Lifelines on Artistic Heritage

How can operator safety be ensured during routine and extraordinary maintenance operations on roofs protected as artistic heritage?

In Italy, Legislative Decree No. 81 of 2008, known as the “Consolidated Law on Workplace Safety,” aims to establish uniform protection standards for workers throughout the national territory. This applies to all sectors, including maintenance operations and transit on flat roofs.

Flat roofs represent a serious fall hazard for operators who need to intervene or even just pass through. Therefore, adequate measures of fall prevention and protection must be planned in accordance with current regulations.

SPIDER can provide tailored design, turnkey supply, installation, and maintenance of fall protection systems such as lifelines or fall arrest systems for loading bays.

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In the context of work at height, reliability and safety are essential. For this reason, relying on industry specialists can be a huge advantage for your company.

When it comes to work at height, the technical complexity and associated risks are high. Regulatory requirements, risk management, staff training, equipment selection and maintenance – these are all aspects that require specific and up-to-date expertise.

By relying on specialists, you not only ensure compliance with current regulations but also benefit from the experience and technical skills these professionals bring. They can identify and mitigate risks, properly train your staff, and ensure equipment is always state-of-the-art and maintained in optimal condition.
From a business perspective, investing in height safety is not just a regulatory obligation, but a strategic choice. A safe working environment can improve productivity, reduce costs associated with accidents and occupational illnesses, and strengthen your company’s reputation.

In summary, choosing a turnkey solution provided by professionals specialized in work at height allows you to focus on your core business, while a team of experts ensures a safe and compliant work environment. It is an investment that pays off in peace of mind, efficiency, and corporate reputation.

Before Installing a Fall Protection System, It Is Essential to Consider:

Roof structure analysis: a technician must carry out a thorough assessment of the roof (materials, slope, accessibility, conservation status) to determine the most suitable system and verify the structure’s ability to withstand loads in case of a fall. In artistic heritage sites, structures are usually very old and may include sections unsuitable for walking, which must be incorporated into the safety design.

Design: a preliminary project must be drafted to evaluate the actual ergonomics of the lifeline and perform the necessary assessments and adjustments. If a fully fall-preventive design is not possible, the calculation of the clearance (fall distance) must also be considered. This parameter defines the minimum space required so that the operator does not impact the ground or other obstacles in case of a fall.

Insulation and waterproofing assessment: to ensure system compatibility with the existing roof and not compromise waterproofing.

Surface inspection: to guarantee roof safety, not only the external fall risk must be assessed but also any unprotected skylights, smoke vents, shafts, or other situations endangering the operator.

Material Selection and Installation

Horizontal flexible lifelines, are usually composed of a rope stretched between two or more structural anchors. This type allows the operator to move along an extended path. They can be rigid or deformable, depending on the need to limit fall forces on the structure.

In churches or monuments, to avoid spoiling the building’s aesthetics, it is necessary to use low-visual-impact devices, sometimes painted to match the roof color, or custom-made to be “invisible” to the human eye.