A Rooflight Is Not a Walking Surface

Controls to confirm

• Avoid roof access where possible: plan the task from below using a suitable work platform. If work must be approached from above, consider a suitable mobile elevating work platform that lets the worker remain inside the basket. Select the method for the actual building and task; do not step onto the roof simply to take a closer look.
• Confirm the roof’s condition: treat a fixed roof as fragile until a competent person confirms it is non-fragile. Have the roof and any rooflights assessed using a safe system of work. The building owner and contractor should agree the access arrangements before work starts, including how fragile areas will be identified and kept out of the walking route.
• Provide physical fall protection: where roof access cannot be avoided, a competent specialist must plan suitable staging, guarded work platforms and protection against falls through fragile areas and over edges. Use additional measures such as suitable covers, safety nets or correctly anchored harness systems as the assessment requires. Protect the people installing those measures too, and brief trained workers before access.

Today’s action

Before the next roof inspection or maintenance job, ask the building owner and contractor to confirm the competent assessment, the chosen access method and the physical protections required before access is allowed.

Source guidance

Authoritative guidance checked 25 October 2026. Apply the legal requirements and approved procedures for your location.

• HSE — Fragile surfaces: roof assessment, avoidance, protection and communication
• HSE — GEIS5: Fragile roofs — safe working practices for owners, contractors and workers