Health, Safety and Welfare in Roof Felting Work
Framing the domain
Health and safety questions in roofing felt work test whether you can identify the hazard, name the control, and know the hierarchy that governs it. The candidate must understand the hierarchy of control (eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate, PPE last), the difference between a hazard and a risk, and the statutory duties owed under construction health and safety law: safe systems of work, competent supervision, welfare provision and consultation.
Hazards specific to felting
Burns from hot bitumen and gas torches, fire spread in concealed voids, solvent and fume exposure, manual handling of rolls, and falls from edges and openings dominate. Welfare topics include drinking water, washing facilities, toilets, rest areas and first aid. COSHH thinking applies to primers, adhesives and mastic solvents; fire safety thinking applies to torch-on work and hot works permits.
Traps to watch
- Confusing PPE with a control that removes risk - PPE is the last resort, not the first answer.
- Assuming a hot works permit alone makes torch work safe; it must be paired with fire watch and post-work checks.
- Forgetting that welfare duties apply to short-duration jobs too.
- Mixing up accident reporting thresholds with near-miss reporting.
Worked rule of thumb
For any scenario question, run E-C-S-E-A-P: can the task be Eliminated, Substituted, Controlled by Engineering, then Administration, then PPE? A question offering 'issue gloves' where 'use a barrier cream-free mechanical applicator' is available is testing the hierarchy, not glove choice.