Falling into line

摘要

Working at height is a common hazard associated with maintenance of buildings and is often difficult to design out as CDM regulations encourage. Many, if not most, projects require ongoing access to the roof and other high levels for maintaining rainwater goods, mechanical and electrical equipment and roof-mounted windows. Over the years since CDM was first introduced, something of a standard approach appears to have developed in relation to architects' design provisions for safe working at height and at roof level in particular. Even though it is generally understood that in the ideal situation all accessible roof areas to which maintenance access is required should be protected by perimeter guard rails, these are rarely specified. Instead, protective equipment such as fall prevention or fall arrest systems are commonly provided.