Is Roofing Hard?- Common Roofing Accidents And How To Avoid Them

Last Updated on July 31, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Roofing can be challenging, with common accidents like falls, material mishandling, and tool misuse. To avoid them, prioritize safety training, use proper personal protective equipment, secure ladders, and ensure a stable work surface. Regular inspections and cautious handling of materials also reduce risks.

What Are The Most Common Accidents In Roofing?

Roofer’s safety is not in many cases put into consideration while signing contracts despite the associated risks they are involved in. There are also no safety precautions that are used to prevent accidents when roofing. Some of the accidents involved include;

Falls

Falls are the most common accidents that roofers encounter. when employers fail to provide these professionals with safety gear for protection, they are likely to fall from dangerous heights, which could be fatal. In case of survival, the roofer is likely to be left with deadly injuries that may cost them a lot for treatment. Roofers should have fall protection systems and guard rail systems to prevent fatal results from an avoidable fall.

Injuries From Falling Objects

 Roofers are constantly being hit by falling objects which causes deaths or fatal injuries. They mostly come from tools and materials like ladders, construction materials, scaffolding parts, bricks, pieces, debris, or mortar that are not securely placed, causing them to fall on unsuspecting roofers. 

Heavy items such as bricks are fatal when they fall on anyone’s head, especially from a high distance. Loose and other construction materials should be placed in safe positions where they are unlikely to cause accidents. Heavy items such as a ladder should be properly attached if used on the heights of a building to prevent them from falling off.

Tools

 Some tools used by roofers are potentially dangerous and can cause fatal accidents. For example, nail guns, hoists, circular saws, power roof cutters, and electrical drills. Workers dealing with such tools must be properly trained as a single mistake when using them is a potential accident threat. They also need to have safety gear since using tools like the power roof cutters pose a threat to the workers’ eyesight.

Heat Exposure

During summer, roofers work under extreme heat, with temperatures rising over 90 degrees. Such high temperatures result in them suffering from sunburns, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses. Sometimes they even suffer from flesh burns and bruises. In cases of flat roof work involving hot tar, the heat is enough to cause skin burns and the risk of causing death.

Electrocution

 Electrocution is among the fatal four of roofing. Sometimes, the roofer’s ladder may come into contact with power lines causing them to be electrocuted. In cases of iron roofing, there is also a risk of being electrocuted if there happens to be a poor connection of lines or wiring within the house.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

 Doing the same thing repeatedly for a long time can cause tendinitis or pinched nerves. Roofers are involved in common actions such as hammering, carrying heavy loads, bending, and kneeling. All these activities can contribute to them suffering from repetitive motion injuries.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes While Roofing?

Replacing a roof should be a one-time investment and should be properly done to prevent future reinstallation. A single mistake while roofing is likely to cost you the entire roof. Some mistakes cannot be easily identified and will require some time before they are noticed. The following are some of the most common mistakes roofers do while roofing;

Improper Nailing

Poor use of nailing techniques causes damage to the roof shingle. Most damaged shingles result from few nails being used, or the nails used were too high. Roofers do this as it is cheaper, faster, and easier to install shingles in this way. A homeowner is unlikely to notice such a problem, and by the time they realize it, it is too late. Using the right nailing system is the only solution in such a case.

Lack Of Protective Gear

Some homeowners have no idea that most of the roof is hidden and is invisible, meaning that they cannot find out when a roof is poorly installed by viewing it from the ground. As a homeowner, always go for a roofer who gives you thorough details and explains every step they take while roofing. Some of these steps include starter strip installation, high-quality water, ice barrier, the underlayment of synthetic, full perimeter flushing, and any other activity. 

Poor roofing protection will cost you a lot in the long run, which could have been avoided had you taken precautionary measures during installation.

Overlaying

Avoid roofers who may want to overlay a layer of shingles on top of old shingles. Overlaying tends to void the warranty of your roof and hides away possible damages. It also traps excess heat, which could cause premature damage to the shingles. 

How Can You Avoid Roofing Accidents?

Roofing accidents are fatal, and you can avoid some of them despite the work being entirely dangerous. Major causes of roofing accidents include poor organization and coordination, low professionalism levels, and poor planning. To avoid accidents due to such factors, you could use the following tips;

Learn How To Work Under Any Weather Conditions

Roofers always carry out their activities on top of the roof. Some weather conditions can be very risky. It should be your responsibility to manage your work and provide the best outcomes. Conditions such as dehydration and heat stroke are situations you can master and learn how to avoid. For example, you could use light clothing and carry enough water with you to prevent dehydration. 

Avoid Distractions While Working.

Some roofers are easily distracted by activities on the roadside in busy environments. You need to be focused, which is very important in any construction zone, especially those involving slippery angles. A little form of distraction can cause fatal accidents where high buildings are involved.

Practice High Professionalism Levels

Professionalism is one of the best ways to avoid accidents for roofers. Things like a poorly placed ladder or the fall of an instrument are usually due to a lack of professionalism. Any roofing worker who has undergone the right training has enough knowledge and is careful in how they deal with tools and objects at work. Professional roofers will know a roofing problem when they see one, and they are not likely to accidentally trip on damaged surfaces.

Avoid Trees, Debris, And Wires.

 Rooftops are so delicate to the extent that you cannot predict what will happen next during roof construction. It is very damaging when a roof is exposed to trees, electric wires, and rock debris, and a fall is likely to occur. Leaves from trees make the roof slippery and are even more dangerous when they get soaked with water during rainy days. 

Electric wires are a major cause of electrocution for roofers, which is usually fatal. Debris or pieces of bricks causes falls as they are slippery and should be avoided at all cost. Proper measures should be taken to enable roofers to do their work seamlessly by avoiding trees, debris, and electricity wires.

Always Expect The Unexpected.

You need to be aware that anything can happen during a roof construction process. Such a mentality helps you be always ready and prepared for whatever problems you might encounter, such as falling off workers’ equipment. Being mentally prepared helps you to deal with such a situation without panicking and handle the situation yourself. It reduces further accidents which may result from anxiety.

How Can Roofers Prevent Slips, Trips, And Falls?

Slips and trips result in falls. When working on a roof, always remember your safety comes first. Ensure to use the right personal fall protection gear or PPE to enhance your safety. Some tips on how to prevent slips and trips include;

Use The Right Footwear.

Roofers and workers working at high heights are recommended to wear steel toes shoes. This type of footwear greatly contributes to preventing slips and falls. Ensure the shoes provide enough grip on the roof surface. Keep them away from mud and grease as much as possible.

Clean The Roof Surface Before Working On It

Dead leaves, dust, oil, and plastics are among the main reasons for slips. They tend to be slippery even for persons wearing the perfect footwear for the job. Cleaning away such floor contaminants before working on a roof can help reduce falls from slips.

Remove All Obstacles

Always keep your working area free of obstacles such as clutter and equipment so that neither you nor your co-worker will trip on them. Do not string cords or cables across the rooftop walkways as they could cause accidental falls.

Do Not Block Your Vision.

Avoid carrying so much equipment to the extent they block your vision. Ensure that you can see where you are stepping to spot possible trip or slip hazards on time.

Personal Protective Equipment for Working on a Roof

When working on a roof, it is essential to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure safety. Here are the key items in detail:

1. Hard Hat: A hard hat provides protection for your head from falling objects, such as tools, debris, or materials. It reduces the risk of head injuries and concussions.
2. Non-Slip Shoes: Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear with good traction to prevent slipping and maintain a stable grip on the roof surface, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
3. Safety Harness and Lanyard: A safety harness is critical for fall protection. It should be securely attached to an anchor point on the roof, preventing you from falling off the edge. The lanyard connects the harness to the anchor point, reducing the distance of a potential fall.
4. Gloves: Roofing work involves handling various materials, some of which may have sharp edges or be abrasive. High-quality gloves protect your hands from cuts, burns, and other injuries.
5. Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shields shield your eyes from debris, dust, and potential splashes of hazardous materials. They also safeguard against accidental eye injuries while working with tools or materials.
6. Clothing: Wear appropriate work attire, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants, to protect your skin from sharp objects and the sun’s UV rays. Consider lightweight, breathable fabric to stay comfortable during hot weather.
7. Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, especially if you’re working on the roof for an extended period.
8. Hearing Protection: For roofing jobs that involve loud machinery or tools, wear earplugs or earmuffs to prevent hearing damage and reduce noise-related stress.
9. Respiratory Protection: If your roofing work involves exposure to dust, fumes, or other airborne particles, use respiratory masks or respirators to protect your lungs and respiratory system.

Conclusion

Roofing is among the hardest and toughest jobs. Roofers are involved in a lot of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, and hammering. They may also encounter many accidents from slips and falls that are mostly fatal, especially when high buildings are involved. Learning the job is easy but doing it practically in the field requires more precautions and care.

References:

https://safetyculture.com/topics/roof-safety/
https://jkroofing.com/why-roofing-is-dangerous-how-to-prevent-injury/