Fragile Roof Materials

Old liner panels on built up sheeted roofs.

Fragile roof materials.

Where brittle and fragile roofing materials form part of a roof those accessing it should be informed this includes those carrying out construction work. Access onto a fragile roof is often required for maintenance inspection cleaning or general repairs. Glass such as wired glass. Roof slates and tiles.

Working on fragile roofs. A significant rise in the number of fatalities involving working on roofs particularly involving fragile roof materials has prompted the health and safety authority to issue this safety alert to highlight the need for stringent health and safety procedures when carrying out this type of work. Fibre cement sheets non reinforced sheets irrespective of profile type. Fragile roofs are typically found on factories and warehouses and can include.

Clay and concrete tiles. Glass including wired glass. Roofs are likely to be fragile if they are made with. Synthetic roofing materials are less fragile heavy or as expensive as natural roofing products.

Roof lights and skylights. Fragile materials present a risk to people installing the material doing subsequent maintenance and crossing the material to gain access to other parts of a structure or plant situated for instance on a roof. Non reinforced fibre cement sheets. Non reinforced fibre cement sheets.

Polycarbonate or plastic commonly used in skylights. Clay and concrete tiles add texture and elegance to a roof. In particular the following are likely to be fragile. Often they can absorb water creating mold and the quality varies.

Rooflights particularly those in the roof plane that can be. Concrete tiles are versatile and are less expensive than genuine clay but also have a heavy weight. Roof lights particularly those in the roof plane that can be difficult to see in certain light conditions or when hidden by paint. They should also be given a safe system of work and training about the safety system of work to be used.

Fiber cement roofs and fragile roof skylights are among the biggest causes of fall through incidents resulting in serious injuries or worse. Genuine flat ribbed or scalloped clay tiles are extremely durable but also very heavy and must be installed by a professional.