For both flat roofs and residential roofs, taking proper safety precautions is extremely importance.
Not only is proper safety gear essential for roofing contractors working on a project, but it's also essential for homeowners, building owners and property managers that are interacting with their roof. Here at AskARoofer we recommend avoiding getting on your roof as much as possible, that's a job best suited to the professionals who have all the roofing resources and safety gear, but we also know that each year there are many tragic fall accidents that happen to both roofers and civilians.
There are steps and roofing products that can be fitted on both flat roofs and residential that can make them much safer for anyone and everyone who has to access them. These solutions, which can be temporary or permanent, make navigating a roof much safer, no matter if the person is on there for roof maintenance, to hang Christmas lights, reroof the entire building or something else. Check out more of this roofing information below!
According to roofing expert and long-time industry professional, John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group, the only way to properly implement safety standards is to make sure they are rigorously monitored and followed at all times. He shares that following safety standards is a moral obligation, and a legal one as well. Here are some of the ways contractors ensure the safety of themselves, their crews and those within and around the buildings they’re working on:
- Familiarity with OSHA standards and regulations to prevent incurring fines and infraction charges
- Make it mandatory that all members of the crew wear a harness on the job
- Wear proper footwear such as those with non-slip soles and high tops to allow for better traction and protection of the ankles
- Take note of upcoming weather patterns and prepare accordingly
- Before starting on a roof, take note of any and all potential hazards and debris that could potentially cause harm during the job
Read the rest of John’s top ten safety measures contractors implement on the job.
FlashCo has recently launched an extensive fall protection line, featuring devices and structures designed to be non-invasive to the roof structure as it allows roofers to move freely throughout the project without the risk of falling. This line consists of a total grip horizontal lifeline system, tie-back anchors and architectural roof supports. These products are compatible with most roof decks and can be used with a variety of mounting options that best fit the project at hand.
In regions that receive snowfall throughout the year, installing snow retention systems on roofs can help prevent heavy snow drifts from falling onto vulnerable people who might be walking below. Each year, many people fall victim to horrible avalanches like these, which can easily be prevented with proper safety systems like snow guards.
Snow guards are permanent mounted systems designed to protect both people and property, allowing for accumulated snow to melt and shift off the roof in controlled, smaller segments that are less destructive and dangerous. Brands like Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, TRA Sun & Snow and S-5!® have created lines of snow retention systems and snow guards designed to protect residential and commercial buildings from heavy snow falls.
SteelGrip SAMM is known for their mats, which are designed to aid in providing roofing professionals with a more secure footing and grip while working on a steel roof or elevated steel surface. The SteelGrip SAMM, Safety Assistant Magnetic Mat, was designed to provide a long-term solution for industry professionals in need of a high-quality product that would help keep their feet on the roof as they work.
The Catch-All is a company dedicated to protecting the integrity and beauty of homeowners’ properties and lawns. The Catch-All product line is designed to help residential contracting crews keep jobsites clean and safe with minimal damage to property while also eliminating the hassle of manual clean up post job.
Ask your contractor if they use The Catch-All or a similar product to keep your property safe!
The RIDGEPRO® is a top-of-the-line safety device designed for steep-slope roofing. For contractors working in residential roofing, this product is an adjustable roofing anchor system perfect for daily use while working on the job. Dedicated to helping reduce and prevent falls, the RIDGEPRO team designed this device to dramatically reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in steep-slope roofing applications. Whether your project is big or small, safety devices such as these can make all the difference for the contractors working on your roof!
Learn about the RIDGEPRO’s support of National Safety Stand Down Day.
The safety experts at Tremco have created an extensive system of various commercial roofing fall protection solutions designed to prevent dangerous falls or hazards commonly encountered on commercial roofs. For Tremco, safety is of utmost importance, and creating reliable systems contractors can rely on is their top priority.
These non-penetrating systems cover all rooftop needs, from sturdy crossovers and molded grating walkways to skylight guards and safety ladders. And they won’t damage your roof either! Their line of fall prevention solutions is ready to provide crews and building owners with peace of mind over their safety.
Tremco offers commercial building owners the opportunity to receive a free evaluation, which could help save hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines from fall protection violations.
