On properties across Ontario and beyond, few areas are overlooked – and as dangerous – as the rooftop. From commercial and residential buildings to healthcare facilities and industrial production areas, we’ve found one common challenge across many of the decision-makers we’ve spoken with: rooftop access is often essential, yet consistently underplanned. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive rooftop safety checklist Ontario property managers can use across to help reassess risk, renew safety measures, and ensure every system is fully aligned with the roof safety regulations Ontario enforces.
The Rooftop Safety Checklist Ontario Property Owners Need
1. Rethink Your Guardrail Systems
For many property owners and managers in Ontario, it can be easy to think of guardrails as simple physical barriers. However, it is essential to understand that these essential solutions represent more than a mere barrier, but your building’s first line of defense against fall-related liability. If your roof has unprotected edges and a fall hazard of over three meters (just under 10 feet), the law in Ontario is unambiguous: guardrails or fall protection systems are mandatory. That requirement is outlined in Ontario Regulation 213/91, Section 26.1(2).
Despite this, many older systems don’t meet current CSA standards or have suffered from weather damage and poor maintenance. If your roof has loose rails, missing components, or systems that penetrate the membrane without protection, it’s time to consider an upgrade. Modular, non-penetrating solutions like those in Skyline’s guardrails and bumplines range offer a low-maintenance, code-compliant answer.
2. Review the Condition of Access Ladders
Access ladders are often installed and left to the wayside. In many cases, their poor condition goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. Over time, brackets loosen, safety cages corrode, and clearances fall short of evolving standards. If your rooftop is accessed regularly by internal staff or outside contractors, that ladder becomes a point of high liability.
Skyline’s access ladders are designed with compliance in mind, meeting CSA and OHSA codes. However, using these solutions to their ultimate effect isn’t just about choosing the right product. It’s also about their placement, anchoring, and ensuring they’re equipped with appropriate fall arrest devices where needed. For more advice on maintaining access ladders, our learning resource on this topic is a must-read.
3. Evaluate Walkability Across the Roof
Rooftop traffic has increased in recent years. This is particularly true with the advent of solar panels, with teams requiring access more now than at any time in recent history. Solar installers, HVAC technicians and building inspectors all need clear, designated paths – not just for convenience, but for their own safety. Despite this, we frequently observe makeshift walkways or worn-out paths that offer no grip, no fall protection, and no direction.
If walking on your rooftop means stepping over ducts, skirting around skylights, or navigating uneven surfaces, that’s a major red flag that places your team at significant risk. By using aluminum walkways, those requiring access to your rooftop are protected by visible access routes that prevent wear and reduce slip risks, particularly in Ontario’s ice-prone winters.
4. Don’t Overlook Skylight Safety
One of the most underappreciated hazards on a commercial rooftop? The skylight. In the event of a fall, an unguarded skylight can act like an open hole – and under Ontario safety codes, it’s treated as such. Naturally, the risk of falling through skylights increases during periods of snowfall, where these installations can be easily obstructed from view.
In many buildings, these surfaces are improperly labeled or inadequately protected. Protective screens or safety cages are essential, particularly for older skylight models. The skylight safety solutions Skyline offers allow you to bring aging roofs up to code with minimal retrofit disruption. We recommend browsing all of these products to find the right fit for your installation. For more advice, our safety experts are on-standby and ready to respond to any questions you may have.
5. Roof Hatch Areas Deserve Special Attention
Similarly to skylights, roof hatches serve a vital function while also presenting unique risks. When left open, they introduce fall hazards. When poorly designed, they limit safe access. And when lacking proper protection, they violate Ontario’s working-at-heights requirements.
In high-traffic buildings, hatches should be surrounded by a guardrail system and self-closing gate to ensure safe egress. If your site lacks those measures, you may face personal liability under the Westray Law in the event of a safety incident. If you think this applies to your rooftop, consider reviewing Skyline’s roof hatch safety systems to close that gap or consult our comprehensive learning resource on this topic.
6. Confirm You Have Current Fall Protection Training
Even the best safety system means little if your staff don’t know how to use it. Ontario’s OHSA requires that all workers exposed to fall hazards receive working-at-heights training from a Ministry-approved provider. As some responsible for the safety of workers at height, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- When was the last time your team completed fall protection training?
- Are your third-party contractors certified?
- Is training incorporated into your onboarding and facility access protocols?
If your team hasn’t received formal training on height safety protocols, you need to take action.
7. When Was Your Last Full Rooftop Safety Inspection?
Routine rooftop safety inspections are an essential of any fall protection strategy. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), over 40% of workplace injuries are due to slips, trips, and falls – many of which originate on roofs and access systems.
If your last inspection happened more than 12 months ago – or if you’re unsure when it was – it’s time for a formal review. Skyline’s Onsite Consultation offers a comprehensive audit tailored to Ontario’s unique regulatory requirements, providing expert guidance on safety solution selection along the way.
8. Assess the Compatibility of Your Systems
It’s surprisingly common to find rooftop safety setups that don’t integrate. Examples of poor integration include:
- A compliant ladder next to a non-compliant guardrail.
- Walkways that stop short of access points.
- Older installations made with materials incompatible with modern upgrades.
Your rooftop fall protection systems should work as a network, rather than a collection of parts. Consider reviewing your layout on a holistic basis, especially if changes to your rooftop equipment, tenant access needs or building use have occurred over the past year.
9. Know the Latest Regulatory Shifts
Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act is evolving. So is CSA Standard Z259, which outlines requirements for fall arrest, anchor points, and personal protection systems. While these documents are dense, it is critical that you fully understand them and act on their recommendations.
Property managers must stay informed about regulatory updates that could affect rooftop compliance. This is especially true if your facility is undergoing renovation, adding new rooftop infrastructure, or bringing on new service providers.
To stay current, refer to Skyline’s summary of Canadian rooftop safety regulations, which breaks down key standards in accessible language.
10. Plan Upgrades Before They’re Urgent
One of the most consistent messages we hear from Ontario building owners? “We wish we’d done this sooner.”
Delaying safety upgrades often makes the eventual solution more complex and expensive. In contrast, proactive planning allows for phased installations, fewer disruptions, and better cost control.
Our case study with McCain Foods is a great example of how a strategic, non-disruptive upgrade led to safer access and improved operational efficiency.
Always Remember: Compliance Isn’t a One-Time Task
Staying compliant in 2025 means taking ownership of your rooftop environment – not just for legal peace of mind, but to protect the workers who rely on safe access every day. This fall protection inspection checklist 2025 gives Ontario property managers a proactive roadmap, but the follow-through is what makes the difference.
Protect Your People, Company and Brand Now
Skyline Group is here to help property owners and managers throughout Ontario, from consultation and installation to audits and training. Whether you’re working through this rooftop safety checklist for property managers step-by-step or looking to future-proof your site in one go, let’s talk. Explore our products, download product specifications or reach out to book a free consultation.
