A home with a steeply sloping roof is beautiful. This type of roof is found on homes built in the Colonial, Cape Cod, and other similar styles. In fact, some locales require a specific pitch on the community’s homes to blend in the aesthetics in the neighborhood.
Are there any advantages to having a pitched roof? There are several reasons a steeply-sloped roof on a home or building is beneficial:
· Better runoff of rain or melting snow
· Less pooling of water in crevices and seams
· Reduced chance for growth of mold or mildew
· Less debris collection from branches, leaves, and needles
· Better energy management in cold weather
· Aesthetically appealing and allows for decorative gables and caps
· Higher indoor ceilings
· Extra attic storage space
· Longer lifespan and durability
· Fewer required repairs
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classifies steep roofs as those having a pitch above 4/12. This means that for every 12 inches of horizontal length, the roof rises more than four inches vertically. While there are some benefits to having a high-sloped rooftop, it does make it more difficult to work on the roof or make repairs. There is no doubt that roofing can be dangerous work. Roofer fatalities represent the fifth-highest work-related death rate in the construction industry. “Exposure to fall hazards makes roofing work among the most dangerous jobs in construction,” says OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts.
About 50 roofing workers die on the job each year, and most of those deaths are from falls. Working on residential projects is the riskiest, with twice the percentage of fatal falls from ladders, which are used more in residential roofing work. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that 97% of ladder-related injuries occur at home or on farms. Surprisingly, over half of roofing fall accidents involve falls of less than 15 feet. It doesn’t take a long fall off a steep roof to cause injury.
Despite the risky nature of roofing work, there are times that people need to get up on a steeply-sloped roof, either to install a new roof or to make repairs. These tips and strategies will keep you safe as you work on a steep roof:
Share this infographic
OSHA requires that roofing contractors and workers undergo prior training to learn how to prevent falls. This training should include information on how to spot fall hazards, proper equipment use, and what to do in the event of a fall.
There is a significant risk of slipping from a steep roof. Wet weather conditions make this even more likely. Don’t work on a steep roof in rainy or snowy conditions. Wind is also a hazard, as it could knock you off balance. Your own physical condition is important as well. Do not attempt any roofing work or repairs if you feel unwell, dizzy, or weak.
You should wear loose-fitting clothing and should not restrict your movements. Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots that provide toe protection and are anti-slip.
Working on a roof alone is risky. The best practice for roofing work is to have a partner with you. Not only can they assist with activities such as stabilizing your ladder or fetching tools and equipment, it is also important to have someone nearby in the event of a slip or fall. Getting immediate medical attention is crucial, and you may not be able to call for help on your own.
Be sure that the ladder you use to climb onto the roof is stable and secure at the bottom. Only place the ladder on stable ground and have your partner hold onto the ladder to stabilize it. The ladder should sit flush against the top at the roof line. It should not shift or slip to either side when you climb it. Use an extension ladder to ensure that the top of the ladder extends at least three feet above the eaves. You can add a ladder stabilizer for more safety.
Use roof jacks or roof brackets to attach 2 by 8 boards onto the roof deck. Secure these brackets to the roof using nails at least three inches long. Place the brackets underneath the top layer of shingles and hammer them into the rafters. Once the boards are set, screw or nail them in to keep them from sliding or jumping out of the bracket.
Use ladders to move from one row of scaffolding to another. These ladders can be constructed from two-by-fours. Use enough brackets and ladders to allow you to work on the roof shingles without excessive reaching.
If there is risk of a fall from higher than six feet, then a PFAS should be used by every worker on a steep roof. A PFAS consists of a roof anchor, a wearable roof harness, a rope, and a self-retracting lifeline or lanyard. Self-retracting lifelines allow a roofing worker to move around more freely on a steep roof, while providing consistent tautness. This stabilizes the worker and helps prevent falls. Lanyards work by using lag bolts to provide an anchor for the rope. As you move around the roof, the lanyard is used to maintain the tension in the rope. Roofing lanyard systems have an internal braking mechanism in the safety harness for fall arrest and work position stabilizing.
Guardrails work to provide a barrier around the edge of the roof and at any openings of a steeper roof. This is a temporary system that attaches to rafters or other structural parts of the roof. The top rails of the guardrails must be at least 39 inches above the surface of the roof. They should be constructed of sturdy material and should have a smooth surface to prevent lacerations.
Use covers of wood or metal to prevent falls through openings in the roof. These covers should be able to support at least twice the weight of workers and their equipment. They should be well-secured and marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” at all times.
Safety nets are found on commercial sites. This netting system will stop the fall of an adult. Safety nets are installed between a series of extended poles and run the length of the roofing area being worked on.
Most roofing job falls happen when climbing or descending the ladder. Hold onto the ladder with both hands to descend from the ladder. Always face the ladder when climbing down and maintain three-point contact (two feet and one hand or one foot and two hands).
Advances in technology make everything from planning to executing roofing work safer for roofing workers. These are some of the ways that new technology can increase roofing work safety:
· The pitch of the roof can be determined using an app and a simple street view of the home or building. You won’t have to climb onto the roof to obtain measurements before you begin work.
· Place special sensors on the roof and in nearby areas. These keep track of the temperature, dust in the air, and noise levels. Combining these sensors with weather monitoring makes it easier to respond to changing weather conditions.
· Some roofing companies have invested in larger equipment. Roofing debris aerial lift trailers provide an easier way to remove roof debris and move heavy shingles and other roofing materials up onto the roof surface. This can help prevent injury and falls due to shifting or falling roofing material.
· Finally, there are wearable technology devices that monitor workers’ body temperature, read biometric data, track GPS location, detect a fall, allow a worker to call others for help, and automatically call emergency services. These devices clip onto a belt, attach to a harness, or embed in smart hardhats.
The key to working safely on a steep-pitched roof is to work smart and use proper safety equipment. Taking these steps will allow you to complete the job while avoiding injury or even death. Avoid taking any shortcuts when working on a roof and don’t rush through the job. In the end, the best protection against injury is using your common sense.
Discount Dumpster offers a wide variety of dumpster rentals for roofing projects. Our 20 yard bin is the perfect size to tackle roofing jobs in most residential and commercial settings. Call today to secure a fantastic and affordably priced dumpster to finish your roofing projects!
Table of Contents Hazards of Improper Home Insulation Disposal How to Dispose of Home Insulation 1. Reuse Old Insulation 2. Repurpose or Upcycle It 3. Take It to a Recycling Center 4. Sell or Donate It 5. Rent a Dumpster Proper Insulation Disposal is Important Efficient insulation not only reduces your energy bills, but turns […]
Table of Contents Is Vinyl Plank Flooring Better than Other Options? Types of Vinyl Flooring How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring 1. Acclimate the Planks and Prep the Floor 2. Add an Optional Underlayment 3. Determine your Layout 4. Stagger Your Rows 5. Reinstall Baseboards and Add Finishing Touches Is a Vinyl Floor Right for […]