Picture this scenario: you’re carrying out routine maintenance on a rooftop. You step forward and the surface beneath you suddenly gives way. It’s not the roof itself that has collapsed – it’s a skylight that’s been hidden under a layer of dirt and is impossible to see at first glance. Sadly, this scenario is all too common, and it remains one of the leading causes of falls from height in the UK.
Installing skylight covers is one of the most effective ways to control this risk, helping to protect your workers, contractors, and anyone else who needs to carry out rooftop tasks. Today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about skylight protection, and explain how our skylight covers can help you create a safer rooftop environment.
What are skylight covers?
Skylight covers, also referred to as skylight safety panels, are protective barriers that are installed over rooflights to prevent accidental falls. They’re specifically designed to withstand the weight of a person so that even if someone steps directly on top of the rooflight, they won’t fall through it.
Skylight safety panels are typically used wherever rooftop access is required and skylights pose a risk. They’re especially common on commercial and industrial buildings, warehouses with multiple rooflights, and facilities like data centres or utilities where your maintenance personnel need to service the roof. They’re also increasingly sought after for rooftop solar installations, where engineers frequently work around fragile skylights during panel fitting and maintenance. They can also be retrofitted on older buildings, allowing you to make fragile skylights safe without needing to carry out any major building work.
Why skylight protection is essential
According to the HSE, falls through fragile surfaces (including skylights and rooflights) account for over a fifth of all fatal falls from height. Unlike other obvious hazards on the roof, like open edges or plant equipment, skylights can be difficult to spot – particularly in poor lighting or weather conditions. They can be easily hidden by dirt, leaves, or snow, making them an almost invisible danger until it’s too late.
Without appropriate skylight protection in place, anybody who is carrying out roof inspections, maintenance, or servicing equipment risks a potentially fatal fall. This is why you must take proactive steps to eliminate these hazards with a rooflight cover system.
Key benefits of skylight safety panels
There’s a whole host of reasons why you should consider installing skylight protection on your roof. Here are just a few:
- Skylight covers offer reliable fall protection to prevent your maintenance staff from falling through fragile rooflights
- Skylight mesh and fixings are made from strong, non-corrosive materials, with minimal maintenance required
- They’re incredibly durable and are designed to withstand both foot traffic and the effects of UV exposure
- You don’t need to make any changes to the structure of your roof, making them quick and easy to install
- They’re extremely adaptable and can be cut to size to suit your specific requirements
- Compared to the hefty fines you may need to fork out if a fatal fall occurs, skylight covers are extremely cost-effective
By installing skylight safety panels, you’re not only protecting your people but also ensuring full compliance with the UK fall protection standards, helping to reduce liability, avoid costly fines, and demonstrate your commitment to worker safety.
Keep your workforce safe with our skylight protection solutions
Searching for reliable rooflight covers in the UK? At Katt Safety, we specialise in creating permanent, robust skylight protection solutions for working at height. Our skylight covers are made from strong yet lightweight aluminium mesh, ensuring maximum durability without adding unnecessary load to your roof structure. Designed and fabricated in line with all relevant BS standards and HSE guidelines, our skylight covers give you complete peace of mind that your workforce is safe and you are fully compliant with rooftop safety regulations.
Our flat skylight covers are available in standard mesh sizes including 1250 x 2060mm and 1250 x 3080mm, and we also offer a dedicated flat skylight mesh fixing kit for secure installation. If these sizes don’t work for your rooftop, the mesh panels can be cut and adjusted to size to ensure a precise fit. Each system is engineered to provide permanent fall protection, without compromising natural light flow into your building.
Browse our full range of skylight covers and get ready to make your rooftop maintenance tasks safer and more efficient.
