COSHH: Health and Safety for Natural Roofing Slate
As with all building materials, natural roofing slate has Health and Safety concerns which should be acknowledged.
Main Hazards
- Natural slate can cause excessive dust, when being cut and holed, and this is even more likely in small spaces. If dust is inhaled in excessive amounts, over many years, during the manufacturing process it can, without proper controls, possibly create a long term health hazard.
- In context of site work the only potential hazard is sharp edges and splinters, this can result in injuries and cuts.
Precautions
- Eye protection should be worn when cutting and holing slate.
- Strong protective gloves should be worn when handling slate.
- Dust masks should be worn when working with slate for prolonged periods.
- Working on a pitched roof surface is an extremely dangerous environment. As well as providing adequate scaffolding, the operator should wear an approved harness if at all practicable and have use of roof ladders and boards.
The information above is an excerpt from our COSHH Health & Safety for Natural Roofing Slate document. To find out more about health & safety when handling slate, view our PDF documentation below:
COSHH Health and Safety for Natural Roofing Slate
COSHH for Slate – Health and Safety
