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Roofing Risk Assessment

Generate HSE-compliant roofing risk assessments in 60 seconds

7,000

Annual injuries in roofing

10

Fatal injuries per year

Falls from height

Leading cause of injury

Low

Assessment difficulty

Common Roofing Hazards

Key risks identified by the HSE for roofing work

Falls from Height
High Risk

Falls from roof edges, through fragile materials, from ladders

Control Measures:

  • Edge protection (guardrails, toe boards)
  • Fall arrest systems with harnesses
  • Crawling boards for fragile roofs
  • Safe access routes (scaffolding, stair towers)
Fragile Surfaces
High Risk

Roof lights, asbestos cement sheets, old roof materials

Control Measures:

  • Assume all roofs have fragile areas until proven otherwise
  • Use crawling boards on fragile roofs
  • Cover or barrier roof lights
  • Never walk on fragile materials
Weather Conditions
Medium Risk

Wind, rain, ice, sun exposure

Control Measures:

  • Monitor weather forecasts
  • Stop work in winds over 23mph (gusts)
  • Slip protection for wet/icy conditions
  • Sun protection and hydration in hot weather
Manual Handling
Medium Risk

Lifting heavy roofing materials, tiles, felt rolls

Control Measures:

  • Mechanical lifting (cranes, hoists)
  • Plan material storage at roof level
  • Team handling for heavy items
  • Use lightweight alternatives where possible
Hot Works
High Risk

Torch-on felt application, bitumen heating

Control Measures:

  • Hot work permit system
  • Fire extinguishers and blankets
  • Protect combustible materials
  • Fire watch after completion
Asbestos Exposure
High Risk

Old roof sheets, guttering, flashings containing asbestos

Control Measures:

  • Asbestos survey before work
  • Licensed contractor for licensed ACMs
  • PPE and RPE for non-licensed work
  • Proper disposal at licensed facility

Relevant Legislation

Laws and regulations that apply to roofing risk assessments

Work at Height Regulations 2005

Primary legislation for all work at height including roofing

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

General duties for employers and self-employed

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Requirements for working with asbestos-containing materials

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

Requirements for construction projects including roofing work

Frequently Asked Questions

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About Roofing Risk Assessments

A roofing risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures for roofing work activities. Under UK health and safety law, employers and self-employed workers must assess risks to health and safety arising from their work.

The HSE 5-step approach involves: (1) identifying hazards, (2) deciding who might be harmed and how, (3) evaluating risks and deciding on precautions, (4) recording findings, and (5) reviewing and updating as necessary. Our AI-powered generator follows this methodology to create professional, compliant assessments.

Whether you're a sole trader, small business, or larger contractor, documented risk assessments protect both workers and businesses. They demonstrate compliance with health and safety law and provide evidence of due diligence in case of incidents.