In short:
Katt Safety’s rooftop stepovers allow your engineers, maintenance teams, and contractors to move around your site safely without being exposed to avoidable slip, trip, or fall hazards. They provide a compliant and durable way to navigate on-site obstacles, creating safe, uninterrupted access routes across rooftops, plant rooms, and industrial spaces.
Rooftops, plant rooms, and industrial environments are all full of obstacles that can make routine maintenance tasks more hazardous than they need to be. Pipework, ducting, cable trays, and changes in levels mean that workers often need to climb over equipment or take unsafe shortcuts, which significantly increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Roof stepovers create clear and predictable routes that eliminate these risks and keep your maintenance teams moving safely.
In this blog, we explore the most common applications of rooftop stepovers, the hazards they’re designed to eliminate, and why our modular systems are the perfect solution for your site.
What are rooftop stepovers?
Rooftop stepovers or industrial step over systems are purpose-built structures that are designed to help workers safely navigate obstacles and trip hazards in elevated or high-traffic areas. They’re made up of a safe access platform, anti-slip treads, guardrails, and supporting legs that are configured to suit the specific environment.
What are stepovers used for?
Many rooftops and industrial spaces are cluttered with obstacles that can’t just be moved or re-routed. Even the smallest maintenance tasks can expose your workers to a number of hazards that dramatically increase the risk of accidents and equipment damage. Here’s what stepovers are most commonly used for:
Rooftop applications
Rooftops are one of the most common locations for stepovers. This is because they often host multiple systems and services that can obstruct walking routes. Stepovers can be used on rooftops to help your workforce:
- Cross over duct runs, pipe chases, and cable trays
- Navigate changes in roof level or step-up to higher sections
- Safely move around solar PV installations
- Avoid fragile or restricted areas around plant clusters
- Access HVAC units, ventilation fans, and maintenance points
Rooftop stepovers can also be combined with rooftop walkway systems to provide a fully controlled, non-slip route across the entire roof.
Industrial & HVAC applications
Stepovers are also used in fast-paced industrial facilities where floor-level obstacles are commonplace. Industrial step over systems are used in manufacturing, processing, logistics, and warehouse settings to help your team avoid:
- Conveyor systems
- Bunded areas
- Large-diameter pipework
- Electric cable trays
- Machinery bases
- Elevated inspection or control points
Technicians working within HVAC plant areas often need to reach units that are situated behind or above ductwork. Installing a stepover prevents workers from climbing over equipment, which can lead to dangerous falls or cause damage to equipment.
Plant room applications
With limited space and equipment packed closely together, plant rooms can be some of the most congested areas in a building. Stepovers provide a safe and predictable means of reaching:
- Control valves and gauges
- Pump sets
- Boilers and heat exchangers
- Filter housings
- Cable management systems
- Inspection hatches or ceiling-level access points
A well-planned layout of stepovers and modular platforms helps to keep foot traffic moving in plant rooms, preventing slips, trips, and accidental contact with equipment.
Why choose Katt Safety’s rooftop stepovers for your site?
Our aluminium stepover systems are exceptionally strong yet lightweight, offering excellent durability and resistance to corrosion. Whether your personnel need to cross pipework, navigate congested plant rooms, or establish safe routes across a busy rooftop, our modular systems give you the reliability and flexibility you need to keep your workforce safe.
Choose from our standard stepovers featuring anti-slip walkway mesh, stable platforms, robust guardrails, and fully adjustable stairs, or our step bridges with additional dual RL70 ships ladders. Each system can be designed using supports, or as a free-standing construction with adjustable stair heights to suit your specific bridge requirements. All our stepovers are supplied in kit form or as a pre-assembled system, so all you need to do is place the stepover in position and secure.
Not sure which stepover system is right for your site? Get in touch to discuss your requirements and our expert team will help you find the perfect solution for your environment.
