Bracket takes roofing safety to new heights

When builder Adam Horvath fell off a house roof he thought there had to be a better way.

Together with his scaffolder brother-in-law Paul Bradleigh he found one - the Bradleigh Bracket - which he believes is set to revolutionise residential building sites.

The adjustable, triangular bracket supports a contained walkway around a house roof under construction.

Mr Horvath, from Horvath Homes in Onekawa, said because the platform sat on the building itself, the total cost was low, at $1200-$1400, but the safety benefits were high.

"Statistically there are 1.5 falls a week requiring hospitalisation," he said.

The system makes falls unlikely for builders installing roof trusses and allows roofers a stable platform to work off.

The platform also provides work and material space, minimising constant ladder access - a common cause of accidents.

The platform can be also be used to install eaves cladding, fascia and guttering.

On an average-sized build, the system can be installed in five to eight hours.

Once installed, the builders place and fix the trusses. Roofers then follow on.

Normally, the working platform is 1m wide, positioned around the perimeter as required. Two scaffold planks form the walkway.

The system is removed after all trades have completed their work and prior to window installation.

It takes about three to five hours to remove.