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The phone call no health and safety manager wants to receive: "Your edge protection system has failed its annual inspection." Yet across the UK, we're seeing a troubling increase in inspection failures, particularly as new standards like BS 13700:2021 reshape the compliance landscape.
After decades of designing, installing, and maintaining edge protection systems, we've identified the recurring issues that trip up even the most safety-conscious organisations. More importantly, we know how to prevent them.
When an edge protection system fails inspection, the immediate concern isn't just the paperwork headache. Work stops. Access restrictions kick in. Your maintenance schedule crumbles. In some cases, we've seen clients face project delays costing thousands whilst remedial work is completed.
The knock-on effects extend far beyond the initial failure notice. Insurance implications, regulatory scrutiny, and the reputational damage of being seen as non-compliant can haunt organisations for years.
Modular Kee Safety systems are designed for quick, low-disruption installation around operational rooftop equipment.
The Problem: Since BS 13700:2021 came into force, wind load calculations have become mandatory for permanent counterweighted guardrail systems. Yet we regularly encounter installations where no site-specific calculations exist.
Why It Happens: Many organisations assume their edge protection supplier has handled this automatically. Others rely on generic calculations that don't account for their specific building height, exposure, and topography.
The Fix: Every permanent free-standing system requires site-specific wind load calculations complying with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005+A1:2010. At Kee Safety, we provide these calculations free of charge with every Kee Guard free-standing system installation, removing this compliance burden entirely.
| Wind Load Calculation Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Reference | BS EN 1991-1-4:2005+A1:2010 |
| Site Factors | Building height, location, topography, exposure level |
| Documentation | Must be specific to installation site |
| Validity Period | Valid for life of installation unless modifications made |
The Problem: Edge protection systems are classified under different standards depending on their intended use and duration. We've encountered numerous failures where temporary systems were being used as permanent installations, or where Class A systems were installed on roofs requiring Class B or C protection.
Why It Happens: The distinction between temporary and permanent systems, and between different classes under EN 13374, creates confusion. Many specifiers aren't aware that BS 13700 specifically governs permanent free-standing systems.
The Fix: Understanding your system classification is crucial:
Our technical team can assess your specific requirements and ensure correct system specification from the outset.
The Problem: Physical damage, corrosion, or component wear that affects the system's load-bearing capacity.
Common Issues We See:
The Fix: Regular maintenance schedules prevent most structural issues. However, when problems arise:
Immediate Actions:
Long-term Solutions:
The Problem: Guardrail height below minimum requirements or gaps exceeding maximum allowable dimensions.
Critical Measurements:
Why Measurements Fail:
The Fix: Annual dimensional checks should form part of your inspection protocol. When measurements fall outside acceptable tolerances, component replacement or system reconfiguration may be necessary.
The Problem: Incomplete certification, missing installation records, or absent maintenance logs.
Essential Documentation Checklist:
The Fix: Establish a comprehensive documentation system from day one. Digital record-keeping systems help maintain accessibility and prevent loss of critical certification.
Conducting a rooftop risk assessment helps identify key fall hazards and safe access requirements for retrofit planning.
Annual inspections aren't just regulatory box-ticking exercises. They're comprehensive assessments of your system's continued fitness for purpose.
What Inspectors Evaluate:
Pre-Inspection Preparation:
Running your own preliminary checks before the formal inspection can identify issues early:
Investing in compliant, properly maintained edge protection systems costs significantly less than dealing with failures.
Preventive Investment:
Failure Costs:
Some edge protection systems reach the end of their effective life. Warning signs include:
Modern systems like our Kee Guard free-standing range offer significant advantages:
Annual Planning:
Monthly Monitoring:
Documentation Management:
Kee Guard® offers passive fall protection for older buildings without penetrating the roof surface.
Edge protection isn't an area for DIY solutions or amateur installations. The complexity of modern standards, coupled with the serious safety implications, demands professional expertise throughout the system lifecycle.
Our technical team regularly encounters situations where well-intentioned maintenance has inadvertently compromised system integrity. Replacement components that don't match original specifications, modifications that affect load paths, or repairs that breach certification requirements can all trigger inspection failures.
Working with established manufacturers who provide comprehensive support - from initial specification through to end-of-life replacement - reduces these risks significantly.
The most successful organisations we work with treat edge protection as a managed asset rather than a fit-and-forget installation. They understand that proactive maintenance, proper documentation, and professional support create robust systems that consistently pass inspections.
If your system has failed inspection, don't panic. Most issues can be resolved with appropriate professional intervention. However, use this as an opportunity to evaluate whether your current approach to edge protection management is fit for purpose.
For technical guidance on inspection requirements, system upgrades, or comprehensive edge protection solutions, our team brings decades of experience in helping organisations achieve and maintain compliance. Because when it comes to working at height, there's no substitute for getting it right first time.