Fall from residential roof (26 June 2024)

A 31-year-old male worker attended a residential property to conduct gutter cleaning services.  While working on a residential roof the worker slid down the roof and fell approximately 5 metres to the ground.

Safety information

Workers tasked with accessing residential roofs must consider reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the hazard of working at heights.

Ensure:

  • a site-specific SafeWork Method Statement (SWMS) is developed and implemented where the risk of falls is two metres or more
  • if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the need to work from a roof, roof edge protection such as physical guardrails are the best control measure to prevent falls
  • if roof edge protection cannot be installed, use temporary work platforms such as elevated work platforms or scaffolds
  • harness-based restraint or fall arrest systems should only be considered after a risk assessment has determined the use of temporary edge protection or work platforms is not reasonably practicable
  • harness-based restraint or fall arrest systems are designed and installed, with properly positioned and installed anchor points and safe roof access equipment
  • workers are adequately trained and supervised prior to working from heights
  • procedures for working at heights are in place and always followed
  • install barriers (e.g. guard rails or covers) that are secured and labelled with warning signs preventing access to non-trafficable roofs or areas with skylights or translucent sheeting
  • you have adequate and safe access to roofs
  • you have plans in place in case of emergency.

Hazards to consider in managing fall risks include

  • unprotected edges
  • fragile surfaces
  • skylights, holes or vents
  • weather conditions such as wind and rain (for example being blown over the edge or slipping on wet roof surface)
  • trip hazards
  • overbalancing or losing grip on steep or sloping roofs
  • live electrical cables in the vicinity where work is taking place.

Statistics

Each year SafeWork NSW responds to incidents where workers have been injured as a result of falls from heights.

Workers in the construction industry are most commonly injured; however, any worker working at heights is at risk of falls.


Related guidance material

Further information

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