Collective protection takes precedence over personal protective equipment
Occupational health and safety regulations and the recognised TOP principle (technical – organisational – personal) stipulate that technical protective measures must be implemented first. A surrounding roof railing as collective side protection offers continuous protection to all persons on the roof without them having to actively do anything themselves. In contrast to personal protective equipment against falls from a height (PPE), there is no risk that a worker could forget to strap themselves in or put on the equipment incorrectly. Collective protection is compulsory and permanent, whereas PPE always depends on correct use by the individual. For this reason, both European standards and German regulations stipulate that collective solutions such as railings are preferable to the use of harnesses, provided this is technically possible. Fixed fall protection systems are mandatory on roofs with a fall height of three metres or more, but the risk should not be underestimated even at lower heights. A permanently installed side protection system provides a remedy here and ensures a safe working environment on the roof without restricting the freedom of movement of employees.
Temporary or permanent: flexible fall protection for flat roofs
Depending on the situation, a roof fall protection system can either remain permanently installed or be used only temporarily. The KRAUSE guardrail system is designed as collective side protection and can be used for both permanent safety measures and temporary work. It is suitable for flat roofs and roof pitches of up to ten degrees and can be adapted to virtually any roof geometry thanks to its modular design. Thanks to the modular principle, corners can be created at any angle and even slight differences in height – such as attic ledges or roof structures – can be compensated for. This creates seamless side protection along all fall edges, tailored precisely to the conditions on site. If necessary, the system can also be expanded or modified at any time, for example if roof structures change or additional safety areas need to be created. The railing can remain permanently installed for regular maintenance work. If it is only to be used temporarily for a project, it can be removed without leaving any traces once the work is complete – the roof remains undamaged.
Installation without roof penetration – safety without leaving marks
A key feature of the KRAUSE protective guardrail system is its penetration-free installation. The 1.10 m high railing made of aluminium and stainless steel is held securely in place by ballast weights. These special weights made of UV-resistant concrete or robust plastic serve as counterweights. Since no holes need to be drilled in the roof waterproofing, the roof covering remains intact and there are no weak points for moisture to penetrate. A protective fleece is placed under each weight to prevent pressure marks or scratches on the roof waterproofing. This means that the railing can be completely dismantled without leaving any residue if necessary. Assembly and dismantling are practical and straightforward: all components are joined together with simple screw connections and can be assembled using standard tools. Depending on the size of the roof, typical installations can be completed by small teams within a few hours or days. Wall mounting at the end of the railing is optional, but not absolutely necessary. Thanks to maximum post spacing of up to 2.5 m, few elements and weights are required. This further speeds up installation and makes efficient use of materials.
The same system can be used to secure other hazardous areas in addition to the roof edge. For example, skylights, open shafts or machinery can be protected with the aid of surrounding railing segments. The same ballast weights are used for this purpose. If necessary, a self-closing access door can be added to allow authorised persons to enter the secured area. Such a door element is particularly helpful if access to the roof is via a ladder. The ladder itself should comply with the applicable standards and be equipped with back protection or fall protection for higher climbs. The protective guardrail system enables a seamless transition at the exit point of the ladder: the door element prevents a gap in the railing, so that users of the ladder are immediately enclosed by the collective safety system. On request, the railing can also be equipped with a footrail if there is no parapet. This protects against falling tools or materials and meets the requirements of the professional associations if there is no adequate edge closure on the roof. Overall, the installation of the side protection leaves no permanent marks on the building – a plus point for sustainability and building protection.
Efficient and practical: working safely on roofs
The high benefits of collective side protection are evident in practice. Users such as tradespeople, fitters or building cleaners can concentrate on their actual work without having to constantly hook themselves onto fall protection ropes or watch their step at the edge of the roof. For example, a technician can work freely and unhindered when maintaining an air conditioning system on the roof, as the surrounding railing protects him at all times. This eliminates the time-consuming task of reattaching carabiners to anchor points and reduces stress and the risk of accidents. Safety officers and occupational safety specialists also benefit: with a permanently installed system, fall protection on the roof is active at all times. They need to plan fewer organisational measures and can rely on the technical protective measure always being effective. Operations managers and building planners appreciate the possibility of using the system as needed – temporarily for projects or permanently for roofs that are regularly accessed. Since no costly conversions are necessary and installation can be carried out without heavy equipment, operational processes are hardly affected. Last but not least, reliable fall protection also means economic efficiency, as accidents that can lead to downtime, follow-up costs and possible liability issues are avoided. Investments in collective protection pay off through a higher level of safety and smoother work processes.
A brief look into the future shows that the issue of occupational safety on roofs is becoming increasingly important. Even in the planning phase of new buildings, architects are paying increasing attention to integrated fall protection solutions. If, for example, a roof is to be equipped with solar technology or building services, safe access routes and walkways must be provided from the outset. In this case, a system such as the KRAUSE guardrail system can be planned ex works or retrofitted to ensure permanently legally compliant working conditions. Compliance with relevant standards – such as DIN 4426 for permanent safety equipment or DIN EN 13374 for temporary side protection systems – is not an end in itself, but serves to protect human life and makes it easier for operators to fulfil their obligations.
Compliant with standards, durable and sustainable
The protective guardrail system was specifically developed in accordance with current standards and occupational safety regulations. It meets the requirements of DIN EN 13374:2019 for temporary side protection systems and complies with the criteria of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Workplace Ordinance and the Industrial Safety Ordinance. For users, this means that all components meet the prescribed load tests and quality standards. This is important, for example, for official approvals or repeat tests. The materials used – high-strength extruded aluminium profiles and stainless steel – make the system weather- and corrosion-resistant. Rain, UV radiation and frost cannot damage the railing. Even after years of outdoor use, its function and stability remain intact. The total weight per metre of railing is low, so that only a minimal surface load is exerted on the roof. Older or lightweight roof structures in particular benefit from this low additional weight. In addition, the material is 100% recyclable and therefore particularly sustainable. If the protective guardrail is no longer needed, all parts can be returned to the recycling cycle or reused for other projects.
Another advantage is evident in the details: on request, the KRAUSE side protection railing can function as part of a lightning protection system. It can be integrated into a lightning protection concept as a natural conductor in accordance with DIN EN 62305-3, as the conductive railing segments can divert lightning currents when connected correctly. For the user, this means a dual function – fall protection and lightning protection in one – without the need to install additional components. This example underlines the holistic approach of the system: safety, efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.
Planning and inspection from a single source
To ensure that a roof fall protection system remains effective in the long term, a one-time installation is not sufficient. KRAUSE therefore not only supports its customers in the planning stage, but also takes care of regular inspection of the systems. The Industrial Safety Regulation stipulates that technical protective measures must be checked at specified intervals to ensure that they are in proper working order. With the KRAUSE INSPECT service, specially trained specialists offer recurring inspection and documentation. This ensures that the protective railing systems comply with legal requirements at all times and that any defects are detected at an early stage.
Practical examples illustrate the range of applications: in logistics centres, surrounding railings secure the roof areas of large warehouses; in hospitals, they enable safe access to air conditioning and emergency power systems; and in residential construction, caretakers benefit from reliable collective protection when working on lift machine rooms or photovoltaic systems. With a combination of individual planning, professional installation and continuous testing, operators receive a solution that offers maximum safety not only during installation, but also throughout the entire life cycle.
Work safely and efficiently thanks to collective fall protection
Collective fall protection on the roof pays off for everyone involved – whether tradespeople, safety engineers or construction planners – in several ways. The guardrail system from KRAUSE is a prime example of how maximum safety, practical handling and sustainability can be combined. Without damaging the roof structure, a fall protection system can be installed in no time at all, reliably protecting everyone on the roof. Thanks to its modularity and expandability, the system remains flexible and future-proof, while its robust construction offers long-term protection. With a solution like this, companies not only fulfil their legal obligations, but also demonstrate responsibility for their employees – something that pays off immensely in an emergency.
Further information on collective protection with roof railings, tailor-made project solutions and seminar and inspection services is available on the KRAUSE website. A project planning data sheet is also available for download there. The required parameters can be entered quickly and easily in this form to obtain a quote for the protective railing system.