The basic principles of occupational safety are clear: technical protective measures take precedence over organisational and personal measures. A fixed railing along the roof edge is one of the most effective solutions, as it is not dependent on whether individual workers secure themselves correctly. This is precisely where the KRAUSE guardrail system comes into its own. Designed as collective side protection, it creates a safe working environment on flat and industrial roofs as well as in other areas at risk of falls, without employees having to wear personal protective equipment against falls. “Where there is a risk of falling from roof surfaces, collective side protection is the most robust solution because it works regardless of how individuals behave. This is precisely what our guardrail system is designed for: compliant with standards, modular and installable without interfering with the roof membrane,” says KRAUSE Product Management.
Risk assessment as the basis for protective measures
The protective measures required are not determined by routine practice, but by a structured assessment of the risks. In addition to the obvious risk of falling from a height, in practice this also includes the risk of falling through openings, such as skylights, as well as weather-related factors such as wind, wet conditions or heat. Depending on the installation, electrical hazards in the vicinity of PV systems must also be taken into account. The basis for this is a documented risk assessment. This must not be viewed as a one-off document, but must be reviewed and updated whenever changes are made to roof structures or work procedures.
Non-penetrating installation and protection of the roof waterproofing
A key feature of the system is its non-penetrating fixing method. Instead of screwing into the roof waterproofing, concrete or plastic ballast weights provide the necessary stability. Underlayment fleece reduces the risk of pressure marks or damage, ensuring the roof membrane remains intact. This is a significant advantage, particularly for existing buildings and sensitive waterproofing. In existing buildings in particular, an undamaged roof waterproofing is often the decisive factor. Ballasting also allows sensitive roof surfaces to be safely protected without creating new weak points.
Modular system for roof geometries and additional hazard areas
The modular system can be adapted to different roof geometries, including corners at varying angles, parapet steps or roof structures. This enables continuous side protection along relevant fall-risk edges without necessarily requiring special constructions. The same components can also be used to enclose hazard areas such as skylights, shafts or technical installations. Optionally integrable, self-closing access doors facilitate a safe transition from the access route into the protected area. Where there is insufficient parapet height, a toe board can be added to prevent falling objects.
Safe roof access with fixed ladders
In many businesses, access to the roof is via fixed ladders. This means that safety begins on the way up, not just once you reach the roof surface. A slip-resistant, controlled ascent, a safe passage through the ladder, and a defined transition into the protected area are crucial to ensuring that a safety concept works reliably in everyday use. In addition to side protection, KRAUSE also manufactures fixed ladders. This enables operators to plan access and fall protection as an integrated system solution – particularly where roofs are regularly used for maintenance and inspection and access must be controlled organisationally.
Operator responsibility, organisation and record-keeping
Even high-quality technical equipment cannot replace organisational responsibility. An operator’s duties include not only the selection, planning and installation of safety equipment, as well as its periodic inspection, but also the establishment of rules governing access and use. For example, roofs should only be accessed by authorised and trained personnel, and unauthorised access must be prevented through organisational measures. If external contractors are used, responsibility remains with the operator, including the duties of selection and instruction, as well as coordination when several trades are working in parallel. Equally important is the ongoing monitoring of compliance with safety measures, as well as the documentation of training, inspections and maintenance. Because in the event of an incident, it is not only what was in place that counts, but also what can be proven to have been organised and monitored.
Lifecycle effectiveness through inspection and maintenance
The guardrail system meets the requirements of DIN EN 13374 for temporary side protection systems and supports compliance with the Workplace Safety and Industrial Safety Regulations. It is made from extruded aluminium profiles and stainless steel, designed for outdoor use, weather- and corrosion-resistant, and recyclable. To ensure that a roof protection concept remains effective in the long term, technical safety measures must be regularly inspected and maintained.
For operators, this raises not only the question of the right technical solution, but also that of ensuring legally compliant implementation in the long term. Regular inspections are essential for confirming that fall protection systems are in proper working order, identifying wear and tear or changes to the roof structure at an early stage, and ensuring a complete chain of evidence for both internal and external bodies. KRAUSE can undertake these inspection tasks as part of KRAUSE INSPECT – from professional checks and documentation to the identification of specific measures should adjustments be required. Upon request, the documentation can also be supported digitally, for example through wosatec’s solutions for the inspection of work equipment. This ensures that the inspection process is not unnecessarily complicated in day-to-day operations.
A holistic approach also requires that, in an emergency, it is clear how to respond, as safety on the roof is always a matter of rescue capability and defined procedures.
The interplay of technology, access and organisation
A collective side protection along the roof edge is more than just a matter of compliance. It is a key component of modern safety concepts, as it provides protection regardless of individual behaviour and significantly simplifies work processes. However, roof use only becomes sustainably safe when technology, access, training, coordination and record-keeping are understood and operated as an integrated system. With KRAUSE, all the necessary components and services come together – from safe roof access and collective side protection to inspection and documentation, all from a single source.