In his talk “When Regulation Lags Behind Practice,” Sven Drangeid takes the audience on a journey through roughly 30 years of rope‑access projects from zitras’ company history. Using selected examples, he illustrates how practical solutions often emerge first, with formal regulations catching up later. It’s a behind‑the‑scenes look at an industry where innovation sometimes moves faster than the rulebooks — delivered with a wink and a collection of remarkable real‑world stories.

Subtitle: What really works in work-at-height operations – and what regularly goes wrong. Standards define components – but not automatically safe systems. Only the combination of proper planning, correct application, and a viable rescue concept creates real safety.

Legal frameworks, responsibilities and practical solutions for intensively used roof areas Speaker: Thomas Reykers Roof areas are being used more and more intensively: photovoltaic systems, technical installations, maintenance work and green roofs mean that roofs are regularly accessed. This gives rise to new requirements in terms of safety and organisation. Falls from height remain among the most serious workplace accidents, particularly when working on roofs. This raises a key question for building operators: who is responsible if something happens on the roof? The presentation outlines the rights and obligations operators have regarding the planning, fitting out and operation of roof areas. You will learn what role regulations and health and safety guidelines play, how responsibilities are divided between operators, planners and external contractors, and how risks can be systematically reduced. Practical examples will illustrate how operators can fulfil their duty of care and create safe working conditions for work on the roof.

Is my fall clearance sufficient? Am I perhaps too heavy—or even too light—for the system? A widespread misconception claims that tear‑webbing energy absorbers always deploy to their full length. In this presentation, we debunk common myths surrounding EN 355. We explain why fall dynamics in real‑world scenarios are often far less severe than the extreme conditions simulated in standard testing—provided the anchor point is chosen correctly. You’ll learn how the interaction between fall factor, user weight, and the deliberate selection of the anchorage point maximizes safety while effectively minimizing the required fall clearance.