working on roof tops

**birdman73au** · 20-03-12, 03:37 PM

Just a question, i am now working for a new boss and he has asked me about regulations for working on a house roof single story.
When doing a reed switch or siren box that i coudn't grab the wires from inside the roof i have always removed a couple of tiles while on my ladder and pulled the cable or at worst got on the roof and removed the tiles, he has asked me should i be wearing a harness system of some sort? In the last 12 years of fitting alarms i have never had this question asked for a house job! Any help with this would be great.

Birdman

**watchdog** · 20-03-12, 05:03 PM

Mate you probably should but I'm guessing you ( like me ) have never fallen off a roof. Ultimately it is he who is responsible for your safe working environment although if something goes wrong they like to share the shit. Ask him if you can have an offsider to foot the ladder for you.

**thing** · 20-03-12, 05:41 PM

yeh you need a harness. Anything over 2 meters. there is a rule somewhere that lets you go to 2.4 in certain conditions but for what your doing its over both of these

**birdman73au** · 20-03-12, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by thing

yeh you need a harness. Anything over 2 meters. there is a rule somewhere that lets you go to 2.4 in certain conditions but for what your doing its over both of these

Yeah i thought so, my next question is, what do you attach the harness to on the side of a house? By the time i remove tiles to screw a bolt to the roof trusee i would have already pulled the cable through.

**Drift** · 20-03-12, 09:25 PM

I think you'll find the legislation states recommended heights over which you require fall arrest or fall restraint systems however it also states something along the lines of "if reasonably practicable". In other words, if it's not practical to use a such a system, ensure that reasonable control measures are in place. IE: high grip footwear, 3 points of contact at all times etc.

**weirdo** · 20-03-12, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by birdman73au

Yeah i thought so, my next question is, what do you attach the harness to on the side of a house? By the time i remove tiles to screw a bolt to the roof trusee i would have already pulled the cable through.

that's exactly the joke about our health and safety rules
jerks in offices making decisions on how you should do your job
and in this society of litigation employers just need to cover their arse

**Drift** · 20-03-12, 09:29 PM

The biggest issue facing business now is that all levels management/supervisors either directly or indirectly responsible for a particular individual can be held personally liable in the event of an injury sustained by that individual. It's no long just the company directors.

**intelliGEORGE** · 20-03-12, 10:25 PM

**weirdo** · 20-03-12, 10:49 PM

I used to be a site supervisor and we always used the same crane hire mob.
I got talking to the dogman one day, saying "I haven't seen you for ages"
he informed me he had been on stress leave.
Apparently they did a job in the city, where they had to lift this AC unit out of a high rise building.
They had this 18 year old kid from some labour hire place to help them out.
He was instructed to latch the hooks onto the unit, then confirm by two way and then come down to the street to help unhook.
He never came down.
When the dogman went to investigate, he found the young guy crushed to death in the lift.
The lanyard of his safety harness had gotten caught between the lift doors and when the lift went down it killed the poor guy.
So much for this safety device saving his life.
I realize these are extreme circumstances but it goes to show how we're breeding a dumber society with no logic or common sense.
Everything is stipulated and regulated but thinking for yourself has gone out the window.
Found this too about safety harnesses >

**Hound-Dog** · 21-03-12, 02:35 PM

It all comes down to the individual. You are responsible for your own safety. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, THEN DON'T DO IT!
I am a victim of a fall, so these days I sit at a desk all day. I tried to cut a corner, and broke my back as a result! We all think 'it won't happen to me', and that is usually the first mistake! I may be more biased towards safety now, but common sense is all that is really required!

**allover** · 21-03-12, 02:52 PM

Building in Vic, 1.8 m from edge of building line you are not required to wear a harness if the roof is relatively flat
From some one who tried to dive from 3m into a concrete slab, the only thing that went splash was me (more like splat) LOL

**birdman73au** · 21-03-12, 06:03 PM

Update!

I turn up to work this morning and the boss hands me this back pack harness kit. So i now have more stuff in the back of the van. Would help if i new how to tie a knot.

**downunderdan** · 21-03-12, 06:35 PM

Join the SES.

No, seriously. Join the SES.

**Goldstorm** · 25-03-12, 08:25 PM

better still call the SES to get the wire for you ...Problem fixed !!
I think all suburbs are covered by SES.

**Fernbay** · 25-03-12, 08:39 PM

You don't tie knots if it's a real safety kit

**downunderdan** · 26-03-12, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Fernbay

You don't tie knots if it's a real safety kit

That will come as real news to SES members, VRA members, Police rescue and recreational climbers who routinely use knots on which their life (and/or someone else's) depends.

It's possible you're getting confused with kits that come from hire-places that are aimed at poorly trained clueless noobs likely to injure themselves.

**Fernbay** · 26-03-12, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by downunderdan

That will come as real news to SES members, VRA members, Police rescue and recreational climbers who routinely use knots on which their life (and/or someone else's) depends.

It's possible you're getting confused with kits that come from hire-places that are aimed at poorly trained clueless noobs likely to injure themselves.

Originally Posted by birdman73au

Update!

I turn up to work this morning and the boss hands me this back pack harness kit. So i now have more stuff in the back of the van. Would help if i new how to tie a knot.

Safety kits do not require tying any knots.
All attachments are double gated, requiring two distinct actions to open them so they can not be accidental opened.

According to the work safely at heights that I needed compulsory accreditation with, tying knots is a definite no-no. It is not in the design of the kit and does not follow the manufactures directions.

They are also carry a ten year certification. That certification needs to be in place and current for use on a worksite. Workcover can issue large fines for non-compliance.
I am unsure how you would get your knot certified.

**downunderdan** · 26-03-12, 08:02 PM

The system you've depicted is aimed at people who wouldn't know an Alpine Butterfly from a butterfist. So yes, tying a knot in such a manufactured fall-arrest system specifically designed to obviate the need for knots, would be a bad idea.

But I have no desire to get into an argument with a "Super Moderator". We know how those end.

**intelliGEORGE** · 26-03-12, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Fernbay

According to the work safely at heights that I needed compulsory accreditation with, tying knots is a definite no-no.

Get your money back. Obviously your trainer is telling porkies.

We just put 50 employees through Safe Working at Heights training to align with the new Work Health and Safety Act 2011. All were shown knot and rope techniques relevant to fall restraint/arrest systems.

Program:
• Overview of system and history
• Safe work on roofs
• Knot and Rope Techniques
• Anchor Points
• Rigging Techniques
• Static Lines
• Harness
• Risk Assessment/Accidents
• Self Rescue
• Rescue: lower from roof using reversible anchor system
• Fall Arrest devices
• Fall Factors
• Temporary safety line over roof
• Care Use & Maintenance
• Operator & Public Safety
• WorkCover requirements
• Theoretical examination