why Roofing Safety Measures Are So Important

Roofers have to take special care while on the job to avoid personal injury and damage to a client’s buildings. This is why it’s so important to develop, implement, and maintain effective safety measures while a roof is being worked on. Roofs by themselves are dangerous, simply because of how high they often are, their slope, and the uncertainty of your footing. Gravel rooftops can be uneven and provide unsteady footing, and so professional roofers have learned to exercise great caution when attempting repairs or inspections, especially on commercial roofs.

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON DANGERS TO ROOFERS INCLUDE:

• Extreme heat: Not only are roofers working under the sun for hours at a time, but they’re surrounded by reflected heat. Working in these conditions puts workers at risk of dehydration or heatstroke if they’re not mindful of just how hot it becomes while working.
• Slippery conditions: Walking on roofs can be hazardous when ice, snow, rain and moisture is present, or if there is an uncommonly steep sloped roof or a flat roof with gravel. Footing and correct footwear is of paramount importance to accessing the roof safely and any of those conditions can compromise that safety.
• Ladders: An improperly secured ladder can lead to a serious fall or even death. For buildings that don’t provide roof access from inside, roofers must use ladders to get to the roof.
• Vents & ductwork: Exposed vents, ductwork, and other obstructions protruding from the roof can all block a worker’s view or become hazardous obstacles simply by being in the way.
• Trees, wires, and loose debris: It’s not uncommon for electrical wires to extend across roofs or for tree branches to partially obscure view. These hazards can cause roofers to trip or fall, and in the case of overhead power lines and HVAC equipment, sustain serious injuries.