equipment use.
Investing in high-quality safety equipment is another fundamental component of maintaining rooftop safety year-round. Durable, regulation-compliant safety solutions, such as non-penetrating guardrails and lifeline ladders, play a vital role in minimizing risk. Ontario’s demanding climate requires equipment that can withstand extreme temperatures, heavy snow loads, and high winds without compromising worker safety.
Finally, staying informed on legislation is a responsibility that building owners and managers cannot afford to overlook. Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and provincial building codes are subject to periodic updates, and maintaining compliance requires a thorough understanding of these changes. Keeping up with evolving regulations ensures that rooftop safety strategies remain aligned with legal requirements, preventing costly fines and liability issues.
By adopting these best practices, property managers can create a culture of safety that protects workers, minimizes risks, and reinforces their commitment to regulatory compliance throughout the year.
Skyline Group: Protecting People, Companies and Brands
Here at Skyline Group, we are more than just a safety solution provider: we’re the trusted North American choice for safe elevated work areas. To transform safety levels on your rooftop, get started by browsing our safety solutions. Alternatively, book an On-Site Consultation or request a quote.
