Roofing Contractors Hazards During New Installation

It goes without saying that roof installation is a rather dangerous job. Still, no matter how experienced a roofer is, they can never know what to expect when going out on a roofing job.

What we mean by this is that there is no foolproof way to predict the weather conditions when you set out to work on a customer’s roof.

Ultimately, we’d like to point out some of the most dangerous weather conditions for roof installation out there. We’d also like to give some tips on how employers can help maximize workplace safety.

Working in Hot Weather

Working in blistering heat is pretty much a given in Florida, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. Roofers can easily succumb to heat strokes and extreme exhaustion, which can cause them to seriously hurt themselves.

While there’s no way to turn off the sun, as an employer, it’s your job to do everything possible to keep your employees safe and comfortable.

For starters, always consider sending out more than one person to complete a job, even if you consider it to be a one-man job. Doing so will ensure that the job is done faster. Moreover, it will allow your employees to take turns resting when necessary.

And speaking of resting, remember that it’s your responsibility to encourage your employees to take breaks and drink plenty of fluids while on the job.

Working in the Rain/During a Storm

Working in the rain is incredibly dangerous. But installing a new roof on someone’s home during a storm is simply impossible. Checking weather conditions before setting off on a job is one way to avoid working in a storm. Unfortunately, it’s not always foolproof.

Ultimately, if your employees have already started the job, they’ll need to keep working until they secure all the roofing materials.

As an employer, you need to make sure your employees are trained on what to do in an emergency situation such as a rainstorm, thunderstorm, or hailstorm. Also, you will need to provide them with sturdy ladders, ropes, as well as durable hard-hats.

Working in Windy Conditions

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, it’s safe to work on a roof during wind speeds of under 40 mph.  However, handling roofing materials is only advisable in wind speeds of under 30 mph. Anything over that is dangerous. That is unless you provide your roofers with special equipment such as safety harnesses, sturdy ladders, hardhats, etc.

Employers ought to train their employees on hazard recognition and fall protection systems. They should also conduct job site inspections on a regular basis.

The Conclusion

Roofing is a dangerous occupation by itself, but with the addition of bad weather conditions, the risk of injury will skyrocket.

Ultimately, the key to running a successful roofing company is preparation. Prime Roofing takes employee safety very seriously, and we have an extensive bootcamp-like training program for all of our newly hired roofing contractors. We feel it is our responsibility to provide our employees with the proper training that will prepare them for roofing in every possible weather condition.

Call us today at (904) 530-1446 or visit our schedule an estimate page to send us a message.