This code of practice outlines safety requirements for working on roofs of buildings. It details procedures for safe access, precautions for working on sloping and fragile roofs, and specifies requirements for safety equipment like ladders, crawling boards, safety nets, and personal harnesses.
Lays down safety requirements and precautions for working on roofs, including access, edge protection, and material handling.
Quick Reference Values
Minimum width of roof ladders or crawling boards430 mm
Minimum thickness of crawling boards25 mm
Maximum ladder extension above landing point1 m
Minimum width of gangways and platforms430 mm
Maximum spacing of crawling board battens380 mm
Maximum mesh size for personnel safety nets100 mm
Practical Notes
Extreme caution is required when working on 'fragile roofs' (e.g., asbestos, plastic sheets) as specified in Clause 7; always use crawling boards.
Ensure all safety equipment, especially harnesses and nets, are not only compliant with their respective IS codes but also inspected for damage before each use.
Properly securing access ladders by tying them off at the top and bottom (Clause 5.1.4) is a fundamental and critical first step for any roof work.