Any sort of roofing job is inherently dangerous. Without going into explicit details, I am sure it is not hard for you to imagine the worst in terms of serious injury.
When embarking on a job, roof safety is — and always should be — the main priority.
Every time yourself or your team steps foot atop a rooftop, you should take every precaution to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation. Here are the top 9 roofing hazards to avoid:
Is the roof structure is strong enough to hold your (and your team’s and your equipment’s) weight? This is not a question to be asking once you are already on top. Before climbing on top of any roof, take the time to check the roof’s underlayment and trusses. Otherwise, there is a risk of the roof collapsing.
Improper use of an extension ladder is one of the major causes of roofing-related injuries and other falls. A poorly placed ladder is among the most common and deadly of roofing hazards.
According to the American Ladder Institute, the factors contributing to such falls are “haste, sudden movement, lack of attention, the condition of the ladder (worn or damaged), the user’s age or physical condition, or both, and the user’s footwear.”
Before climbing a metal ladder, it is necessary that you inspect it to ensure that it is in proper working condition. Then, you should place the ladder on firm, level ground that is free from any slippery surfaces (both at the base and at the top supporting points). Make sure your ladder’s feet are secure and consider tying the top of the ladder to the roof if you are able.
You should never attempt to tackle a roofing project during extreme temperatures. If it has been snowing or raining prior to your project, the shingles can become slippery, thus posing a greater risk for falls.
Snow and ice also add extra weight to the roof, and wet snow is nearly three times heavier than the dry, fluffy snow we all know and love. Therefore, if your roof is too wet, you should postpone your roofing project until the weather conditions are better.
Another weather-related threat to roofers are extremely hot conditions caused by direct sun exposure. Heat exhaustion can be deadly — especially if a roofer faints and falls off the roof — therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. You should also wear the proper sun protection gear and stay hydrated.
There are several things that could create dangerous roof holes. Before beginning your project, you should be aware of any unguarded skylights, poorly covered holes, missing shingles, and things of that nature. Falling through such holes can cause serious injury, but it is something that can easily be avoided through proper checks and taking precaution.
Although this might sound silly, losing awareness of the roof edge can be easier than you think when you’re caught up in a roofing project. It is important for even the most experienced of roofers to work slowly and mindfully.
During your project, frequently take the time to notice and register exactly where you are on the rooftop and how close you are to the edge.
Occupational safety is extremely important, as mentioned. If you aren’t properly trained for your project, then you are a threat to both yourself and your entire team. There are many roof training courses and academies where you can properly learn how to execute your roofing project.
Another roofing hazard to avoid is misusing your equipment. This includes things like a poorly anchored railing, a poor line, a weak tie-off point, and more. Before beginning any sort of roofing project, you should be very familiar with your equipment and fully understand how to use it properly.
A roof’s pitch refers to how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches in depth. Most roofs are considered conventional slopes, which mean they have a pitch of between 4/12 inches and 9/12 inches. The higher a roof’s pitch, the steeper it is, and any roof is considered steep when its pitch exceeds 9/12 inches.
You should be aware of your roof’s pitch before beginning your project. You should be prepared to use greater caution on roofs that have steeper pitches. As I’m sure you can imagine, the chance of falling increases proportionally with the pitch’s steepness.
Steeper roofs also pose the additional threat of falling shingles. For this reason, it is critical that you replace any old, worn, or damaged shingles before embarking on your roofing project.
It is not uncommon for houses or buildings to have irregular roofing structures. Things like chimneys, ridge vents, shingle bundles, power lines, abnormal structures, and even other workers can block your line of sight when working on a rooftop.
It is important that you remain aware of these factors and their interference with your line of sight. Always be aware of your position regarding the edge of the roof, and you should also be able to recognize any other potential hazards that might occur.
Homes built with split-level roofing can have all different kinds of roofing structures. These homes can range from a single roof elevation to the most extravagant of roofing designs. Roofing projects on split-level homes are not only more complex, but their point of highest elevation is usually greater than those of single level homes.
Many split-level roofs also have unprotected sides, which poses a greater threat for injuries and fatalities, typically caused by falls. If your project is atop a split-level roof with unprotected sides and high edges (anything six feet tall or higher), then you should be using the proper fall protection equipment.
According to Business Insider, roofing was the fourth deadliest job in America in 2020, with a fatal injury rate of 54 per 100,000 full-time workers. Therefore, it is essential for you and your team to follow roofing safety procedures before embarking on a roofing project.
Here are some roofing safety tips to stay safe while working on your project:
You should keep any tools and equipment away from children, pedestrians, or even animals to avoid injury, and you should always clean up as you go. Also be sure to separate work areas from common danger areas.
Wear the proper footwear during your roofing projects that has the necessary traction and grip. Also consider wearing safety harnesses, safety glasses, gloves, and hard hats if they deem appropriate.
Seeing that unstable ladders make up a large proportion of fall-related injuries and fatalities, it is important that your ladder is properly secured. Consider using stabilizers that will steady your ladder (and prevent any sort of damage to gutters).
It isn’t smart to work on a rooftop during poor weather conditions. Try your best to plan your roofing projects around the weather and have backup plans established in case. Trust us, lost time caused by a weather setback is always better than a lost life.
Any roofing project has the threat of danger, which is why it is important to operate with the upmost precaution. Roofing-related falls and injuries are easily avoidable if you are aware of these rooftop safety hazards and are using the proper equipment.
Take the time to survey your project site, gather the proper safety equipment, wait for good weather, and practice caution. Although roofing projects are typically dangerous situations, there are ways to conduct them safely.
If you need a roll off dumpster for your upcoming roofing project, be sure to give us a call. Our expert staff here at Discount Dumpster would love to help you find the best dumpster to complete your roofing project both safely and successfully.
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