Safe Access for Roofing Work on a Fragile Warehouse Roof
In the summer of 2018, Hawkins Roofing began a roofing project on a large warehouse at Milton Park, one of the UK’s most prominent business and science hubs. The job required safe access to a fragile roof, as well as edge protection and secure platforms for their team to carry out essential maintenance work.
We were brought in to deliver a custom scaffolding solution that could support their roof work without adding risk to the structure or slowing down progress. The scale of the warehouse and the fragility of the roof called for careful planning, smart use of materials, and constant safety awareness.
What We Were Working With
- A fragile roof surface that could not take weight directly.
- Limited options for direct roof access, which made the use of mechanical equipment difficult.
- A large structure that required extensive scaffold coverage.
- A project timeline that required weekend work and ramped-up labour to stay on track.
Our Approach
We started with a site visit to assess load points, access routes, and existing conditions. The plan had to ensure full compliance with UK scaffolding safety standards while giving Hawkins Roofing the platforms they needed.
We used a combination of:
- Tube and fitting scaffolding with full boarding at designated lift levels.
- Edge protection systems around all exposed areas to prevent falls.
- Foam sleeves and protective measures to reduce contact pressure on vulnerable materials.
- Tethered tools and man-safe harness systems to maintain safety above ground level.
Time and Workforce Management
To stay on schedule, we arranged weekend scaffold installation shifts and added extra labour to speed up the build. Our team delivered each section of scaffolding according to a phased plan that matched the client’s roof access requirements.
This allowed Hawkins Roofing to carry out their work without delay and with confidence that their teams were protected while working at height.
Health and Safety
Scaffolding safety was a constant priority. Our team followed:
- Daily scaffold inspections
- Scaffolding risk assessments for each phase
- On-site toolbox talks before any access or alterations
We also stayed in regular contact with Hawkins Roofing to respond to new access requests or adapt scaffold layouts as needed. Communication between our teams helped make the process smooth.
Feedback and Outcome
The client told us:
“Very professional job. Their customer was very impressed, and it allowed the roofing works to proceed as planned.”
We completed our work on time and supported all scheduled phases of the roofing project. The scaffolding remained safe, compliant, and practical throughout.
What Made This Project Unique
- Large-scale warehouse structure requiring long scaffold runs and consistent platform access
- Fragile roof surface that limited equipment and foot traffic
- Site-specific safety requirements due to working height and material risk
Supporting Industrial Projects with the Right Scaffolding
Industrial and commercial roofs come with their own risks. Milton Park showed how the right planning and coordination can allow safe, efficient progress even when access is difficult.
We continue to support scaffolding for industrial buildings with bespoke solutions, fast installation, and high safety standards across the board. Our approach focuses on doing the job properly, meeting deadlines, and keeping everyone on site protected from start to finish.
