When someone sits, stands, walks, or falls on top of a skylight, chances are it will not support that person’s weight. In addition, what is below the skylight is typically a very long drop. When working around a skylight, your workers must address its presence even if their work is not directly related to the skylight. The smallest misstep could lead to a fall resulting in a major injury or worse.
What your employees need to know about working around skylights
Even though skylights leave no obvious openings on the roof, the plastic “bubbles” that cover the skylights can lead to a false sense of security. Workers may see the glass or plastic covering and believe it is strong enough to withstand their weight. However, as the UV rays from the sun hit the plastic covers on the skylights, the sun’s rays can make the plastic covers very brittle. On the other hand, some skylights lay flat, flush with the roof, and are difficult to see. If a worker accidentally steps onto or falls into the plastic bubble, or flat covering of a skylight, there is a good chance the covering will break, leading to a potentially catastrophic fall.
Another concern related to the plastic bubbles that cover skylights is that these raised coverings can be tripping hazards – especially if someone is not paying attention to where they are walking.
