No matter how you look at it, the roof of your building has the potential for danger. It isn’t practical or feasible for you to ban all rooftop access because there are many legitimate and necessary reasons that some people need to be up there. As the property owner or manager, however, you can take proactive steps to ensure that your roof is as safe as possible. We’ve discussed often that a commercial roof is often “out of sight, out of mind.” In other words, we barely think about it until there is a problem. But procrastinating about safety can have catastrophic implications – so today is a great day to schedule an assessment of your current rooftop conditions.

commercial roof leak

There are three essential aspects of the roof to consider. The rooftop must be:
• Safe – with potential harm or risk removed or eliminated
• Secure – with structural integrity that can be trusted
• Simple to navigate – with pathways, barriers, and other features that make the rooftop accessible

Roof Condition and Access Assessment

You should start by answering some basic questions about the roof, such as:

How do authorized personnel access the roof?
Are all of the accessible roof areas adequately lit – by either natural or artificial light?
Does the building have an existing safety infrastructure in place? (railings, grab bars, tie-off points)
Is the roof properly and routinely maintained?
Does the roof have any potentially dangerous obstructions or jagged edges?

Address Rooftop Safety Concerns

Assessing a roof requires not only knowledge but also the application of simple practicality. If an area or structure seems dangerous or potentially unsound, point it out to a professional. Addressing the problem immediately may save someone from an unnecessary injury—or worse. To ensure the safety of employees, workers, and vendors, pay close attention to the presence and placement of barriers and railings, especially around hatches, doorways, ladders, and other access points.

Determine Why/When Roof Access is Permitted

It is best to identify and document the job description/name of any person who has permission to access the roof and have a safety protocol in place for each role.

Servicing a piece of equipment (such as an HVAC unit) is the most common reason for someone accessing a rooftop. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the location of the equipment as it relates to the edge of the roof or a roof penetration such as a skylight. Workers should be able to concentrate on the job at hand without being worried about their safety. Skylights, smoke hatches, vents, and all other rooftop openings must be protected in the same manner as the roof edge.

Fast Fact: OSHA requires protective features (such as railings) for any equipment within 6’ of a fall hazard.

Plan a Rooftop Traffic Route

Workers or employees who access the roof cannot be allowed to wander anywhere on the roof. Pathways that lead to essential areas of the roof should be established to minimize the chances of accident or injury.

You may wish to:

Mark a perimeter 15 feet back from the roof edge and prohibit access beyond that barrier
Install a crossover stair system over obstacles on the roof
Surround skylight openings in high-traffic areas with railings

The safety precautions you take will depend on the specific topography of your roofing system. Of course, if the budget permits, placing a railing system around the entire perimeter of the roof is preferable.
If you do not currently have a rooftop safety strategy in place, call a professional roofing contractor for assessment and recommendations.

Unicoat Industrial Roofing installs innovative roof coatings that significantly protect and extend the lifespan of your rooftop.