Anyone who has seen roofers trying to do their work on a roof with a steep pitch understands just how dangerous and difficult roofing can be. Instead of inviting trouble by ignoring good safety practices, it is in every roofer’s best interests to follow good safety tips for roofing work.
You can avoid injury by following good safety rules on roofing jobsites.
Avoid Working In Rain Or Snow
If you are working on a flat roof, then the weather is not as much of a factor safety as working on a steep pitch. If the rain or snow is falling outside, then you will want to rethink working on that day. According to Safety.com, the same careful approach should be taken on windy days as well. When the weather is not cooperating, it is best to avoid inviting injury by working.
Use Quality Ladders
The roofing materials manufacturer GAF reminds roofers to be careful with the equipment they choose. You should only trust a ladder that is in good working order, and certified for safety. You should never over-extend a ladder just because you do not feel like getting a longer one. Use ladders properly, and you will be able to reduce the number of falls that occur on your roofing worksite.
Follow Harness Laws
Most states have laws requiring roofing workers to use harnesses while working at certain heights, and it is a good idea for workers to follow their laws for their own safety. To be truly safety conscious, you should wear a harness that is attached to a secure anchor any time you are working on a ladder or a higher elevation.
Keep Your Work Area Clean And Organized
When you leave work materials and tools lying around, you are creating tripping hazards that could lead to serious injuries. If you spill liquid on a floor or slick surface you are working on, then clean it up quickly to avoid creating a slip and fall hazard. With a little housekeeping on your job site, you can help prevent careless accidents.
Stay Focused
It is common for roofers to get visitors to their job sites, and that causes the roofers to take their focus off of what they are doing. When you are working on a roof, or whenever you are standing in a roofing work area, then you need to stay focused on what you are doing at all times. One false move could find you falling off the roof and getting seriously injured.
Make your roofing worksite safe by developing good safety habits.
Wear The Proper Clothing
Loose fitting clothing or clothing with a lot of openings can create nothing but problems on a job site. If you want to avoid the types of unique accidents that occur when your shirt gets caught on your ladder, then be sure to wear the proper types of clothes to every job.
PDH Contractors has continuing education courses for contractors that will help you to understand the best policies for roofing safety. You can go to the PDH Contractors website and browse courses by state to find the course that fits your needs and will give you all of the right safety information.