This article about whether you are required to install anchor points.
Table of Contents:
- QUESTION: How can we evaluate a resident’s request to install a duct in the common roof space without compromising the building’s safety and insurance coverage?
- QUESTION: When performing high-risk work such as working on the roof, are contractors required to provide a safe work method statement? Are contractors also required to produce a Working at Heights licence?
- QUESTION: We are 12 townhouses in NSW. Do we have to install anchor points on each roof? If not, how does this impact on our insurance policy if a worker sustains injury while working on the roof?
Question: How can we evaluate a resident’s request to install a duct in the common roof space without compromising the building’s safety and insurance coverage?
Our unit block features a tiled roof with limited roof space. This space is essential for accessing common elements like the antenna and video intercom systems and for conducting roof repairs. A locked manhole secures the access.
A resident requested permission to install a duct for their exhaust fan into the common property roof space. The committee is concerned that this modification does not align with the space’s original design and purpose.
Could alterations like this violate insurance policies and compromise the safety and security of all residents? How do we thoroughly evaluate this request to ensure it doesn’t pose any risks to the building or its occupants?
Answer: The owners should be concerned.
In short, yes. The owners should be concerned as the roof void space above the top floor unit is likely exposed to other units and common property areas. Therefore, anything penetrating through it must be fire-separated from the rest of the building.
This passive fire consideration should be addressed as part of a design stage that gets sent to the owners corporation (OC) for approval before any works are progressed. Noteworthy also that any new penetrations through the roof form a potential for future water ingress, which should be avoided where practicable as such penetrations will need ongoing maintenance at the cost to the OC.
Dominic Dodwell
Valen Projects
E: [email protected]
P: 0488 666 682
This post appears in the November 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Question: When performing high-risk work such as working on the roof, are contractors required to provide a safe work method statement? Are contractors also required to produce a Working at Heights licence?
Answer: Contractors performing high risk construction work are required to have a safe work method statement.
Yes. Contractors performing high risk construction work are required to have a safe work method statement.
Owners should ask the contractor to confirm in writing that they have the necessary licenses, insurance and expertise to perform the work. They should also ask the contractor to confirm they have the required safety management plan for their construction business and the accompanying safe work method statements and will carry out their works in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations. The licence they hold must be strictly relevant to the works they are carrying out.
Owners should not seek to “assess” the work method statement. The obligation is on the contractor to ensure the statement is fit for purpose. Any attempt by owners to “accept” a statement provided to them may be construed as acceptance of the document as compliant and shift responsibility for the compliance of the safe work method statement to the owners.
QIA Group
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 309 201
This post appears in the September 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Question: We are 12 townhouses in NSW. Do we have to install anchor points on each roof? If not, how does this impact on our insurance policy if a worker sustains injury while working on the roof?
Answer: Anchor points should only be installed if there is an expectation to inspect/access the roof on a regular basis.
Anchor points should only be installed if there is an expectation to inspect/access the roof on a regular basis. Anchor points need recertification every 12 months, which is a cost to the owners corp so avoid them if you don’t need them.
Any contractors undertaking works on a roof (roofing/solar/other) should install temporary systems to facilitate their installation or maintenance (edge protection, temp anchors, temp static lines etc) and/or propose permanent installations that should be considered for future maintenance of the systems/equipment that they install.
Also note that any worker who accesses a roof and/or works in a fall restraint/arrest should be qualified to work at heights and their equipment should also be tagged and in good condition.
Dominic Dodwell
Valen Projects
E: [email protected]
P: 0488 666 682
This post appears in the April 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
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- NAT: Work Health and Safety in Strata
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