Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E): Employers are required to conduct a RI&E to identify and evaluate the risks to the safety and health of employees. This includes risks related to working at height, such as falls from the green roof.

Fall Hazard: Employers must take measures to prevent or mitigate fall hazards, for example by installing collective fall protection systems such as guardrails, railings, or safety nets.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): If fall hazards cannot be eliminated, employees must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety harnesses, lifelines, and fall arrest devices. Employers are responsible for providing this PPE and ensuring its correct use.

Instruction and Training: Employers must provide employees with adequate instruction and training regarding safe working at height, including the proper use of fall protection equipment and emergency procedures.

Supervision and Control: Employers must supervise compliance with safety regulations and ensure that employees work safely according to the established procedures.

Failure to comply with the regulations of the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) can lead to legal and financial consequences for employers, including fines and liability for accidents or health problems resulting from unsafe working conditions. Therefore, it is essential for employers and employees to be aware of their responsibilities and the applicable rules regarding occupational safety on green roofs.

Install Fall Protection Before Installing a Green Roof:

Risk Analysis: A fall protection specialist conducts a thorough risk analysis (RI&E) to identify potential hazards on the future green roof, such as the risk of falling from edges, roof access hatches, or maintenance areas. Knowing in advance how the green roof will be arranged is useful. This way, potential hazards can be eliminated early. For example, consider accessibility in areas with high vegetation.

Design and Planning: Design a fall protection system that is suitable for the specific type of green roof and the layout of your building. Besides safe roof access, consider various options. This includes edge protection, anchor points, lifeline and rail systems, or safety nets, depending on the needs of your roof and its users. Also, take into account skylights, which can pose hidden fall hazards in a vegetated roof. Fall protection should almost always be installed directly on the roof structure. Therefore, it is useful to arrange the green roof only after the potential fall protection has been selected and installed.

Installation of Fall Protection: Engage a fall protection specialist, for example, one of our certified partners, for the installation of the fall protection system. They ensure that the system is correctly installed according to manufacturer and safety regulations. The fall protection specialist will also select the necessary fall protection PPE.

By following this structured approach, you can ensure that the green roof is not only environmentally and aesthetically beneficial but also safe for those who will work on it.