Two friend of mine operate businesses and have fitters working for them- one fits upvc products and the other cavity wall insulation, both have been challenged by Hse and have had prohibitions notices issued.
Some of the lads have been stood on flat roofs 6m high but because they had no guard rails or scaffold or safety equipment to resist a fall they have fallen foul of safe working.
One of them has challenged why they have been pulled when the white van man and his ladders are getting away with it, they have been informed no one will get away with it.
They have all the equipment , but have still been picked up
They have both had to attend court and are awaiting judgement.
Risk assessments are key on every job
Hse are in full flow and are pulling up companys for unsafe working methods, i would say just standing on a roof without harnesses or protection will land you in trouble.
Just look at Hse prohibition notices issued and it will open your eyes
Safety first above cost- at all times
extract from Hse Website issued against a company operating in this field
"served for lack of edge protection (guardrails or scaffold ) to perimeter of pitched roof and flat roof"
Notice served for working on roof without suitable and sufficient perimeter edge protection(guardrails or similar) to prevent fall laible to cause personal injury,in contravention of HSAW 1974 Sections 2,3 and WAHR 2005 Section 6(3) and 10