Roofing work involves several tasks that potentially expose persons to the risk of falls both through and from the edge of the roof structure. Physical edge protection must be provided for all roofing works, so far as is reasonably practicable.This section gives basic advice on the provision of fall protection for roofing construction work. This Code is not intended as complete guidance where the roofing work involves dismantling or demolition work.

The pitch of the roof is one of the key risk factors to be considered when determining the type of risk control measures to be put in place for roofing work. The critical angle is the roof pitch below which it is considered roof workers may reasonably be able to work and walk across the roof.Builders and subcontractors should determine the critical angle as part of their risk assessment. In no case should the critical angle be taken as greater than 26 degrees or 10 degrees where the presence or likelihood of surface moisture, oil or other conditions makes the roof slippery. Consideration should be given to the fact that the critical angle may be reduced in the presence of fully glazed and wet tiles.

Safe access must be provided for workers carrying out work on the roof. Depending on the edge protection system being used, you should ensure that:persons are able to access the roof through the roof edge protection without having to climb over the top rail or mid rail

• access ladders are secured against movement
• where a platform is located more than 500 mm below the roof edge, then additional means of access to the roof is provided
• where an elevator, hoist or similar is used it is installed so that materials can be received at the roof level.

Guardrail systems should include top, mid and bottom rails or toe boards (see Figure 22). Where toe boards are used in place of bottom rails they must be able to withstand the likely impact loads.Guardrail systems should include the following:

• toe boards or mesh in fill to prevent tools, materials or debris falling from the roof, unless a 2 metre ‘no go’ zone has been established to prevent persons entering the area below
• a clear gap between rails not exceeding 450 mm. The clear distance between a mid-rail and a toe board or bottom rail should not exceed 275 mm
• no gap between the roof edge, including the gutter, and a guardrail located outside the roof line exceeding 100 mm
• a clear distance between the roof cladding and the bottom rail of not less than 150 mm and not greater than 275 mm
• an effective guardrail height above the roof surface of not less than 900 mm (for roofs with a pitch over 10 degrees the effective height must be measured from a point 300 mm inside the roof edge)
• in fill panels where the pitch of the roof exceeds 26 degrees.