Jordan
It’s your responsibility to look after the safety and health of other roofers besides yourself as they work on the roof. This ensures any potential hazards are avoided. First, you should know the hazards you are likely to face when dealing with an under-maintained roof. This enables you to think of the best ways of avoiding them.
Regardless of the roof situation, you should put safety precautions first for fall protection. The experts at AlbanyRoofingPros.com recommend to always use the right equipment when accessing the roof. Knowing and having personal protection equipment will save your life, this is based on fatalities in roofing work. It is worth taking seriously for your safety and to prevent unnecessary fall accidents that can even end your life. Below are the common hazards of under-maintained roofs.
1. Stability Problems
An unstable roof can easily collapse under the weight of the roofer. Therefore, the first thing to do is check the stability before more roofers go up to avoid falling accidents or roof collapse. The trusses should be intact. Ensure the roof is not bowing on a hot day. Go ahead and check the underlayment before climbing to the roof.
2. Improper Placement of Roof Ladder
Incorrectly placing your ladder can lead to serious roofing accidents. The feet of the ladder must always be secure and the top part is tied to your roof for a firm grip. Make it a priority to first inspect with the roofing contractor the ladder position and the area around it before climbing up.
3. Weather Conditions
Roof shingles can be slippery when it’s raining or snowing, which makes it easy to fall. Furthermore, snow adds more weight to your roof. When the roof is too wet, any roofing work should be first postponed until weather conditions improve. Riskier roofs are membrane roofs and work on such roofs should be avoided during poor weather conditions.
4. Holes in Your Roof
Always check the roof for unguarded skylights or any kind of holes. Falling through open holes on the roof leads to serious injuries and can be deadly. This is something that you can avoid by checking the state of the roof first before starting roof repair. OSHA regulations require that such roofs must have a railing or skylight screens on all the exposed sides.
5. Loss of Awareness of the Edge
It’s easy to forget that you are closer to the edge while making roofing installation, repairs or replacements. A fall from the roof can have serious fatalities even if you are an experienced roofer. It’s easy to lose your track while on the roof and step too close to the edge, losing your balance in the process. Therefore, take precautions by stopping every moment to know your exact position on the roof. This helps prevent fall accidents. You can be too engrossed in your work that you momentarily forget that you are too close to the edge.
6. Lack of Proper Training
The roofers need proper training on safety to enable them to take adequate precautions and avoid falling accidents. Undergoing standard training makes it easy for you to be safe while working on the roof. Wear the important safety gadgets or elements you are trained to wear when on the roof.
7. Using Equipment Improperly
You need safety equipment to stay safe on the roof. This protects you when used properly. Common mistakes include having a longer lanyard with a weak tie-off point. Therefore, understand how to use the fall protection equipment before using it to ensure that it serves the intended purpose without falling.
8. Poor Line of Vision
A lot of things can block your eyesight while working on the roof such as ridge vents, chimneys, or even other roofers on the roof. It’s good to maintain a good line of sight, as it helps you know your location concerning where the edge is and other potential hazards.
9. Slope of the Roof
Some roofs have steeper slopes which increase the likelihood of fall accidents than those with flat surfaces. Therefore, there is more danger of falling when working on a sloped roof. You can also get hurt by falling shingles. Secure the shingles properly to prevent injuries.
10. Fall Heights and Split Level Roof
This type of roofing has safety concerns as the highest point is further from the ground as compared to a single level home. The chance of you falling from the side is greater because the areas may not have any barriers to prevent fall accidents. Edges more than 6-feet above the ground should have the right fall protection equipment.
Knowing the potential hazards listed above helps you work on the roof without any accident incidents. Familiarize yourself with the safety precautions and abide by them for your safety and other roofers in that project. Make a point to evaluate the state of the roof and make safety adjustments depending on the condition of the roof. Visit roofing pros to get quality roofing solutions for your property or project.
