Working on or Near Skylights

Maintaining skylights will involve roof work / working at height which poses significant risks for employees. Careful consideration should be given to what hazards workers could face when cleaning or repairing skylights and what measures should be taken to keep them safe.

Working on a Roof

If just some simple maintenance is required, for example, cleaning a skylight, it may be that your team tasked with the cleaning operation must access a high-risk situation rather than employ specialist contractors. One of the most significant risks faced by employees in these situations is that of falls from considerable heights. Exposed unprotected edges, fragile surfaces and uneven surfaces can easily transform a routine task into a hazardous, high risk operation, emphasising the critical need for good management and control of the working at height.

Skylights

Skylights, designed to allow natural light into enclosed areas, present an invisible hazards for the unassuming worker. Often overlooked or mistaken for sturdy surfaces, these openings can have severe consequences if not properly secured or marked. The unsuspecting employee may inadvertently step onto a fragile skylight, unaware of the danger that lies beneath. When preparing risk assessments or safe working orocedures for working at height, never authorise workers to put their full body weight on a skylight. They are not designed to support the weight of an adult. Also its structure may have been severely weakened with age so can become extremely brittle over time.

Protecting Workers

According to the HSE, one fifth of fatal falls from height involve skylights which provides a crucial focus for the need for comprehensive training on roof safety, fall protection and awareness is critical. Workers must understand the risks involved and how to mitigate them. When direct access to the roof can’t be avoided, it’s important to take precautions to prevent falls. These could include:

• Fitting suitable, secure covers over the skylights
• Installing a safety net beneath the roof surface
• Fitting strong mesh above or below the roof lights for a permanent protective measure
• Providing personal fall arrest systems, e.g. harnesses which are secured to a fixed point
• Clearly identifying and marking skylights
• Conducting routine inspections of skylights to identify hazards and promptly address potential dangers
• If practicable, use a drone to identify any issues to reduce the amount of time a person has to be on the roof.

• Providing workers with appropriate PPE such as helmets and non-slip footwear
• Monitoring the weather conditions to avoid wind, slippery conditions and fog.

All work should be adequately planned to take account of the risk of working near to a fragile surface, such as a skylight. Consideration should be given to the use a Permit to Work system prior to works commencing to ensure that the hazards to be faced are discussed and understood and that the workers are satisfied with the control measures you have implemented.

As an added precaution use a Permit to Work system to train to the workers. This sets out your clear expectations as to how the task should be undertaken safely. 

You should never allow lone working to be undertaken when working on a roof. Even if the task is a small one-man job, always ensure that there is another competent person present to take action in case of an adverse event.

When maintaining skylights, equipping workers with the knowledge, skills and resources to navigate potential hazards, e.g. falling through them, is essential. 

If you require any help or advice regarding working at height, or more specifically, working on / near skylights, please contact Spectra where one of our experienced Consultants can help. Contact us