Falls off the edge and falls through the roof — two killers, two sets of controls
Roofs are behind many of New Zealand's construction falls, and more than half of reported construction falls are from under 3 metres — often from roofs and ladders. There are two distinct dangers: falling off an edge, and falling through a fragile surface or opening. Install edge protection on every exposed edge and around skylights and openings, never trust a brittle roof or translucent sheet to bear weight, and plan the job before anyone climbs up.
Edge protection is the preferred control for roof work because, once installed, it protects everyone on the roof without further action. Provide it on all exposed edges — the building perimeter, around skylights and other fragile materials, and any openings in the roof or floor.
Install it early so every trade benefits, and never install edge protection while standing on the roof — set it up from a safe position by a competent person. Where edge protection is not practicable, use scaffolding, a MEWP or a total-restraint or fall-arrest system. See working at height.
Brittle or fragile roofing — asbestos cement, plastic, fibreglass, glass, corroded or weathered sheeting, and translucent skylights and roof lights — will not safely support a person. New translucent sheeting is just as dangerous as old.
No one should access a brittle roof until controls are in place. Carry out an internal inspection with a competent person to locate skylights and weak areas, cover openings securely with covers designed to take the load, fit edge protection around them, put up signage warning of the fall-through risk, and use crawling boards or safety mesh where needed. Never stand on a translucent or clear sheet.
| Before you start | What to do |
|---|---|
| Access | Provide secure temporary access — scaffold, work platform or MEWP — not just a ladder. |
| Roof condition | Inspect for corrosion, weak spots and fragile materials before anyone goes up. |
| Weather | Wind and wet make roofs slippery and dangerous — reassess in poor conditions. |
| Falling objects | Protect people below with exclusion zones and edge protection that also stops materials falling. |
Capture your roof and fragile-surface hazards and document the controls. Book a demo and we'll show you how it works — free 30-day trial included.
On all exposed edges — the building perimeter, around skylights and other fragile materials, and any openings in the roof or floor. It is the preferred control because it protects everyone on the roof once installed.
Materials that will not safely support a person, such as asbestos cement, plastic, fibreglass, glass, corroded or weathered sheeting, and translucent skylights and roof lights, including new translucent sheeting.
Locate skylights and weak areas with a competent person, cover openings with load-rated covers, fit edge protection around them, use crawling boards or safety mesh, and put up warning signage. Never stand on translucent sheeting.
Falls from height are a leading cause of construction harm, and more than half of reported construction falls are from under 3 metres, often from roofs and ladders.
No. Edge protection should never be installed while standing on the roof. It must be set up from a safe position by a competent person, and as early in the job as possible.
