Top safety tips for roofers
Posted on 12th Apr, 2016 | By Lorretta Tatham
While many tradespeople face dangers on a daily basis, roofers are up there at the top – facing life-changing dangers every day they access a roof. We already know how dangerous working at a height can be, and falls count for more deaths and injuries in construction that any other activity. Unfortunately, roofers are most at risk in the construction trade, with 24% of those killed from falls from a height being roofers.
Staying safe: Our top 10 tips
There are many precautions you can take to stay safe during roof work. Here is our top 10:
- Proper access equipment
Choose the right access equipment and make sure it’s in full working order. You can find a range of top quality roofing ladders on our website.
- Carry out a risk assessment beforehand
It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion if you’re uncertain about the safety of the work.
- Safe ladder set-up
Once you’ve got the go-ahead, set your ladder up securely and make sure it’s sitting on a level, stable surface. Ladder ties and stabilisers are also crucial for ensuring stability.
- Prepare your roof for work
This means clearing the site of debris and dangers and removing any hazards.
- Set up edge protection
Sometimes a roof parapet may provide enough protection, but if not, set up a guardrail or a toe board and brick guard.
- Set up a safe working area with a work platform
In many cases, working from the roof itself will be fine, but in some cases you will need a work platform.
- Don’t work in bad weather conditions.
Heavy wind and rain increase the risk of accidents and rain can cause slippery surfaces. In these cases, your health and safety is much more important than getting the job done.
- Use the relevant PPE as an extra precaution
Safety harnesses are really important and can be a lifesaver, should an accident occur. Sturdy boots, fit for the job, as well as a safety hat, are also a must.
- Transport material up to the roof safety
While it’s tempting to carry as much as you can up a ladder to save time, it pays to make several, safe, lighter load trips.
- Keep the site tidy at all times
Falling material is one of the biggest causes of injury in the construction industry. Never throw anything from a roof and use scaffold fans or debris netting to catch any falling materials – especially if you’re working in a public space.
For more top safety tips, why not book onto one of our Safety Training courses? We have plenty of offerings designed to transform your working environment into a safe one. Courses particularly relevant to roofers include:
Give us a call on 01282 615517 to find out more!
Are you a roofer? If so, why not share some of your experiences and top safety tips with our readers? You can leave your comments below or tweet us @BrownsLadders
