Is there any consideration more crucial in the construction industry than safety? Quite rightly, one of the key concerns capturing headlines in recent years has been sustainability, but this together with cost/benefit issues of the quality and performance of the materials specified is just one of the cornerstones of an ethical working practice. The industry must develop and adhere to holistic solutions that help to ensure every essential box is ticked and to this end DuPont has developed a new product, DuPont Tyvek Supro HS.
The harsh facts tell us that construction accounts for the highest number of fatalities in the main industry groups and falls from height are the most common type of such injury.
Government guidelines tell us: “Working on any roof is a hazardous activity, irrespective of whether it is fragile or non fragile. Roofers are particularly at risk within the industry and falls through fragile materials are identified as a serious problem.”
Clearly it’s not possible in many circumstances to entirely eliminate the risk of any fall when working at height. Human error and unforeseen events cannot be legislated for, but proper preparation, site vigilance, training and the use of safety-conscious equipment and materials can greatly reduce both the risk and the severity of injury should any accidents occur. As falls through ‘fragile roofs’ account for 22% of all the deaths that result from a fall from height in the construction industry, HSE Guidelines outline key considerations and measures that those in control of the work must put into place.
These include the use of “collective protection systems such as scaffolds, nets and soft landing systems,” which have advantages over measures designed only to protect the individual (e.g. harnesses) because such “passive” systems do not place the onus on the individual to activate (ie. Clip on a harness). A “fragile material” is defined as “one that does not safely support the weight of a person and any load they are carrying.
The fragility of a roof does not depend solely on the composition of the material in it, the following factors are also important: thickness of the material; the span between supports; sheet profile; the type, number, position and quality of fixings; the design of the supporting structure, eg the purlins; and the age of the material.”
Therefore, with even greater stress on construction companies to do all in their power to ensure a safe working environment – and onerous financial and legal potential penalties if any liability is found – it makes sense to specify products that aim for the highest standards of quality, environmental regulations and health & safety. When fitting a roofing underlay, the right membrane can make all the difference, not only to the long-term performance and integrity of the roof, in terms of sustainability, weather protection, breathability and interior comfort, but also to improved worker protection.
Due to be launched in early spring 2010, DuPont Tyvek Supro HS is a new version of the vapour-open, watertight underlay that builds on its existing inherent strength by adding a reinforcing grid. Designed for use in pitched roof construction, this high strength adaptation features not only the unique functional single layer that makes DuPont Tyvek so crucially different, but also a heavy-duty polyester/latex lamination. This reinforcement, together with specially developed ribbed nails, offers extra protection in the event of a fall or of dropped tools.
Provided correct installation is undertaken, the use of DuPont Tyvek Supro HS can not only protect the building envelope from wind, dust and moisture, but can also help to guard precious human life and health.
For more information on the DuPont Tyvek family of high-performance membranes, tapes, sealants and accessories, please visit www.tyvek.co.uk or call 01275 879 770.
This article was brought to you by Sightlines – The Official Magazine of LABC
