In order to safeguard carpenters working on roof from falls, Oxford Safety Components uses a trellis system of aluminium safety mats, spread progressively on top of the rafters. Thes mats create a safe working surface

The task

Sloping timber framed house roofs are constructed from a series of timber ‘A’ frame trusses. The frames are hoisted into position by crane and then nailed together with cross bracing in order to make a strong, resistant structure.

The risk

The problem is how to safeguard carpenters from falls. These falls occur from inside the roof space down into the interior of the house – possible several storeys. Before the frames are properly braced they are extremely flexible. The carpenters are standing on a series of narrow, wobbly rafters. They may have to climb up through the rafter system to remove crane hooks, or fix higher level braces in the roof space.

Safety harnesses are impractical as carpenters have to move around inside the frames in order to fix the bracing. Safety netting and other catching devices can help to avoid serious injuries but they do not eliminate the actual fall and carpenters can hit the rafters on the way down. The outcome of a fall can be death or serious injury.

The solution and the methodology

Two roof carpenters who wanted to find a solution to this hazard in their work developed the situation. They had the idea of using a trellis system of aluminium safety mats, spread progressively on top of the rafters, to create a working surface as the rafter trusses are put in place.

The trellis system needed to be quick to install and flexible to fit different types and sizes of roof. The solution is an expanding aluminium safety trellis system of mats or temporary decking. These mats are spread on top of the rafters as the rafter trusses are spread and placed into position.

The effectiveness of results

The mats form a working deck that eliminates falls and assists the easy fitting of bracing by carpenters, as well as other roof facilities such as water tanks, plumbing connections, etc. It allows operators to see what they are standing on. It is light and folds away into a compact unit for hoisting up to roofs and for storage. It is also strong and weather proof.

This mat system fits any type of roof, to prevent any fall. It increases productivity of the carpentry work, since carpenters can see what they are standing on and can move about the temporary platform more easily. The cost of use is reduced by the improved productivity.

The employee participation

Although the trellis system is easy and safe for roof carpenters to install and move, all employees are given full training before use.