Roof Access and Maintenance — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for roof access and general maintenance activities including inspection, cleaning, and repair work at height on residential and commercial structures.
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Roof access and maintenance work is classified as high-risk construction work under Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations wherever there is a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres. Even inspection and cleaning tasks on a standard residential pitch fall within this classification, obligating the PCBU to prepare and implement a SWMS before any worker accesses the roof.
The principal hazard is uncontrolled falls. Contributing factors include fragile or brittle roofing materials — particularly older fibro sheeting, which may contain asbestos and must be assessed under the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos before any work proceeds — as well as sloped or wet surfaces, skylights, and unprotected edges. AS/NZS 1891 (Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices) governs the selection and use of harnesses and lanyards, and compliance with this standard should be cited in the SWMS.
There is no specific trade licence required solely for roof access in most jurisdictions; however, any incidental electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician, and any plumbing or gas work must be carried out by a licensed plumber. Where scaffolding is erected for access, a licensed scaffolder is required. Workers operating EWPs for roof access must hold a relevant high-risk work licence (WP class for boom-type EWPs over 11 metres).
When customising this template, document the specific roof pitch in degrees, the roofing material and its condition, the means of safe access (fixed ladder, EWP, scaffold), the fall-prevention system selected (guardrails, travel restraint, or fall arrest), and any identified fragile surfaces to be avoided. An emergency rescue plan for a fallen or suspended worker must be included and should be specific — a generic "call 000" is insufficient. The SWMS must be reviewed and signed by all workers before they begin, and a site-specific safety check must be completed at the start of each work session.
This template is applicable in all jurisdictions that have adopted the model WHS laws. Victorian users should refer to the OHS Regulations 2017 and relevant WorkSafe Victoria guidance, and ensure compliance with the Equipment (Public Safety) Act 1994 where plant is involved.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work at height more than 2 metres
- •Work on or near fragile or unstable surfaces
Risk Assessment
1.Pre-work site inspection and hazard identification
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unidentified fragile roofing materials (fibro, skylights, corroded metal) | Catastrophic | Conduct thorough visual inspection from ground level using binoculars before ascending. Photograph and map all fragile areas including skylights, fibro sheeting, and rusted panels. Mark fragile zones with hazard tape and install crawl boards across all fragile surfaces before any person steps onto the roof. Brief all workers on the location of fragile areas. No person to walk on any surface not confirmed structurally sound. | Moderate | Site Supervisor |
| Adverse weather conditions (wind, wet surfaces, lightning) | High | Check Bureau of Meteorology forecast before each shift. Cease all roof work if wind speeds exceed 40 km/h, if lightning is within 8 km, or if surfaces are wet and cannot be dried. Establish a weather monitoring procedure and assign a responsible person to check conditions every 2 hours. All workers to descend immediately upon deteriorating conditions. | Low | Site Supervisor |
2.Setting up fall protection systems
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure of anchor point during fall arrest | Catastrophic | Only use anchor points rated to AS/NZS 1891.4 (minimum 15 kN static load). Inspect all anchor points before each use for corrosion, cracking, and secure fixing. Where existing anchors cannot be verified, install temporary engineered anchor devices. Document anchor inspection on the SWMS checklist. Never connect more workers to an anchor than its rated capacity permits. | Moderate | Competent Person / Supervisor |
| Incorrect harness fitting resulting in suspension trauma or fall | High | All workers must hold a current Working at Heights certificate (or equivalent). Conduct buddy-check harness inspection before each ascent — check all buckles, D-rings, leg loops, and lanyard connections. Demonstrate correct donning procedure at toolbox talk. Harnesses must be replaced if damaged or if they have been subjected to a fall arrest event. | Low | Worker / Supervisor |
3.Ascending and descending ladder to roof
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladder slip or tip causing fall | Catastrophic | Use a ladder rated to AS/NZS 1892. Secure top of ladder to structure using dedicated ladder clamps or safety rope — never rely on leaning alone. Extend ladder at least 1 metre above the landing point. Set ladder at 1:4 ratio (75°). Place ladder feet on firm level ground using non-slip feet or a ladder mat on soft or uneven surfaces. Spotter to hold base of ladder during ascent and descent. Only one person on ladder at a time. Maintain three points of contact at all times. | Low | Worker / Spotter |
| Carrying tools and materials while climbing | High | Never carry items that compromise three-point contact on a ladder. Use a tool belt, tool bag worn across the body, or a materials hoist/rope line to raise and lower all tools and materials separately. Large or heavy items must be hoisted mechanically. All tools to be tethered when on roof. | Low | Worker |
4.Performing maintenance tasks on roof surface
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worker fall from roof edge | Catastrophic | Install edge protection (perimeter guardrails, scaffolding, or safety mesh) on all unprotected edges before work commences where practicable. Where edge protection cannot be installed, workers must be connected to a rated anchor via an inertia reel or work positioning lanyard at all times. Maintain a minimum 2-metre exclusion zone from unprotected edges unless connected to fall arrest. Install warning line system with bunting as secondary warning at 2 m from edge. | Moderate | Site Supervisor / Worker |
| Dropping tools or debris onto persons below | High | Establish and barricade an exclusion zone at ground level extending at least 6 metres beyond the roof edge. Erect signage at all entry points to exclusion zone. All tools to be tethered via tool lanyards rated to the tool weight. Debris to be placed in secured bags or containers and lowered by rope — never thrown from roof. Spotter at ground level to control access to exclusion zone at all times. | Low | Spotter / Site Supervisor |
5.Emergency rescue and evacuation from roof
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worker suspended in harness with no rescue plan in place | Catastrophic | Before work commences, prepare a written rescue plan specific to the site and post it at the site entry. Assign a trained rescue worker on site who has completed rescue from height training. Ensure rescue equipment (rescue kit, anchor extension, descent device) is on site and accessible. Conduct a rescue drill if any workers are unfamiliar with the procedure. Contact emergency services immediately if rescue cannot be completed within 5 minutes — suspension trauma can be fatal. | Moderate | Site Supervisor / Rescue Officer |
| Injury during emergency descent | High | First aid kit to be located at the base of the work area and checked before work starts. At least one worker on site must hold a current Senior First Aid certificate. Ensure unobstructed access for emergency vehicles to the site. All workers briefed on emergency contact numbers (000) and nearest hospital location before work commences. | Low | First Aid Officer / Site Supervisor |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.