Relinea GRP Riser Guard Featured in Latest HSA Safety Alert

A recent safety alert issued by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has brought renewed attention to a critical safety issue affecting multi-storey buildings: the risk posed by non-load-bearing flooring within vertical service riser shafts.

The alert highlights a serious and often overlooked hazard:

Service riser floors that appear safe but are not designed to support load, creating a significant fall risk for anyone accessing these spaces for maintenance, inspection, or installation works.

Industry Risk: When “Safe-Looking” Isn’t Safe

Vertical service risers are essential components of modern buildings, housing mechanical and electrical services across multiple levels. However, the HSA warns that in many cases, riser floors or infill panels can give a false impression of safety.

Without verified structural performance, these surfaces may not be capable of supporting imposed loads, increasing the likelihood of accidents and serious injury. The alert calls on building owners, designers, and contractors to reassess riser shaft designs and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.

Relinea Installation at Eastcheap Court Featured

We are proud that an installation by Relinea at Eastcheap Court has been featured within the HSA safety alert, helping to visually demonstrate a safer, engineered approach to riser shaft design.

Importantly, the image included in the alert showcases GRP riser flooring in use, highlighting how purpose-designed systems can provide a clear, safe and structurally reliable working platform within vertical shafts.

The Role of GRP Riser Flooring in Safer Design

GRP riser flooring offers a modern alternative to traditional infill materials that may not be designed for load-bearing applications.

Unlike makeshift or non-structural solutions, GRP riser flooring is engineered for strength, durability, and long-term performance. It provides a fully load-bearing surface, eliminating the uncertainty that the HSA alert warns against.

A key advantage of GRP systems is their adaptability. Riser shafts are dynamic environments, often requiring upgrades or changes to building services over time. GRP flooring can be easily cut, adapted, and reconfigured to accommodate:

• New pipework or cabling
• Service upgrades
• Ongoing maintenance requirements

All without weakening the structural integrity of the platform, a critical consideration for both safety and lifecycle performance.

The Relinea GRP Riser Guard Solution

Relinea’s GRP Riser Guard system has been specifically developed to address the exact risks identified in the HSA alert.

Our system is engineered to:

• Provide verified load-bearing GRP riser flooring
• Eliminate hidden void risks within riser shafts
• Enable safe and secure access for maintenance and inspection
• Support compliance with evolving health and safety requirements
• Accommodate future installations or modifications without compromising structural integrity

Unlike traditional infill solutions, GRP Riser Guard is a designed, permanent safety solution, not a temporary or assumed one.

Designing for Safety, Not Assumption

One of the key messages from the HSA alert is clear:

Safety in riser shafts must be designed and not assumed.

This principle is fundamental to modern construction, particularly as regulatory scrutiny increases and duty holders are required to demonstrate compliance with safety standards.

By specifying engineered GRP riser flooring systems from the outset, project teams can:

• Reduce risk to workers and maintenance personnel
• Avoid costly retrofits or remedial works
• Ensure compliance with current and future safety expectations
• Deliver safer, more resilient buildings

Future-Proofing Riser Shaft Design

As buildings evolve, so too do their service requirements. Riser shafts must be capable of adapting to change without introducing new risks.

Relinea’s GRP systems are designed with this in mind, offering a future-proof solution that maintains strength and safety even as modifications are made over time.

This flexibility, combined with proven structural performance, makes GRP riser flooring an increasingly preferred choice for consultants, contractors, and building owners.

Review Your Riser Safety Today

The latest HSA safety alert serves as an important reminder for all stakeholders across the construction and facilities management sectors.

If you are:

• Reviewing existing riser shafts
• Planning a new development
• Assessing compliance with current safety guidance

Now is the time to ensure your systems are fit for purpose, fully compliant, and designed to protect those who rely on them.

Read the full HSA Alert: 

All-in-One Service Riser Solution