Roofing can be a dangerous job when the right precautions are not taken. It is one of many professions that falls under OSHA’s protection, whose policies state that all roofers must have the proper protection to safely perform this essential job. Roofer services must ensure their employees adhere to these regulations that are designed to prevent or reduce the number of serious accidents occurring in this profession each year.
Provide Proper Training
Before climbing up onto the top of any homes or other buildings, roofers must be thoroughly educated on roofing safety and how to prevent falls. Besides learning the job itself, employees must also learn the many ways to keep themselves safe while working and how to use fall prevention safety gear. The company they work for should provide training so the worker knows how to plan and perform each job and understands the importance of fall prevention and protection before ever climbing up onto any roof.
Provide the Right Safety Gear
Along with safety training and a good work plan, roofer services must provide employees with the safety equipment necessary to prevent falls. Every worker should be equipped with the right Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) and trained about proper setup. When a full body harness and secure anchorage is used correctly, it protects workers by stopping a fall in progress.
In addition to a PFAS, employers should also provide fall restraint systems, such as guardrail systems, which stop falls by preventing workers from reaching the edge of the work areas where they could fall or slide. Other systems such as warning lines, warning alarms, and even safety nets can be used to protect employees from falls.
Plan Jobs Ahead of Time
Good planning should be an essential part of every job performed by roofers. Without a plan, accidents are more likely to occur. To prevent falls and other injuries, a preliminary inspection must always be done of any building where employees will work. Then generate a work plan addressing any challenges that are present, while maintaining employee safety through the use of fall arrest gear. Part of this planning must also include where and how to set up PFAS so there is no question about attachments or fall distances once the work begins.
Create A Rescue Plan
Planning ahead also means creating a rescue plan in the event that an accident does happen. Workers should be trained in what to do if a worker falls while wearing a PFAS as well as how to handle any other safety emergencies. To reduce injuries that could still occur with a PFAS, all roofers should understand that the fast rescue of fallen workers is important to prevent suspension injuries. All workers should know how to reach a fallen worker and get them to safety as well as what to do if an injury does occur during a job.
Teach Safe Use of Equipment
In addition to all of the above-mentioned measures, roofer services must also ensure that workers have safe and usable ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and any other necessary equipment. They must also know how to properly use all of this equipment. Instruction on how ladders can be used during rescues should be provided, along with training on how to securely set up scaffolding and guardrails plus the safe use of aerial lifts if they are required.
Although many roofers may be highly skilled at their jobs, accidents are always still possible. To prevent potentially deadly falls and other accidents, roofer services must provide essential work and safety training to all employees. Workers must be provided with safe, stable equipment and gear designed specifically for fall prevention or arrest. With proper planning that includes the above safety measures, employees can achieve job efficiency with the least amount of risk!