HSE-Approved Roofer RAMS Template

Falling from roofs or falling through fragile materials (skylights, old sheets) causing fatal injuries.

Install robust scaffold edge protection (guardrails/toe boards), use suitable crawl boards/ladders on sloped roofs, wear full body harnesses with secure lifelines, and cover fragile skylights.

Falling materials striking workers or members of the public below.

Mandate approved hard hats at all times, secure tools with lanyards, install scaffolding debris netting, and establish a clear exclusion zone at ground level.

Severe thermal burns or fire from handling molten asphalt and open flames.

Wear heavy-duty leather gauntlets and protective clothing, keep suitable dry powder fire extinguishers at the immediate work area, and maintain a 30-minute post-work fire watch.

Stepping on old, brittle plastic skylights or glass domes and falling through.

Install temporary timber covers or guardrails around all skylights, treat all roof openings as fragile, and display clear safety warning signs.

Loss of footing or losing control of roof sheets/materials in high winds or rain.

Monitor weather forecasts, suspend all roof work if average wind speeds exceed 23 mph (or lower for sheet handling), and clear wet/icy sloped surfaces.

Repetitive strains or back injuries from carrying slates, lead flashing, or tiles.

Use mechanical tile hoists or ladder lifts, limit load weights carried manually, and wear high-grip gloves to avoid slate cuts.

Accidental contact of long metal ladders, flashing, or tools with overhead electrical lines.

Scan work areas for overhead power lines before setting up, maintain at least a 6-meter horizontal safety zone, and use non-conductive fiberglass ladders.

Ladders sliding out at the base or toppling sideways due to incorrect angles or lack of securing.

Ensure ladders are secured at the top and base, set up at a 75-degree angle (1 in 4 rule), and inspect safety locking mechanisms on towers weekly.

Dehydration, heat stroke, or skin burns from working on highly reflective roof surfaces under direct sunlight.

Provide fresh drinking water, schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded areas, and mandate high-SPF sunscreen and lightweight long-sleeve shirts.

Severe finger and hand lacerations when handling, trimming, or drilling natural slates and lead/zinc sheets.

Wear heavy-duty leather or EN388 cut-resistant gloves, and use designated slate cutters and shears.

Severe skin burns from boiling asphalt splatters or respiratory distress from breathing toxic gas emissions.

Locate heating kettles outdoors on level ground away from windows, wear full face-shields and heat gauntlets, and keep a dry-chemical extinguisher at hand.

Roof joists or decking collapsing due to concentrated storage loads of slates or materials.

Verify structural loading capacity of the roof before stacking materials, distribute slate crates evenly across load-bearing walls, and use temporary supports.