Roof jacks can be a practical option for certain low-risk roofing tasks, but they're not always a legal or safe substitute for full scaffolding in New Zealand. Whether they're acceptable depends on the height of your work, the pitch of your roof, the duration of the job, and what the work actually involves. Getting this wrong can have serious consequences — falls from height are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in NZ.
What Are Roof Jacks?
Roof jacks (also called roof brackets or roof staging brackets) are metal brackets that hook over the ridge or are nailed to the roof framing, supporting a plank or board for a worker to stand on. They're a lightweight, low-cost option commonly used by painters, roofers, and maintenance workers for short-duration tasks on pitched roofs.
They are not a full fall-arrest or edge-protection system on their own. They provide a working platform on the slope, but they don't protect you from falling off the edge of the roof.
NZ Health and Safety Rules You Need to Know
In New Zealand, work at height is governed by the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016. WorkSafe NZ is the regulator, and their guidelines are clear: any work at height requires a risk assessment, and fall prevention must be the first priority.
The key thresholds to understand:
- 3 metres or more: At this height, robust fall protection is generally required. For most residential roofing work, this means edge protection or full scaffolding is expected unless a specific alternative control is properly assessed and documented.
- Below 3 metres: Lower risk, but you still have a duty to manage the hazard. Roof jacks may be acceptable here with other controls in place.
Roof jacks alone do not provide edge protection. If you're working near the eaves or gable ends of a roof that's 3 metres or more above the ground, roof jacks without additional edge protection are unlikely to meet your legal obligations.
When Roof Jacks May Be Acceptable
Roof jacks can be a reasonable option when:
- The work is short duration (e.g., replacing a few tiles or doing a quick inspection)
- The roof pitch is moderate (not excessively steep)
- The working height is under 3 metres from the ground to the eaves
- They are combined with other controls, such as a safety harness and anchor point, or a spotter
- The person using them is competent and experienced with working at height
Even then, a proper risk assessment should be carried out before starting work.
When Full Scaffolding Is Required
Full scaffolding (perimeter edge protection) is generally required when:
- Eave height is 3 metres or more above the ground
- The job will take more than a few hours or spans multiple days
- Work involves gutters, fascias, or bargeboards at the roof edge
- The roof is steep-pitched (typically over 25–30 degrees)
- Multiple workers are on the roof at the same time
- The work involves heavy materials being moved around
For most standard NZ two-storey homes, full scaffolding is the expected standard for any significant roofing or painting work. A licensed scaffolder will assess your specific situation and recommend the right system.
What About Safety Harnesses?
A safety harness and inertia reel or lanyard attached to a certified roof anchor can be used as an alternative to edge protection in some situations — but only if:
- The anchor is rated and installed correctly
- The user is trained in harness use
- The system is designed to arrest a fall before the worker hits the ground or a lower level
Harnesses are a last resort control, not a first choice. WorkSafe NZ recommends eliminating or minimising the fall risk first, before relying on personal protective equipment.
DIY vs Hiring a Professional
As a homeowner doing your own work, you are still a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) under the HSWA and have legal duties to manage risks. This means:
- You can't simply ignore fall protection requirements because you own the house
- If you hire contractors, you must ensure they have appropriate fall protection in place
- If a contractor is injured on your property due to inadequate fall protection, there can be legal consequences
For anything beyond very minor maintenance at low heights, it's strongly worth considering hiring a licensed scaffolder who can erect the right system for your job. A qualified scaffolder will know exactly what's required under NZ law and will take responsibility for the system they install. You can find local scaffolders on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Practical Tips If You Do Use Roof Jacks
- Always use properly rated roof jacks — don't improvise with timber offcuts or makeshift brackets
- Ensure planks are secured and rated for the load
- Wear non-slip footwear
- Never work alone at height
- Check the weather — wet or windy conditions make roof work significantly more dangerous
- Consider a harness and anchor as an additional control
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed scaffolder if:
- Your eaves are 3 metres or more above ground level
- The job will take more than a day
- You're working near the roof edge for any reason
- You're unsure whether your planned controls are adequate
Scaffolding is not as expensive as a serious injury. A qualified scaffolder can often erect a basic perimeter system for a standard home in a few hours, and the peace of mind is well worth it. Find a local scaffolding professional on tradedirectory.co.nz.
