Barrial self supporting

The flat roof has become an important resource: Available flat roof areas increasingly serve as usable spaces in the form of greened flat roof terraces and as locations for e.g. building services, air conditioning, lightning protection and solar systems. As a further possible use, escape and rescue routes can be routed over the roof. This extension leads to the creation of new workplaces there for regularly required maintenance, repair, care or snow removal work. This is accompanied by additional requirements in terms of occupational health and safety .

Safety is the top priority on flat roofs. It is not only about collective protection for the users at any time of the day or night, but also about the tightness of the roof cladding. Within the framework of a long-standing partnership, Carl Stahl and dani alu offer custom-fit solutions for all aspects of reliable fall protection on flat roofs. The basic principle for modern prevention is that permanent, collective protective measures (e.g. guardrails) have clear legal priority over individual protective measures (e.g. PPE) in order to prevent fall accidents.

The railing systems of the Barrial® series can be installed in a load-bearing manner, i.e. without penetrating the waterproofing, or in a fixed manner with a wide range of fastening options on concrete or a metal roof, depending on the individual requirements and wishes of the project.

No off-the-peg railing: Depending on the object and its conditions, the selected installation area and specific requirements from the different layer structures of the waterproofing complexes, special technical and optical requirements arise. Based on many years of experience in the field of connection and termination technology for waterproofing as well as safety-related collective protection measures for flat roofs, dani alu creates individual solution concepts. The simple assembly of the modular and compatible system components as well as the flexible adjustability for level and height compensation are particularly appreciated in practice.

Planning and execution in an "all-round carefree package

For more than 40 years, dani alu has been a system supplier for technically high-quality and visually appealing solutions made of aluminum for safe working and more beautiful living on flat roofs. With regard to liability and warranty issues, the protection of the sensitive waterproofing is of particular importance. Therefore, self-supporting structures and railings as a supplement to the proven fixed-mounted solutions have been a focus of our activities for years.

As experts in the field of flat roof safety, we at Carl Stahl, together with our partner, offer you competent support from hazard analysis, measurement, object-related conceptual design of safety-related equipment and detailed planning to installation service.

Barrial fixed, foot A / Industry

Barrial® fix - A good solution with safety. Whether at the roof workplace, on machines and equipment, ramps or platforms - safety is an important issue everywhere in industry. Missing or inadequate fall protection and barriers are a frequent cause of often serious injuries. The legal regulations and requirements of the employers' liability insurance associations are now very clear. With the aluminum railing systems of dani alu the legal requirements and specifications of the workplace directive can be fulfilled in an optimal way. Whether on the facade, the parapet inside, on the parapet or on the roof surface made of concrete or a metal roof solution - Based on many years of experience in the field of connection and termination technology for waterproofing as well as safety-related collective protection measures for flat roofs, the most diverse installation areas can be served quickly and individually with only a few modular system components!

Barrial metal roof

Barrial® Metal Roof - Safe all around, 24/7! Whether sandwich, standing seam, flanged seam or flat roofs with metal roof support shells, the modular railing systems from dani alu offer tried and tested solutions for the most diverse roof variants. With the well thought-out metal roof systems, the right technical connection for collective fall protection can be found for every roof.

Barrial shed roof

Barrial® Shed Roof - Solved with safety. With its special shape, the shed roof is reminiscent of the saw teeth of a saw. The roof shape is well suited for the implementation of large roof areas, e.g. for workshops, sports or logistics halls, and provides them with sufficient indirect daylight via the generous glass fronts. The roof elements are known to be permanently exposed to weather and gravity. At the latest with the combination of solar elements, the shed roof also becomes a regular workplace for maintenance and repair work. The railing system Barrial® by dani alu offers optimal protection against falling through the glass elements at any time.

Barrial corridor

Barrial® Corridor - certainly a good way to go. From what used to be the pure envelope of a building, the flat roof is becoming increasingly important in view of fire protection. As a result of the conversion of buildings, the construction of existing buildings or corresponding requirements in new buildings, the necessary escape and rescue routes are systematically routed over the flat roof as part of the fire protection concept. However, mistakes with far-reaching consequences can quickly occur during the planning stage if the complex topic is not considered holistically from the outset. The load-bearing Barrial® corridor systems from dani alu are installed on the roof surface without penetration. In conformity with standards and certified, you move safely in the field of tension of the legal requirements.

Barrial skylight dome defense

Collective protection as a solution - how to implement it properly? A short consulting guide.

Flat roof areas increasingly serve as utility spaces (e.g., technical equipment, air conditioning, lightning protection, solar systems) and living spaces (e.g., landscaped flat roof terraces, oases of well-being). Thus, jobs are created there due to regularly required maintenance, repair and care work. This means that occupational health and safety requirements must be complied with.

In very simplified terms, "protection against falls is always required when a hazard exists" . For the determination and assessment of the object-specific hazards that are associated with their work for the employees, at least the following criteria must be taken into account (excerpt from technical rules for workplaces ASR A2.1):

• Crash height,
• Type and duration of activity, physical stress,
• Distance from the edge of the fall,
• Condition of the stand (angle of inclination) or the standing surface (e.g. slip resistance),
• Nature of the lowered surface, e.g., bulk materials or water (sinking, smothering/drowning), concrete (hard impact), rebar connections (impaling), objects or machinery
• Condition of the working environment and hazardous external influences, e.g. poor/restricted visibility, vibrations, factors affecting balance, weather influences (e.g. wind, ice and heavy snowfall).

If an accident occurs, many parties involved bear the legal responsibility: from the building owner and operator to safety specialists and janitors - the chain of responsibility is long, regardless of the socio-political consequences! It should be noted that occupational health and safety does not know any protection of the status quo!

Laws, regulations, codes of practice - there are numerous requirements on the subject of occupational health and safety, regulated, for example, in

- Occupational Safety and Health Act §4

- Workplace ordinance, ASR

- Building regulations

- Construction Site and Industrial Safety Ordinance

- Technical rules for operational safety, TRBS 2121

- Accident prevention regulations

- Technical standards

- DIN 4426 for the installation and maintenance of structural facilities

- DIN 31051

- DIN EN 13374 Class A

- DIN EN ISO 14122-3

- DIN 18065

In principle:

- Collective hazard protection takes precedence over individual protection measures

- Ranking according to T-O-P principle: Technical (e.g. guardrails)
before organizational (e.g. nets as fall arrest equipment)
before personal (e.g. anchor points with rope protection)

- What is required is "state of the art" fall protection, i.e. collective-permanent. The top priority here should be to exclude a fall hazard due to "non-use" or "non-knowledge" right from the start.

The requirements that are placed on the flat roof as a workplace are compiled in tabular form in DGUV 201-056 of BG Bau. The overview shows the minimum requirements , which are influenced by the groups of people who will have access to the roof and the frequency of access (up to permanent use). In connection with these defined minimum requirements, the entire period of use should always be considered during planning and compared in an economic efficiency calculation. Supposedly strong differences in the purchase are invalidated in the second period of use at the latest - compared to a guardrail system with recommended visual inspection every two years, the follow-up costs for documentation, prohibition of working alone, training or maintenance for a personal protection solution must not be underestimated!

Falls from elevated workplaces are among the most frequent causes of fatal occupational accidents in Germany, according to BG BAU. Collective protective measures have absolute priority. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is seen as a last resort and is only permitted if the assembly of railings, scaffolding and the use of lifting platforms, etc. is not possible or involves too much effort.

In order to achieve the necessary protection of workplaces at height, various applications and systems are used in practice, depending on the structural boundary conditions and requirements. These can include anchor points, stainless steel rope systems, rail systems, guardrail and side protection solutions, arrester systems, safety roof hooks, ladder safety devices and solutions for rope-assisted access technology. In addition to these "standard products", there are also project-specific special designs and solutions on the market. Because "the suit off the rack" does not always fit.

The above-mentioned products are constantly being revised and further developed over the past years. Because in order to be able to protect the craftsmen and other persons working on the construction site even better against falling in the future, the specialists of the manufacturers of these fall protection solutions optimize their products for new types of use and for an even more user-friendly application. As one of the leading suppliers in the field of fall protection solutions, the company ST Quadrat with its brand "LUX-top®" has been considered for years. Therefore, in the further course of this blog post, we will go a little deeper into the products and solutions of the company ST Quadrat.

Further developments with innovative character

Since the end, the LUX-top^® SDS anchor point has been the 2021first anchor point for mounting on sandwich roof elements on the German market to have a general technical approval (abZ) from the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). It is ideally suited for mounting on roofs with roofing made of sandwich elements and a substructure of steel or wood. The greatest advantage during installation results from the fact that the SDS can be installed completely from above or outdoors; installation from the inside by means of a riser or similar is not necessary.

The single anchor point has a multi-punching for standard top chord distances of 250 mm or 333 mm and can be used in practice by up to three people at the same time. In addition, the product can be used in the LUX-top^® FSE 2003 stainless steel rope systems in accordance with DIN EN 795 type C as a starting, end or corner point as well as an intermediate point, optionally also with a rope guide that can be driven over. The anchor point is also compatible with temporary horizontal anchor devices or temporary horizontal movable guides according to DIN EN 795 type C.

And there have also been some changes in the area of side protection. The LUX-top ^®G-T guardrail system with its convenient and flexible modular system has been supplemented by three additional variants: the LUX-top^® G-T QUICK for faster and easier installation, the LUX-top^® G-T HA with continuously height-adjustable basic elements and the LUX-top^® G-T HA Green for use on the green roof. All new variants of the proven collective protection made of aluminum now have a new spar connector with tool-free snap-in function instead of the two rivets previously available. The new diagonal with only one drilling screw replaces the fastening with previously four rivets. As a result, the installation of the side protection is now significantly faster and easier overall with less use of tools.

The quick installation is a particularly striking feature of the LUX-top ^®G-T QUICK. Compared to the predecessor model LUX-top^® G-T ECO, this variant convinces with the completely tool-free installation of the basic element thanks to the new snap-in function. This makes it particularly suitable for areas of application in which a cost-effective, quick-to-assemble load-bearing railing system is required.

In addition to rapid installation, the new LUX-topG-T^®  HA also scores with its extended adaptability. The height-adjustable post combination held by ballast to accommodate the guardrail posts can be continuously adjusted up to a height of 200 millimeters and is thus particularly suitable where a height-adjustable guardrail system is required, for example in the case of changing roof slopes where the guardrail posts are to run parallel to the parapet. In addition, the system ensures an attractive appearance due to the adjustability of the height depending on the installation situation.

The LUX-top G-T HA in the Green variant is ideally suited for use on the green roof. The self-supporting and height-adjustable side protection system can be integrated into the green roof, thus minimizing the risk of tripping. Ballasting can be provided by the green roof substrate or other suitable bulk material.

All new components of the proven guardrail system thus ensure more safety, flexibility and time on the construction site. Like all LUX-top^®  side guardrail systems, they are also tested and certified in accordance with DIN EN 13374 Class A.

Interested? Then get in touch with us today!

Ladders, steps and scaffolds are indispensable in many work situations. They are usually taken for granted as work equipment that is easy to use. However, their use does not seem to be that simple, as more than 70% of accidents are due to the misconduct of the user. Defective ladders, steps and scaffolds are also often reasons for accidents. In DGUV rules 208-016 and 201-011, the employers' liability insurance associations therefore require that ladders and steps be inspected at regular intervals to ensure that they are in proper condition. In addition to DGUV rules, standards also apply to ladders and other access equipment, as they do to almost everything. "The European standards DIN EN 131-1, DIN EN 131-2 and DIN EN 131-3, DIN EN 131-4 as well as DIN EN EN 131-6, which regulate design, construction types, testing as well as marking and instructions for use, have been extensively revised.

Fundamentally new is the division of the leaders into two classes:

• "Professional use" or "Professional" identifies ladders designed for use on the job
• "Non-professional use" or "Non-Professional" applies to ladders that may only be used privately

"Professional Use" or "Professional" classifications have higher strength and durability requirements." [1]

Ladders from MUNK Günzburger Steigtechnik are always state-of-the-art at the time of delivery, meet the requirements of occupational safety laws and industrial safety regulations, and also comply with the ladder class "Professional Use" or "Professional".

Numerous accidents involving ladders, steps and scaffolds can be avoided if users act more prudently and adhere to important requirements. Falls, even from low heights, can result in difficult and serious injuries. Simply choosing the appropriate ladder length or scaffold height can minimize unnecessary risks. "EU Directive 2009/104/EC (formerly 2001/45/EC) includes the requirement that users must be able to stand and hold on safely at all times. In Germany, this is implemented by BetrSichV §3(1), which requires that work equipment be suitable for the work to be performed." [2]

Important rules here are as follows:

• "When climbing over roofs, objects, etc., the ladder must protrude 1.0 m over the exit
• Leaning ladders may only be climbed to the fourth uppermost step/rung
• The so-called elbow method is used to easily determine the correct angle of application
• Stepladders that can be climbed on both sides may only be climbed to the third uppermost step/rung
• Multi-purpose ladders in the "stepladder with attached extension ladder" position of use may only be climbed to the fifth uppermost step/rung
• Stepladders with platforms and platform ladders must be selected so that the user can reach the maximum required working height, without having to stretch, from the platform." [3]
• To select the correct ladder length or scaffold height, use the formula for the required working height. The formula for this is: stand height + 2.0 m = required working height.

The nivello® ladder shoe: Safety and flexibility in series at Munk Günzburger Steigtechnik!

nivello® makes the ladder shoe movable and sets new standards in the stability of Munk ladders. This is because the integrated joint compensates for minor ground unevenness and achieves a 4-fold larger contact surface on the ground than with conventional ladder shoes. The exchangeable foot plates also allow optimal adaptation to the working environment and guarantee a secure footing even on slippery and grown floors as well as gratings.

Technical rules for operational safety - TRBS 2121 Part 2

Due to the new version of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health in 2015, it was also necessary to adapt the TRBS (Technical Rules for Industrial Safety and Health) to the new ordinance. In the process, the old version of TRBS 2121 Part 2 was also adapted to the current state of the art.

TRBS 2121 specifies the requirements of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health within the scope of its application. If the technical rules are complied with, the employer can insofar assume that the corresponding requirements of the ordinance are met. If the employer chooses a different solution, he must thereby achieve at least the same safety and health protection for the employees." [4]

TRBS 2121 Part 2 describes when ladders are permissible as access or egress from workplaces at a height. This is the case when:

-the height difference to be overcome is a maximum of 5 m and

- the use of other work equipment is disproportionate due to insufficient risk and short service life (the structural conditions must be taken into account when assessing proportionality), and

- the risk assessment shows that the entry and exit can be carried out safely.

In exceptional cases, the use of a ladder is also permitted for height differences greater than 5 m. This is possible exclusively in the case of infrequent use of a rung or step ladder as access.

"Ladders used as ascents must be designed to extend at least 1 m beyond the point of egress, unless other devices permit safe retention." [5]

Likewise, TRBS 2121 Part 2 describes when the use of ladders as a high-level workplace is permissible. This is the case when:

" - up to a stand height of 2 m and

- for a stand height between 2 m and 5 m, if only temporary works are performed, if

- because of the low risk and the short duration of use, the use of other, safer work equipment is not proportionate, and

- the risk assessment shows that the work can be carried out safely. When checking the proportionality, the structural conditions must be taken into account.

Due to the risk of falling and the higher ergonomic strain, portable ladders may only be used as an elevated workstation if the employee stands with both feet on a step or platform and the standing position on the ladder is not higher than 5 m above the installation surface. In exceptional cases with special justification (e.g. work in narrow shafts or during harvesting in fruit growing), work on portable ladders with rungs is permitted. The special reasons must be documented by the employer in the risk assessment. Temporary work is work that does not exceed a period of two hours per work shift, such as maintenance, servicing, inspection, measuring and assembly work. Temporary work at elevated outdoor workplaces using ladders may only be performed if the surrounding and weather conditions do not affect the safety and health of employees. In particular, work may not be started or continued if there is a possibility of employees falling or being injured by falling or falling parts due to weather conditions, e.g. strong or gusty winds, icing or slippery snow." [6]

For the selection of suitable work equipment, it therefore makes sense to carry out a risk assessment prior to acquisition. The assessment must take into account the hazards

- emanating from the work equipment itself,

- emanating from the working environment and

- which emanate from the objects on which activities are carried out with work equipment.

"The risk assessment shall take into account, in particular, the suitability of the work equipment for the intended use, the work processes and the work organization." [7]

Investments in occupational safety measures are supported by the BG Bau.

"With the occupational safety premiums from BG BAU, the employers' liability insurance association for the construction industry, you can save up to 50% if you invest in measures that make working safer. Eligible to apply are commercial member companies of BG BAU with at least one employee and a BG contribution of 100 euros or more, as well as entrepreneurs without employees but with voluntary insurance with BG BAU. The maximum subsidy amount per calendar year is based individually on the apportionment contribution for the BG requirements of the previous year. Smaller BG member companies have the option of saving up their subsidy amount for an occupational safety premium over several years. Funding is provided for implemented measures that have not yet been subsidized by BG BAU if the respective conditions are met. Measures are only subsidized in the year in which they were implemented/purchased and applied for. The invoice date of the current calendar and funding year is decisive.

Because elevated workplaces and a lack of or inadequate safety equipment are responsible for many serious accidents at work, BG BAU now also offers its premium package for fall prevention as a non-contributory subsidy for occupational safety premiums. The maximum non-contributory subsidy amount is divided into three levels of 3,000 euros, 5,000 euros and 10,000 euros per calendar year. Each level is assigned successive subsidy conditions that must be fulfilled or implemented by the company. Here, too, up to 50% funding per measure is possible.

A company can take advantage of both types of subsidy. Under the non-contributory subsidy (premium package for fall prevention), occupational safety premiums may be subsidized at a higher rate than under the contributory subsidy. When investing in products or measures for fall prevention, it may be worthwhile to compare the two funding options. BG BAU lists the details on its website .

Eligible measures against fall

• Construction stairs and scaffolding stairs: Subsidy per construction staircase 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 750 euros
• Stairways for mobile working platforms: Subsidy per stairway equipment 50% of the acquisition costs, max.500 Euro
• Platform ladders and work platforms: Subsidy per platform ladder 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 500 euros
• Lightweight platform ladders: Subsidy per platform ladder 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 250 euros
• Step glass cleaning ladders: Subsidy per stepped glass cleaning ladder 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 300 euros.
• Stepladders: Subsidy per stepladder 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 300 euros.
• Steps, work and small platforms: occupational safety bonus per measure 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 300 euros
• Ladder accessories to improve stability and ergonomics: per ladder accessory 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 100 Euro
• One-person scaffolds: Funding per one-person scaffold with 3-T method 25% of acquisition costs, max. 500 euros. Subsidy per one-person scaffold with system-integrated leading side protection 50% of the acquisition costs, max. 1,500 euros.

All eligible measures, further details on eligibility requirements and application for occupational health and safety premiums can be found on the BG BAU website."[8]

Technical seminar ladders and steps

At the Carl Stahl Training Center in Munich and at the Carl Stahl Academy in Süßen, training courses are regularly held to qualify persons to test ladders, steps and mobile work platforms . In these one-day seminars, participants receive information on the different types of ladders and working platforms, standards and regulations, design features, correct handling and use, and proper testing of the products. Training is provided by qualified seminar instructors with extensive practical experience. The event is suitable for anyone who often has to deal with ladders, steps and mobile working platforms in their work, but also for safety officers and occupational safety specialists. Participants in these seminars receive one VDSI point.

[1] Günzburger Steigtechnik, Climbing Technology Guide 2021, p. 341

[2] Günzburger Steigtechnik, Climbing Technology Guide 2021, p. 344

[3] Günzburger Steigtechnik, Climbing Technology Guide 2021, p. 344

[4] TRBS 2121, July 2018 edition

[5] TRBS 2121-2, December 2018 edition

[6] TRBS 2121-2, December 2018 edition

[7] Günzburger Steigtechnik flyer "The changes to TRBS 2121 Part 2".

[8] BG BAU occupational safety bonuses: Promotion for access technology and accessories