Exams / HS&E WAH / Roof work and fragile surfaces / Question 1

HS&E WAH practice question: Roof work and fragile surfaces (1 of 6)

E. Specialist: Specialist work at height A free question from our original HS&E WAH practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.

Last verified October 2026 against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions

You are asked to work on an industrial roof. Nobody knows what it is made of.

How should you treat it?

Choose one answer.

A. As safe, as most roofs are strong
B. As safe if it looks new
C. As safe if you walk only along the bolt lines
D. As fragile until a competent person says not

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

A. Wrong: Wrong. Many roofs are fragile.
B. Wrong: Wrong. New roofs can still be fragile.
C. Wrong: Wrong. Treat it as fragile until confirmed otherwise.
D. Right: Right. HSE says all roofs should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed they are not.

Explanation

Treat every roof as fragile until a competent person confirms it is not.

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