Fatal Accidents Involving Roof Works

Many workers have been seriously injured and even lost their lives while carrying out repair and maintenance work on rooftops. The majority of fatal accidents involving such works occurred as a result of workers falling through rooftops made from fragile material such as glass, plastics or acrylic.

Case 1 : Worker Fell While Installing Sun-Louvre
A worker was tasked to install frames for the sun-louvre on a roof extension at the second floor of a factory. He stepped on a plastic skylight which was meant to allow natural sunlight into the building. The skylight gave way under the worker's weight and he fell to the ground. He subsequently died from injuries in the hospital.





Case 2 : Worker Fell While Removing Roof Sheets
A similar fatal accident took place late last year while a worker was dismantling roof sheets on the pitched roof of a vacant 1-storey factory building.
While doing his work, the worker stepped onto a plastic skylight which gave way. The worker fell through the broken skylight onto the ground and died on the spot.


Case 3 : Worker Fell Through Roof Opening
Another fatal accident occurred last year while a worker was installing new glass panel on a steep roof. He fell through a roof opening created by the removal of a glass panel. Subsequently, the worker passed away in the hospital.


Advisory Note(Please note that the following advisory note is provided for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health and in no way should the information be misconstrued as implying any liability on any party)
1. Study other alternative work method to eliminate the need to work on roof. For example, replace roofing material from below the roof.
2. DO NOT step directly onto rooftops at anytime. More than one roof ladder or crawl board must be provided to eliminate the possibility of the worker stepping directly onto the roofing material when shifting the ladder or crawl boards. The ladder and crawl board must be securely fixed to prevent any movement.
3. Safety belt or harness with two lanyards should be provided and worn by the workers working at height. The lanyards should be securely anchored to a suitable anchorage point or static line.
4. Warning notices should be placed at conspicuous positions such as walkways and all points of access to the roof to remind persons not to step directly onto the roof sheeting.
5. No persons other than the roofers should be permitted to any area over which the roof sheeting is being laid. Proper means of access to and egress from rooftops shall be made available.
6. Do not allow your workers to work on rooftops if they are physically unwell or under medication.
7. Rooftop works should not be carried out if there is strong wind and at rainy days where the surfaces are slippery.
8. Precautions such as installations of safety nets shall be taken to prevent people from being struck by materials or tools falling from rooftops when roofing works are being carried out.
9. Employers must ensure that the work area is inspected and necessary precautions have been taken before allowing roofing works to be carried out.
10. Fragile roof surfaces such as plastic skylight panels should be clearly demarcated and best barricaded, where practicable, to prevent persons from accidentally stepping on them.
11. Click HERE to read about some important information involving roof work safety published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK.
(Extracted from MOM OSH Alert, dated 5 June 2007)