When it comes to installing a roof, safety should be your number-one priority. Skipping
good safety practices because they take too much time makes it all the more likely
that an accident will happen—so why take that chance?
There are many safety issues to consider if you are planning to install your own
roof. It’s imperative that you take the proper precautions in order to avoid serious
injury or even death. Some of the most important areas to address are:
- Work area
Make sure you have a clean, organized work area. Block it off from children and
pets. Identify and avoid all site danger areas, such as dangerous power lines, unsafe
roof access areas, and underground hazards (such as cesspools and power lines).
- Falls
Falls account for many serious injuries and deaths in construction. According to
Professional Roofing magazine, an average of 6 roofers die each month in
the U.S. from falls. It’s vital to take appropriate steps to minimize your risk
of slipping and falling. Some of these include:
- Never work on a wet roof.
- Keep your work area as clean of dirt, tools, and debris as possible.
- Wear safe footwear—soft-soled boots provide the best roof traction.
- When working on a steeply pitched roof, protect yourself with safety equipment such
as a safety harness, net, and guardrails.
- Set up and climb your ladder properly.
- Always wear a helmet to protect your head and prevent more serious injury if you
fall.
- Ladder safety
When it comes to ladders, type 1A ladders are safest. Use ladders that conform to
local codes or are approved by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration. Inspect your ladder carefully before use.
Don’t use a damaged or makeshift ladder.
Make sure to set up your ladder properly. Place your ladder on solid, level footing
(driveways that slope down away from the roof are a serious risk for ladders). Tie
your ladder off at the top or secure with a plywood brace. Set your ladder against
a solid backing. Very important—extend your ladder 36 inches above the landing or
roof eave to provide a secure location to grab when transitioning from the roof
to the ladder.
Make sure to climb your ladder safely—always face the ladder, use one rung at a
time, never slide down a ladder, and do not overload your ladder. Don’t push a ladder
in to “stretch” it because it’s too short; that makes it too steep and unstable.
Make sure you don’t have to reach or stretch too far off the ladder.
Never leave ladders unattended. Remove all ladders from your work area every day
or lock them together on the ground overnight.
Important: Keep ladders away from electrical wires and boxes at
all times! There have been far too many deaths of roofers due to metal ladders set
up near electrical wires.
- Electrical safety
Electricity can leap or “arc” from a wire to a ladder several feet away. Make sure
to use a non-conductive ladder of wood or fiberglass when working near wires. Never
touch electrical wires with your hands or tools. Remember that metal materials such
as flashing and drip edge should never touch electrical wires.
Important: If it’s necessary to work near electrical wires, call
your local power company first. They should inspect the wires and insulate them
if necessary.
- Hammer safety
When using a hammer, always wear eye protection. Strike nails squarely to reduce
the chance of nails flying back at you. Discard damaged hammers with cracked handles
or heads. Never strike a hardened steel hammer against another hardened steel object.
- Power nail safety
Treat this tool with extreme care. A pneumatic nail gun is basically a weapon. Check
the operation of the safety; never tie back or disengage the safety. Only use when
the gun is on the material to be fastened. Use a well-lubricated and inspected nail
gun. Do not rest the tool against your body to eliminate misfires. Use caution with
air power—only use clean, dry compressed air, disconnect the air supply as soon
as you are finished, never work on the tool when connected to the air supply, and
inspect hoses for breaks or leaks. Keep the tool clean and maintained properly.
Never point nail guns at people.
- Utility knife safety
Always cut away from your body. Don’t use a dull blade; dull blades have to be forced,
increasing the chances of slipping. Replace blades frequently. Retract the blade
when storing to reduce the chance of accidental cuts. Remember, always cut away
from your body to help prevent injury.
- Material handling
When lifting heavy materials, always use your legs, not your back. It can be surprising
just how much material must be delivered to and moved around a roofing jobsite!
Be sure to carry one bundle at a time—carrying too much fatigues the body and is
unsafe on ladders and rooftops. Store material close to the roof—the closer to the
roof, the less time and energy wasted retrieving material.
You can find more detailed information on roofing safety through various sources
online. Here are just a few you may wish to review:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues guidelines for Residential
Fall Protection (the use of nets, guardrails, harnesses, etc.). GAF recommends compliance
with these guidelines. You can view their Guidance Document on "Fall Protection in Residential Construction"
here.
Construction
Solutions is a database of information on work hazards and practical control
measures to reduce or eliminate those hazards. You’ll find safety tips for roofing,
ladder use, and roof demolition.
- Tools and Safety Equipment
It is imperative to use the proper tools and safety equipment when installing a
roof. Always invest in the right tool for the job.
The tools you will need to install a roof may include, but are not limited to:
- Air compressor
- Carpenter's level
- Caulking gun
- Chalk line
- Chisel
- Circular saw
- Clamp
- Claw hammer
- Clean-up cloth
- Combination square
- Electric drill
- Finish hammer
- Framing hammer
- Hacksaw
- Hand saw
- Magnet
- Nail gun
- Roofing shovel
- Saw horse
- Screwdriver set
- Seaming pliers
- Shingle cutter
- Shingle remover or ripper
- Staple gun
- Sturdy ladder(s)
- Tape measure
- Tin snips
- Utility knife
- Wrench set
The safety equipment you will need to install a roof may include, but is not limited
to:
- Eye protection
- Guardrails
- Ladder stabilizer
- Lanyard
- Netting
- Roof anchors
- Roof brackets
- Rope
- Safety harness
- Scaffolding
- Work gloves
