Physical Plant Department staff and contractors are more likely to spend time working at heights than any other group on campus. Their program for working at heights can serve as a model for any group on campus who needs to develop protocols. Safety protocols should be written and in place before working at heights. Per OSHA, "working at heights" begins when a person is four feet (4') above the next landing surface.

UVM has a Roof Access for Academic or Research Use Policy (PDF). This was created to support UVM research efforts. Currently, only researchers in Votey and Aiken may apply for roof access for academic purposes. Roof access for research can often include  getting a City permit, in addition to approval for access.

If faculty and staff receive approval for roof access and plan to include students in their projects, they are required to provide pertinent training to students prior to them going on the building roof. Faculty or staff responsible for students accessing the roof should provide continuous supervision while any of their students are on the roof.

Students are then required to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk Form. The responsible department should keep these on file.  

In the event of an incident on the roof, the responsible department is required to provide accident information to the Department of Risk Management & Safety.