A two week farm-safety inspection campaign, led by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), commences today (Monday, November 15) that will focus on safe working at height.

In the agricultural sector alone - over the last decade - there have been 11 fatalities associated with working at height.

According to the HSA's A Review of Work-Related Fatalities in Agriculture in Ireland 2011-2020, 33% of fall-related fatalities were as a result of fragile roofs; 14% were as a result of ladders; 14% of these fatalities were as a result of getting trapped between bales.

In 2020, across all sectors, slipping or falling led to 1,946 work-related incidents - 21% of these were falls from height.

Here, we look at some key considerations and safety precautions to take while carrying out work on roofs.

According to the HSA, a roof is considered fragile if it cannot support the weight of a person, or where part or all of the roof can easily be broken or shattered.

What comprises fragile roofing materials?

Factors to take into account when assessing the risk of roof work include:

Do not undertake any roof work, painting or repairs yourself unless you are competent to do so.

And if you are carrying out such work, you must ensure that:

According to the Health Service Executive, the risk of falling increases with age and one in three people aged over 65 experience a fall every year.

These falls can be caused by the weakening of muscles with age.