Fragile roofs – what you need to know

What is a fragile roof?

A fragile surface is one that cannot support the weight of a person and any materials they may be carrying, such as:

• Old roof lights (sometimes painted/dirty).
• Non-reinforced fibre cement sheets.
• Asbestos cement sheets.
• Corroded metal sheets.
• Glass (including wired glass).
• Slates and tiles in poor condition.

At UCL, in line with the instruction from the HSE, all roofs are considered fragile unless they are proven to support a person. Don't assume that just because a roof doesn't state that it's a fragile roof, it's safe to stand on.

Controlling the risks

Work on fragile roofs should be avoided if there is a safer method to carry out the work, such as:

• Working from underneath the roof using a work platform.
• Working from the ground level.
• Working from a tower scaffold or Mobile Elevated Work Platform rather than on the roof.

If the work cannot be avoided:

• All work at height must be risk assessed by a competent person.
• A Safe System of Work for working at height must be produced and implemented.
• Anyone carrying out work on a roof must have suitable training, skills and experience.

How to mitigate the risk of a fall from a fragile roof:

• Use staging or boards with guard rails.
• Use nets, air bags or bean bags.
• Use a fall-arrest harness.

What can I do?

Continued growth in towns and cities has opened up spaces in previously unused areas such as basements and roofs. You may not be aware that you are standing on a roof over a newly built underground space. You should assume that all roofing materials are fragile unless confirmed otherwise by a competent person.

• Be aware of your surroundings – do not dismiss signs for fragile roofs, even if other people are.
• Report any cracks on damaged lights or windows – they are designed to be difficult to break but should be checked as soon as possible when they have been damaged. How to raise an Estates service request.
• If you need to work on a known or potential fragile roof always follow the correct process:
  • Carry out a risk assessment.
  • Follow the Safe System of Work.
  • Ensure that the hierarchy of control measures are all in place for the entire task including any fall-arrest equipment.

Enforcement action

Over the last 5 years the Health and Safety Executive has issued 210 enforcement notices that included issues with fragile surfaces.

Company fined £200,000 after employee injured in fall

A property management company was fined £200,000 after an employee was left in a wheelchair after falling eight metres through a roof light. The HSE investigation found there had been an inadequate assessment of the risks involved for the work at height carried out on the external roof areas of a community centre. While a generic risk assessment had been done, no specific risk assessment had been done.

> Read the full HSE Press Release

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