You are visiting the United Kingdom Kee Safety website from United States. Would you like to go to the United States site?
For many facilities teams, building owners and contractors, upgrading rooftop safety systems is an essential step in maintaining compliance and protecting worker safety. Yet despite its importance, a rooftop safety retrofit is often postponed due to concerns about cost, disruption or uncertainty—especially when the building is occupied and critical operations are ongoing.
The good news is that retrofitting fall protection systems does not need to involve major structural changes or interfere with day-to-day business. With modular equipment, good planning and specialist support, it is entirely possible to upgrade an existing roof safely and efficiently, without halting activity.
This article explains how to approach rooftop retrofit projects in a way that supports health and safety priorities, meets UK compliance requirements, and maintains smooth operation throughout.
Many older buildings, or facilities that have evolved over time, were never designed with rooftop access in mind. Yet today, access to rooftops is common—whether for maintaining rooftop HVAC units, inspecting solar arrays, replacing mechanical equipment, or improving energy efficiency.
When these roofs lack appropriate fall protection, building owners face increased liability and operational risk. Unsafe access routes, unprotected edges, and unsecured roof hatches can lead to serious hazards for maintenance teams, contractors and third-party engineers.
In practice, the need for rooftop safety upgrades often arises from:
Routine inspection or internal audits
Changes in how the roof is used (e.g. adding PV panels or new plant)
Increased traffic due to energy consumption monitoring or environmental upgrades
A renewed focus on OSHA compliant and BS EN certified systems
Feedback from safety officers or concerns raised by staff
Whatever the trigger, addressing rooftop safety is not just a regulatory task—it is a practical investment in long-term facility health and workforce wellbeing.
Conducting a rooftop risk assessment helps identify key fall hazards and safe access requirements for retrofit planning.
Every retrofit should begin with a site-specific risk assessment. This helps identify where hazards exist and what type of safe access is needed. Key issues often include:
Exposed perimeter edges on flat or sloped roofs
Poorly protected roof hatches
Ladders without gates or compliant top rail protection
Obstructed routes around ducts, cables and mechanical systems
Fragile roof surfaces or skylights
Difficulties navigating the roof floor during maintenance
At this stage, it is essential to consider not only the structure itself, but also how the roof is accessed, who uses it, and how often. A proper risk assessment sets the foundation for choosing suitable retrofit systems.
Kee Safety supports customers with this process by offering hazard identification surveys, expert design input and layout proposals tailored to the building’s existing structure.
The most effective retrofit projects use modular, freestanding or clamp-based safety systems that can be installed on an existing roof without penetrating the waterproof membrane or requiring major construction.
Key solutions include:
Kee Guard®: A counterbalanced edge protection system offering passive fall protection. It installs without roof penetration and is well suited for both standard roof types and older buildings.
Kee Guard® offers passive fall protection for older buildings without penetrating the roof surface.
Kee Walk®: Modular rooftop walkways that provide slip-resistant paths for workers. They are ideal for protecting fragile surfaces and improving safe access across uneven roofs.
Kee Gate®: Self-closing gates that fit to ladders, roof hatches and access transitions. These gates are OSHA compliant, EN 14122-3 certified, and adjustable to fit on-site conditions.
Kee Step®: Platform systems and step-overs that create safe routes over pipework, ducts and other rooftop hazards.
Because these systems are modular and made from galvanised or powder-coated steel, they offer durability in exposed conditions and can be installed with minimal disruption to the facility below.
One of the main concerns during a rooftop safety retrofit is the potential for downtime. However, with careful planning and the right team, installation can be carried out in phases or outside core working hours.
Kee Safety installers are trained to work safely around operational sites, including those with live HVAC systems, sensitive mechanical areas, or ongoing production. Using pre-assembled components, temporary access routes and mobile work platforms, the team can deliver retrofit solutions that avoid delays, protect equipment, and meet project timelines.
For buildings in healthcare, education or logistics, this flexibility is critical. Business continuity remains intact while the roof is brought up to modern safety standards.
Modular Kee Safety systems are designed for quick, low-disruption installation around operational rooftop equipment.
Compliance is more than just fitting guardrails or gates. Building owners must also maintain up-to-date documentation to demonstrate that installed systems meet legal safety requirements.
This includes:
Confirmation of standards met (BS EN 14122-3, BS EN 516, BS 4211, OSHA)
CE marking for relevant components
Risk assessments, installation records and maintenance schedules
Evidence of inspections and ongoing system checks
Kee Safety provides all supporting details and documentation needed to help facilities stay audit-ready and compliant with both UK regulations and international standards.
A successful rooftop safety retrofit offers more than compliance. It supports safer operations, reduces the risk of falls, and makes routine maintenance simpler and safer for contractors and internal teams.
Additional benefits include:
Improved access to rooftop equipment, supporting better energy efficiency and lower energy consumption
Easier movement across the roof, thanks to walkways and clear routes
Confidence that workers and third-party contractors are protected during their work
Reduced insurance and liability concerns
Enhanced value and longevity of the building itself
Retrofitting safety systems is not just a legal requirement—it’s a practical investment in the integrity of your facility.
Retrofitting rooftop safety systems doesn’t have to involve complicated construction or operational downtime. With the right approach, building owners and safety managers can upgrade existing structures quickly, safely and with minimal disruption.
By choosing tested, modular systems from Kee Safety—and by working with a team experienced in retrofit planning—clients can meet compliance obligations while improving day-to-day safety on the roof.
Contact Kee Safety today to book a rooftop assessment or learn more about retrofit solutions tailored to your facility.