Provision of a safety line system for Cloister Roof maintenance

The Cloister is one of many exceptional architectural features at Gloucester Cathedral, containing some of the country’s earliest fan vaulting. The roof spanning all four walls is lead covered which is laid over pre-cast concrete planks, a system known as “Siporex” which was installed almost 50 years ago when the last major structural work to the Cloister was carried out. The aim is to provide a safe method of working on the roof. At present there is a significant risk of falling for anyone working on the roof and a danger to the public below and the Cathedral Architect now feels that it imposes too much of a risk to allow people to work from ladders or access platforms in this manner without the provision of a safety line.