Kee Guard & Fixed Ladder Installation at Retail Facility in Wexford

The Client

Skyway was engaged by a national facilities management provider responsible for maintaining a portfolio of retail stores across Ireland. As part of a nationwide programme of roof safety inspections and recertification, the company required a trusted partner to assess the condition of existing working-at-height systems and ensure each site met current health and safety standards.

This project took place at a busy retail facility in Wexford, a thriving commercial town on Ireland’s south-east coast. The building required regular roof access for inspection and maintenance of rooftop equipment, making safe and compliant access a key operational requirement.

Following the completion of a detailed roof safety assessment, it became clear that the existing roof edge protection and access arrangements no longer met the required safety standards and required immediate attention.

Kee Guard & Fixed Ladder Installation at Retail Facility in Wexford - Skyway

The Brief

As part of a nationwide roof safety audit, Skyway was commissioned to carry out recertification inspections across multiple retail locations throughout Ireland. During the inspection of the Wexford site, several issues were identified with the existing roof safety systems.

The assessment concluded that the current edge protection and roof access equipment were no longer compliant with current working-at-height legislation and did not provide an adequate level of protection for maintenance personnel accessing the roof.

The client required a solution that would:

Replace the outdated roof safety systems.
Improve safe access for maintenance personnel.
Provide permanent collective fall protection.
Meet all current Irish and European working-at-height regulations.
Be installed quickly to minimise ongoing risk.

Following several technical discussions and site meetings, Skyway’s design and estimating teams developed a proposal recommending the installation of a Freestanding Kee Guard guardrail system together with a fixed roof access ladder.

The proposal met the client’s safety requirements and was approved, with the project prioritised for immediate installation.

The Solution

Roof Safety Assessment

Skyway’s first step was to complete a comprehensive roof survey during the recertification process. This assessment reviewed the condition of the existing safety systems, roof layout, maintenance routes and access points.

The survey confirmed that the safest and most practical long-term solution would be to replace the existing systems with permanent collective protection and improved roof access.

Freestanding Kee Guard Installation

Skyway specified a Freestanding Kee Guard guardrail system to provide continuous collective edge protection around the roof.

The Kee Guard system was chosen because it offers numerous advantages, including:

Permanent collective fall protection.
A non-penetrative design that protects the roof membrane.
Quick and efficient installation.
Low maintenance requirements.
Long-term durability.

Unlike systems that rely heavily on personal protective equipment, Kee Guard provides continuous protection for anyone accessing the roof, significantly improving safety during routine inspections and maintenance.

Fixed Roof Access Ladder

To complement the guardrail installation, Skyway also installed a fixed roof access ladder, creating a safe and controlled route between ground level and the roof.

The ladder improves accessibility while reducing the risks associated with temporary access equipment. Together with the guardrail system, it creates a complete roof access solution that supports safe movement to and from maintenance areas.

Installation and Delivery

Once the design had been approved, Skyway’s internal design and installation teams coordinated every stage of the project to ensure efficient delivery.

Because the existing systems had been identified as unsafe, the installation was prioritised and completed within the required timeframe. The project was delivered with minimal disruption to the client’s day-to-day operations while ensuring all work complied with current safety standards and manufacturer specifications.

Kee Guard & Fixed Ladder Installation at Retail Facility in Wexford - Skyway 1

The Outcome

The completed installation transformed roof safety at the Wexford facility, replacing outdated systems with a fully compliant and future-proof roof access solution.

Benefits to the Customer

Enhanced Safety – The new Freestanding Kee Guard system provides permanent collective edge protection, significantly reducing the risk of falls for anyone working at height.

Improved Roof Access – The fixed access ladder creates a safe and reliable route onto the roof, allowing maintenance teams to carry out inspections and servicing safely and efficiently.

Regulatory Compliance – The new installation ensures the building now complies with current working-at-height legislation, providing confidence that maintenance activities can be carried out safely.

Reduced Long-Term Costs – The robust, low-maintenance nature of the Kee Guard system reduces ongoing inspection and maintenance requirements while helping extend the life of the roof by avoiding penetrations to the roof membrane.

Ongoing Partnership – The successful delivery of this project further strengthened Skyway’s relationship with the facilities management company, supporting additional roof safety upgrades across its nationwide property portfolio.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates Skyway’s expertise in delivering rapid, compliant roof safety upgrades following recertification inspections and safety audits. By combining a Freestanding Kee Guard system with a fixed roof access ladder, Skyway provided a practical, durable, and fully compliant solution that significantly improved safety for maintenance personnel.

From initial inspection and design through to installation and certification, Skyway delivered a complete end-to-end service tailored to the operational needs of a busy retail facility.

If your organisation is planning a roof safety audit or needs to replace outdated edge protection systems, Skyway has the expertise to design and install a solution that protects your people while ensuring full compliance with current working-at-height regulations.

Contact Skyway today to arrange a roof safety survey and discover how our bespoke roof safety solutions can create a safer working environment for your facility.

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Skyway upgraded roof safety at a retail facility with a free-standing Kee Guard system and fixed ladder, improving compliance and maintenance access.

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