We often talk about edge protection and walkovers as ways to prevent trips and falls, but there are other ways in which they can keep your employees safe.
Recent research carried out in the US shows one important application, as scientists at NASA compared the temperature of dark roofs in New York with one covered in a heat-reflecting white coating.
They found the lighter-coloured roof to be 42°F cooler than its darker counterparts, some of which reached 170°F, almost 80°C, on July 22nd 2011.
With British summertimes – and even March 2012 temperatures – breaking records, you may want to consider putting walkovers in place to prevent maintenance workers from treading on sun-heated surfaces this July and August.
As well as ensuring their own personal safety, this can also help to reduce damage caused by individuals stepping on melted tar and consequently impairing waterproof seals.
Evowalk walkway systems are manufactured from recycled PVCu, meaning they should not get as hot as metal walkovers when exposed to prolonged direct sunlight – and can be supplied in light colours to reflect heat.
They typically stand a short distance above the roof itself, on aluminium brackets, reducing the possibility of excess heat transferring from the roof to the walkover system.