Safety when working on the roof – best practices

Roofs are high above the ground, which means they are dangerous just because of the height factor. Once you add in the elements and other hazards, you and your employees will face more problems than you ever thought possible. Fortunately, there are some things you can all do to stay safe when you spend most of your days on rooftops.

However, you must first be aware of the many different dangers you may face when on a roof.

9 Roofing Dangers You Should Be Aware Of

1. Skylights

Everyone thinks skylights are safe because they are made of glass that resists the elements. However, if too much weight is placed on a skylight, it can easily break and give way, causing a person to fall.

• Safe Installation:

  • Hire qualified professionals to install the skylight in accordance with safety standards.
  • Check that the roof structure can support the weight of the skylight and human traffic.
  • Use suitable fixing materials and follow the manufacturer's instructions during installation.

• Protection Barriers:

  • Install handrails or guardrails around the skylight to prevent accidental falls.
  • Make sure protective barriers meet local and national safety standards.
  • Regularly check the integrity of protective barriers and make repairs as necessary.

• Regular Maintenance:

  • Clean the skylight regularly to ensure adequate light transmission.
  • Check sealing joints and fittings to prevent water leaks.
  • Replace any damaged or worn skylight parts immediately.

• Adequate Signage:

  • Place warning signs near the skylight to alert you to the presence of an opening in the roof.
  • Use visible signs or notices to indicate when the skylight is open or closed.

• Worker Training:

  • Provide training to workers on the risks associated with working near skylights.
  • Instruct workers to always wear personal protective equipment, such as seat belts, when working on roofs with skylights.

• Regular Inspections:

  • Perform periodic skylight inspections to ensure its structural integrity and functionality.
  • Look for signs of damage, corrosion or wear and take corrective action as necessary.

• Restricted access:

  • Limit access to the area around the skylight to authorized and trained personnel only.
  • Keep access doors or hatches locked when the area is not in use to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Stairs

Ladders are the easiest way for everyone to get to the roof, but there's no guarantee they're the safest. If you forget to secure your ladder, it may slide and move as you go up and down. Additionally, your ladder may start to fall once you reach the roof, and if you grab it and miss, you could end up falling too.

• Safe Project:

  • Ensure that stairs are designed and constructed in accordance with safety standards, taking into account strength, stability and load capacity.
  • Choose resistant and durable materials for the construction of the stairs, ensuring their structural integrity.

• Handrails and Guardrails:

  • Install handrails on both sides of stairs to provide support and stability for users.
  • Place guardrails along stairs, especially in places where there is a risk of falling, to avoid accidents.

• Adequate Lighting:

  • Keep the stairwell area well lit to ensure good visibility, especially at night or in places with little natural light.
  • Install emergency lights and appropriate signage to facilitate evacuation in the event of an emergency.

• Non-slip:

  • Use non-slip materials on stairs to prevent slips and falls, especially in wet or slippery environments.
  • Regularly maintain stair surfaces by removing dirt, oil or other materials that could make them slippery.

• Regular Maintenance:

  • Regularly check the condition of stairs, including treads, handrails and guardrails, and make repairs or replacements as necessary.
  • Look for signs of wear, corrosion or structural damage and take immediate corrective action.

• User Training:

  • Provide adequate training to stair users on safe and correct use, including climbing and descending techniques, use of handrails, and safety precautions.
  • Encourage awareness of the risks associated with inappropriate use of ladders and promote a culture of safety in the workplace.

• Emergency Signage:

  • Install clear and visible emergency signage near stairs, indicating evacuation routes, emergency exits and safe locations.
  • Conduct regular evacuation drills to ensure users are familiar with emergency safety procedures.

• Periodic Inspections:

  • Schedule regular inspections of stairs by qualified professionals to assess their condition and compliance with safety standards.
  • Document all inspections and any corrective measures taken to ensure the continued compliance and safety of the stairs.

3. Extreme heat

Roofing materials absorb heat from the sun, which makes it even hotter on hot days. Everyone should be prepared to take breaks and drink plenty of water to avoid overheating and dehydration while on any roof.

• Adequate Hydration:

  • Direct sun exposure on the roof increases the risk of dehydration due to the high ambient temperature.
  • Make sure workers have constant access to fresh drinking water while on the roof and encourage them to drink regularly, even if they don't feel thirsty.

• Suitable Clothing:

  • Intense heat on the roof can cause discomfort and increase the risk of overheating.
  • Instruct workers to wear lightweight, breathable, light-colored clothing to reflect heat, as well as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for additional protection against UV rays.

• Working Hours:

  • Roof temperatures can be higher during certain times of the day, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion.
  • Schedule roof work in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler, minimizing exposure to extreme heat.

• Shading and Shelter:

  • The lack of shade on the roof can worsen thermal discomfort for workers.
  • Install tents or portable umbrellas on the roof to create shaded areas where workers can rest during breaks, helping to reduce direct sun exposure.

• Intervals and Pauses:

  • Continuously working in extreme heat on the roof can increase the risk of exhaustion and heatstroke.
  • Implement regular rest and rehydration breaks in shaded areas or cool environments, allowing workers to recover from excessive heat.

4. Exterior Exit

Some buildings have nice exits that allow people to get to the roof without stairs, which may seem like a pretty safe option. However, these items can still break and you can easily find yourself in a situation that is not as safe as you would like.

• Secure Access:

  • Make sure roof access ladders are securely attached and in good working condition. Install handrails or safety devices around access areas to prevent falls.

• Adequate Lighting:

  • Install adequate lighting around roof access areas and along escape routes to ensure good visibility, even at night or in low-light conditions.

• Evacuation Training:

  • Conduct regular training with workers to ensure they are familiar with correct roof evacuation procedures.

• Weather Condition Monitoring:

  • Be aware of weather conditions, especially strong winds, rain or snow, which can make going on the roof dangerous. Implement procedures to delay or stop evacuation if conditions are unsafe.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Provide adequate PPE, such as hard hats and safety harnesses, for workers who need to access or evacuate through the roof. Make sure they are properly trained in the correct use of this equipment.

5. Loose Debris

It's very easy to trip when you're on the roof, especially when there's loose debris everywhere. Most of the loose debris will be leaves and tree branches, but you may also find tools and construction materials when you're up there. While any debris is bad, it will be worse when the wind is blowing hard because everything up there will be flying and you will have the chance of more debris ending up where you least expect it.

• Regular Inspection:

  • Perform regular roof inspections to identify and remove any loose debris, such as leaves, twigs or rocks, that could pose tripping or slipping hazards.

• Scheduled Cleaning:

  • Establish a regular roof cleaning schedule to remove accumulated debris, preventing structural overload and reducing the risk of roof damage.

• Proper Storage:

  • Store materials and equipment on the roof in an organized and safe manner, using appropriate containers or structures to prevent them from becoming loose debris.

• Workers Protection:

  • Provide personal protective equipment, such as heavy-duty gloves and non-slip shoes, for workers who have to deal with removing debris from the roof.

• Security Training:

  • Train workers to safely identify and handle loose debris, emphasizing the importance of caution and the correct use of removal tools and equipment.

6. Slippery areas

Above we mentioned the extreme heat, but now it's time to discuss the slippery conditions. Whether you're just dealing with rain or ice and snow on your roof, you could fall without warning.

• Regular Cleaning:

  • Periodically clean the roof to remove dirt, moss, algae or any other material that could make the surface slippery.

• Anti-Slip Treatment:

  • Apply suitable anti-slip products to the roof surface, such as special coatings or chemical solutions, to increase grip and reduce the risk of slipping.

• Guardrail Installation:

  • Place guardrails around the most slippery or dangerous areas of the roof to provide a physical barrier of protection for workers.

• Use of Protective Equipment:

  • Require workers to wear shoes with non-slip soles and personal protective equipment, such as safety harnesses, when working on slippery areas of the roof.

• Adequate Signage:

  • Install signs indicating slippery or dangerous areas on the roof to alert workers to potential hazards and encourage them to take additional precautions.

7. Electrical locations

When you're on the roof, you'll also be close to power lines, solar panels, HVAC equipment lines, and conduits. While these items aren't actually dangerous as long as you leave them alone, they can become problematic if you get too close or if they become damaged.

• Adequate Insulation:

  • Make sure all electrical equipment on the roof is properly insulated and protected from the weather to prevent electrical shock.

• Weather Protection:

  • Install protective boxes or water-resistant enclosures around electrical devices to protect them from moisture and exposure to the elements.

• Clear Labeling:

  • Clearly label all electrical locations, such as control panels or circuit breaker boxes, to facilitate identification and prevent accidents caused by improper handling.

• Restricted access:

  • Keep access to electrical locations restricted to authorized and trained personnel only, using locking devices or physical barriers as necessary.

• Regular Inspections:

  • Perform regular inspections of roof electrical equipment to identify and correct any safety or maintenance issues before they become a major concern.

8. Exposure to chemicals

Older roofs may be covered in asbestos or other toxins, so you should be careful about what you touch or breathe. If you notice any type of feces, lead, or other toxins on your roof, you should take appropriate precautions before continuing with your work.

• Personal Protection:

  • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and respirators when handling chemicals on your roof.

• Safe Handling:

  • Become familiar with the chemicals used on your roof and follow all safe handling instructions provided by the manufacturer.

• Proper Storage:

  • Store chemicals properly and safely in well-labeled containers and away from sources of heat or ignition.

• Adequate Ventilation:

  • Ensure good ventilation when handling and applying chemicals to the roof to minimize exposure to harmful vapors.

• Immediate Wash:

  • In case of contact with chemicals, immediately wash the affected area with clean water and seek medical attention if necessary.

9. Repetitive motion injuries

When people work on a roof, they do the same thing over and over again. Typically it's laying tiles and nailing, but there are other tasks that are also repetitive. You must be careful when carrying out these activities and take regular breaks so that you do not get injured after some time.

• Adequate Heating:

  • Do stretches and warm-up exercises before starting work on the roof to prepare your muscles and reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries.

• Correct posture:

  • Maintain proper posture while working on the roof, avoiding excessive bending or twisting of the body that can cause strain on muscles and joints.

• Rest Intervals:

  • Take regular breaks to rest and relax your muscles, alternating between activities that require different muscle groups to avoid overloading a specific area of ​​the body.

• Use of Ergonomic Equipment:

  • Use ergonomic tools and equipment designed to reduce physical strain and fatigue while working on the roof, such as non-slip handles and lifting devices.

• Training in Lifting Techniques:

  • Receive training in proper techniques for lifting and carrying materials on the roof to prevent back and upper limb injuries.

All of the dangers mentioned above can't always be avoided, but there are things you can do to keep everyone safe when working on your roof.

4 Things to Practice for Roof Safety

1. Never be alone on the roof

The best thing you can do when you're on the roof is to make sure you're never there alone! At least two people should be on the roof at the same time so that one can call for help if something happens to the other person.

If you go there alone, you run the risk of no one finding you if you get hurt in any way. Plus, when you have a friend, they can see something you don't, and that can save both of you from injury or even death.

2. Always carry a communication device

When you are on the roof, or when your employees go on the roof, you should always find a way to communicate with you. Whether it's a walkie-talkie, a smartphone, or another device, you should have some way to ask for help if you need it. You may also want to install safety checks that can be done every fifteen minutes or so, which will ensure that the rest of the workers know that the people on the roof are safe.

3. Perform routine inspections

There are so many things that can go wrong with a roof, so it's important to carry out regular inspections. These inspections can show if weak spots are forming or if other major damage is slowly forming. It's best to know about weak spots and other damage as soon as possible because this will prevent someone from falling off the roof when it gets really bad. And if you don't do regular inspections, you won't know there's a weak spot in the roof and someone could step on it before realizing what's about to happen.

4. Have a rescue plan

Whenever someone is on the roof, you should have a rescue plan in place in case something bad happens. If someone collapses on that roof, you want to be sure of how the medical team will get there to help that person, as well as know how they will get them down for further treatment.

Staying safe on a roof is never easy, but once you know the dangers and have plans in place to stay safe, you should be able to work there without any problems. However, no one should get too comfortable on a roof, because even with all the precautions you can take, accidents can happen without any prior warning. Therefore, we recommend following safety practices when on a rooftop and continuing to look for ways to make your time on rooftops safer than ever.