An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a fragile roof risk assessment is
A fragile roof risk assessment examines work on or near roofs and surfaces — such as rooflights, old asbestos cement sheets and corroded materials — that may not bear a person’s weight, and records the access, working platforms, edge protection and fall arrest that prevent falls through or from the roof.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their fragile roof assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify fragile surfaces and the risk of falling through.
- Decide whether the work can avoid going on the roof at all.
- Record access, platforms, coverings and fall protection.
- Plan for rooflights, edges and rescue.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer, experienced in roof work.
- With input from those who carry out the work.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- Before work on or near a roof that may be fragile.
- When the roof, method or conditions change.
- Following an inspection or survey finding.
- After an incident or near miss involving a roof.
Typical fields
- Roof, materials and the task.
- Fragile surfaces, rooflights and edges.
- Whether roof access can be avoided.
- Access, platforms, coverings and fall protection.
- Rescue plan and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the roof and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a roof is sound without checking the materials.
- Walking on fragile sheets or unguarded rooflights.
- No platforms, coverings or edge protection.
- No rescue plan for a fall arrested by a harness.
Document workflow
A fragile roof risk assessment links closely to the working at height risk assessment and the method statement, and feeds the safe system of work. It may reference an asbestos survey for older roofs; a change or survey finding triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a fragile roof risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Fragile roof assessments and survey records are generally kept for as long as they are relevant and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Fragile roof assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside the work at height assessment, survey and method statement. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Establish whether roof access can be avoided.
- Identify fragile surfaces and rooflights.
- Provide platforms, coverings and edge protection.
- Plan rescue and review after changes or findings.
Worker notes
- Never walk on a roof assumed sound — follow the assessment.
- Use the platforms, coverings and protection provided.
- Stay clear of rooflights and report any concerns.
Country considerations
Duties around roof work, fragile surfaces and asbestos vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling fragile roof work and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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