Although it doesn't have to be, roofing can be risky. You can protect your commercial roofers and those around them from hazards by having a roofing safety plan and the necessary safety gear.

Even though they are essential, hard hats and safety glasses are only one aspect of safety procedures. Safety precautions include appropriate equipment, thorough training, excellent communication, and help for all commercial roofers working on a site.

Any trustworthy commercial roofing company takes pride in upholding the safety guidelines. This is established by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to prevent accidents. 

OSHA Laws Protect Workers in 4 Ways

• Enforce safe working conditions to prevent major injury.
• Examine the records of illnesses and injuries sustained at work.
• Provide instruction and knowledge about potential workplace risks and how to avoid them.
• Provide instruction and details on the OSHA regulations that apply to their workplace.

Important Safety Measures

To get to know more about what commercial roofers need to know to protect themselves, here are things to consider for their safety:

Safety Rails and Permanent Perimeter Flag Lines

Commercial roofers must be protected from falling. This by possible through warning lines, guardrails, personal fall arrest, or safety net systems. But that is if the working surface has an unprotected edge and is 6 feet or higher above a lower level, according to OSHA regulations.

The first thing we do when we arrive at a job site is establish a safe working area. This is possible by erecting perimeter flag lines 6 feet from the edge on all project sides. Doing so will inform everyone on the job when they set foot on a roof. Thanks to the colorful flags and rope lines, nobody will venture too close to the edge.

For stronger physical protection against falls, commercial roofing contractors install perimeter safety rails. Besides perimeter sectioning, they are excellent for rooftop fall protection.

Access Ladders

One of the primary reasons for serious falls on construction sites is ladders. Ladders must be available wherever there is a "break in elevation."  For commercial roof repairs, fixed access ladders are crucial. Ladders guarantee that commercial roofers may climb and descend without worrying about slipping or falling.

Commercial roofers are especially exposed to fall hazards. This happens when acclimating to or leaving a scaffold. Safe access ladders must always be available because of this. Ladders must always adhere to OSHA regulations. Materials, weight restrictions, and safety measures should all follow job site specifications.

Roof Hatch Rails

On the rooftops of many commercial buildings are hatched. OSHA mandates roof hatch rails for buildings having hatches. These barriers are put up around roof hatches as a fall prevention strategy.

Safety Education

There is no need for instructions when mounting a ladder, but there is. OSHA mandates that employers instruct their staff on operating all equipment. This involves knowing how to operate and maintain tools. This includes scaffolds, fall prevention systems, and ladders.

Commercial roofers must also receive hazard recognition training from their employers. All fall protection equipment used in a worker's employment should be inspected. Other than that, it should also be disassembled and maintained. Employers are responsible for carrying out and upholding such regulations.

The workplace provides new training; fall protection and equipment should always be maintained and used.

Drink Plenty of Water

Commercial roof repairs occur in the blazing sun. They have demanding duties on the field. This needs continual hydration and energy for personal and physical safety. 

According to OSHA, commercial roofers should consume around 7 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes. This is done while performing demanding tasks like roofing. A great technique for a company to ensure their employees are safe and healthy is to have enough water on the roof. 

Thus, commercial roofers should comprehend the symptoms of heat exhaustion. They are expected to know the symptoms to look for in themselves and their coworkers to stay hydrated.

Personal Protection Gear

Employers are responsible for ensuring employees wear the proper gear. They give instructions on maintaining, checking, utilizing, and fitting protective equipment.

For instance, commercial roofers must use hearing and eye protection when using power tools. A safety feature that prevents unintentional discharge of power tools should also be present.

Further, commercial roofers must wear hearing and eye protection when working with compressed air. They must be able to check and confirm that the tool's pressure is set by the suggestions made by that tool. They must have access to, be familiar with, and use the proper respirators if any hazardous compounds are present.

Instruction in the Use of Heavy Equipment

Using appropriate gear and lightweight equipment are only two aspects of adhering to OSHA regulations.

Additionally, it mandates that all commercial roofers understand how to operate, maintain, and care for any heavy on-site equipment. They must be aware of current regulations and modifications because the rules are constantly updated or amended. For instance, operators of cranes must obtain certification and pass written and oral tests. 

Safety Checklist for Roofing

Reliable commercial roofers will finish a commercial roof inspection checklist before the job starts. Remember that each job is unique, and you'll need to modify your list of safety precautions to accommodate and guarantee safety on every job site. 

Here are the top questions to ask occasionally when doing construction and roofing services:

• How will we regularly gain access to the roof?
• Access points—are they in excellent condition?
• How are materials going to be moved to the roof?
• Are there any exposed edges or open sides?
• Are there guardrails, and are they up to code?
• Existing and readily visible walkways?
• Are there any obstacles in the walkways or on the roof?
• Are there any tanks, equipment, or pipes on the roof? 
• How do you plan to handle them?
• Are skylights screened?
• Are there guardrails on vents and hatches?
• Is there a possibility of falling because of the apparatus or the holes?
• Does everyone have the right safety gear for their particular jobs?
• Are there established and accepted communication protocols?
• Is the required signage in place?
• Have roofers access to enough water?
• Did each roofer have the necessary training to perform their tasks and comprehend the necessary tools?

Collaborate with a Competent Commercial Roofing Company

Any roofing project must include roofing safety. Commercial roofers run the risk of losing their life in the absence of a strong roofing safety strategy. This is why we take roofing safety so seriously, ensuring everyone working on or near a job site is always safe.

After reading the list of dangers, your commercial roof might appear to be a landmine. Even if unnecessary, these risks are the ideal justification for always having qualified commercial roofing contractors perform any repairs, inspections, and upkeep.

The professional commercial roofers at QDRUSA are qualified and have years of experience adhering to all safety regulations when working on roofs. 

Additionally, as an award-winning roofing contractor, they have a license that enables them to provide excellent outcomes at a reasonable rate. They can maintain your business roof in a state that fully secures and protects the contents of your facility, from warranty repair work to full roof renovation.

Contact them today, follow them on Twitter, and connect with them via Linkedin for more updates!