Regulations require fall protection as soon as there is a risk of 3 meters, but level changes on a roof are sometimes overlooked when securing the area. Yet, they represent a danger as significant as roof edges and deserve special attention. This transportation company in Edmonton understood this well and chose to enhance the safety of its installations. Through our collaboration with our partners at Gravisys, we were able to design a custom solution by adapting our VSS Compact guardrail system to effectively secure their level changes and roof ladder.
Effectively Securing a Roof Ladder
The CN building in Edmonton had a level change of more than 3 meters, with access to the upper level via a roof ladder lacking protection. To ensure user safety when entering and exiting the roof ladder, a freestanding guardrail system was recommended. Fully self-supporting, this system requires no perforation of the roof membrane, thus preserving its waterproofing. It consists of VSS Compact guardrails installed on either side of the roof ladder, as well as a 2-meter secure walkway guiding the user toward the center of the roof, where they are safe. This type of solution is particularly effective in securing roof ladders, which are often left unprotected.
Level Change Not to Be Overlooked
The intermediate roof of this building is a key passage point, housing the interior access door leading to the roof. With frequent comings and goings on this surface, it was essential to secure the entire edge that posed a fall risk, rather than limiting protection to 10 feet on each side of the roof ladder. The solution implemented includes a 40-foot VSS Compact freestanding guardrail, with a secure corridor to access the roof ladder. A VSS Compact self-supporting guardrail system must always end with a 5-foot return to ensure the system’s integrity. However, in this specific case, a standard return would have blocked the roof access door. Our experts adapted the system by shifting and shortening the return while adding an extra rubber base to ensure stability and compliance with current standards. Thanks to this customization, the roof ladder and its surroundings are now optimally secured.
Conclusion
Calling on fall protection experts is essential to ensure that all installations posing a fall risk are secured, whether it’s a mechanical unit, a level change, or a roof ladder. Safety at height should never be overlooked, no matter the situation. This project in Edmonton perfectly illustrates the flexibility of Delta Prevention solutions and the expertise of our team when it comes to adapting a system to specific needs. Even projects that seem simple can bring their share of challenges, and that’s where our know-how allows us to provide effective and compliant solutions, ensuring optimal protection.
