Industrial safety: compliant roofs, ladders and railings with Rothoblaas

Industrial workplaces pose a complex set of risks related to height, mobility and roof access.

Every facility, whether a manufacturing plant or logistics hub, features a range of surfaces, including trapezoidal metal roofs, PVC skylights, rooftop building systems and internal walkways for machinery maintenance, all requiring specific and integrated safety solutions.

Safety is essential, but it must never, in any way, obstruct or slow down the production line.

The incorrect choice or installation of safety systems can lead, on one hand, to inefficient solutions that fail to properly integrate with the pace and structure of the production site, and on the other – far more seriously – to serious accidents and events that can compromise the overall safety of operations and the building itself.

To ensure consistent management of all risk areas, it is essential to rely on a single technical partner capable of designing, supplying and certifying fall arresters, access ladders and railings that comply with the applicable regulations and most up-to-date international standards.

Trapezoidal metal roofs: safety at height

Trapezoidal metal roofs are among the most common roof types in industrial settings.
Lightweight, durable and quick to install, they are also one of the most critical surfaces in terms of safety at height.

The undulating shape of the sheet metal limits its load-bearing capacity between corrugations and creates significant local vulnerabilities around openings such as skylights and smoke vents.
Anchoring fall arresters on a sheet metal roof thus requires solutions that can effectively distribute loads without deforming the profile or compromising the waterproofing.

In this context, modular systems like SHIELD by Rothoblaas offer a reliable solution: specifically designed for lightweight metal roofs, it ensures rapid installation of lifelines without invasive drilling, thus preserving the integrity of the roof. SHIELD is adaptable to all trapezoidal metal roofs with an inter-fret spacing of up to 420 mm.

It is the ideal system for creating single anchor points and straight or angled lifelines on both flat and pitched roofs.

PVC skylights: hidden risks and essential protection

PVC skylights, commonly used in industrial buildings to boost natural light, are among the most vulnerable points on the roof.
Although this risk is frequently overlooked by those who access the roof, these elements carry a high risk of collapse, are not load-bearing and are not strong enough to withstand accidental foot traffic.

Protecting skylights is therefore both a technical and regulatory requirement.
With OVERNET by Rothoblaas, skylights can be safely secured by installing a certified safety net, without the need for major works on the roof structure, fully preserving both its functionality and waterproofing. OVERNET is designed to secure industrial roofing permanently so as to ensure safe work on roofs while protecting skylights that cannot be walked on.

Industrial railings: permanent perimeter protection

In industrial settings, railings are the simplest and most efficient way of securing walkways or maintenance areas on roofs.
In response to the need for permanent protection on flat roofs, Rothoblaas offers the BORDER range, available in various configurations (railings secured on trapezoidal metal, with horizontal or vertical fastening, freestanding or folding), adaptable to any kind of surface.

The entire BORDER range complies with EN ISO 14122-3, NTC2018 and UNI EN 13374, ensuring collective protection for operators and maintenance personnel without the need for specific PPE during standard operations.

Caged ladders and safe roof access

Properly designing access to industrial roofs is key to ensuring both worker safety and the building’s regulatory compliance.
Caged ladders are often the mandatory choice for reaching heights greater than three metres, as required by regulations.

Rothoblaas offers modular ladder solutions, with or without cages, made from aluminium and complete with integrated fall protection systems, landing platforms and customisable configurations to suit the geometry of the building.

STEP UP ladders allow safe roof access with a stable, durable and easy-to-install solution, without the need for invasive works on the roof. Made of aluminium alloy, they offer high mechanical strength and resist corrosion and environmental conditions.

They guarantee the utmost safety for the user and give the installer the serenity that comes with a reliable product that is easy to assemble.

Roof safety: fall arresters and lifelines for industrial sites

Ensuring the safety of industrial roofs requires a comprehensive design approach that integrates certified fall arresters and collective safety solutions.

Horizontal lifelines like PATROL make it possible to secure maintenance routes and operational areas on metal, concrete or timber substructures.
PATROL enables wide-span coverage, reducing the number of intermediate anchors while maintaining high levels of comfort and safety for workers.

The system is certified in accordance with EN 795 (type C), CEN/TS 16415 and in Italy, UNI 11578 (type C) for simultaneous use by multiple operators.

Personal protective equipment for work at height

For work at height to be completely safe, it must be supported by the use of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).
Rothoblaas offers a full range of harnesses, helmets, retractable devices and energy absorbers specifically designed for work in complex industrial environments.

The BIA + PROTECTOR set is a proven solution even in industrial settings, complete with EN 361 and EN 397 certification and ideal for professionals who work at height every day.

One partner, total protection

In industrial settings, every surface can pose a potential risk: trapezoidal metal roofs, unprotected skylights, dangerous walkways without railings or non-compliant access points.
The key to ensuring real safety is designing integrated and coordinated fall protection systems that respond to the needs of the production site.

Relying on a single technical partner like Rothoblaas means having access to:

• Specialised design consultancy

• Certified systems

• Custom solutions for any type of industrial roof

An investment in the operational continuity of your business and the protection of the people who work there: get in touch with our consultants to design your integrated safety system.