Roofing Safety Procedures

By Dymon BradyWhen deciding whether to inspect your roof, do a repair, or walk on your roof for any other reason, there are several steps you can take to ensure your safety. These safety procedures are often overlooked, causing accidents that can effect a person and their family for years to come. However, if you invest just a small amount of time educating yourself of the potential dangers of your roof, you may avoid these incidents all together.One of the most important things you should know is to avoid getting on a steep roof unless you have proper safety equipment. For example, a safety harness will prevent any falls from doing serious damage. If you do not have access to safety equipment, or if you are inexperienced on a roof, you may want to call a roofing company to inspect or repair your roof.Even regular and low sloped roofs require precaution. Before climbing on your roof, ask yourself the following questions:-Could the roof be slippery from dew, ice, rain, snow, etc? If so, wait until your roof is dry.-Is there debris on the roof? Sawdust, wood, shingle particles and even leaves should be swept up frequently.-What type of shoes are you wearing? Rubber-soled boots will generally provide good traction, as opposed to leather-soled boots. Be sure your shoes are not badly worn.-Is the roof stable? If you suspect a leak or any other problem that could effect your roofs stability, be very careful when you walk - testing each area before putting your full weight on it.If you encounter any issues that could pose a hazard, call a roofing company immediately. They should be better trained to know the hazards and prevent any further damage to your roof or themselves.There is a vast array of safety gear available to roofing employees. These devices would include harnesses, slings, ropes and cleats, among many other items. Each roofer should easily find the safety equipment that best suits their needs. However, as many as 80 percent of installers do not use these safety devices.You may be wondering how the use of safety equipment would affect you and your property? Statistics show that the use of roofing safety gear increases productivity, meaning the job will be completed faster and with more efficiency. Also, roofing companies that show care in keeping their employees safe will be more likely to ensure that your property is kept safe and intact.When faced with the task of picking a roofing company to work on your property, ask about the safety precautions they may or may not have in place. Brady Roofing adheres to all of the current OSHA (occupational safety and health administration) requirements. They also take great care in keeping your property and anyone on it safe during construction.For more information on safe roofing and procedures, review our quality control checklists.Contact us with any questions.Request a free estimate today!