Flat Roof Safety
One would think that a flat roof would be relatively safe to work on compared to a sloped roof. Generally, it is but there are still danger’s workers must be aware of when working on a flat roof.
The most important safety device you can utilize while working on a flat roof is sitting right on your shoulders – your head. It seems simple enough but more workers are killed in the construction industry by not thinking about what they are doing and taking their safety for granted. You have a brain that is quite capable of identifying dangerous situations so use it. When something does not look quite right, question its safety before doing anything.
A roofer needs to be aware of how close they are to the edge. Walking and talking to a co-worker is great but be aware of hazards that you can trip over. Simply tripping over a pipe or some other object can send you hurdling off the edge of the roof. The same thing can happen if a co-worker is carrying a long object and is unaware of other workers. Or quite simply, a strong gust of wind can cause you to lose your balance.
Other flat roof safety measures are a little different than sloped roofs. For instance:
- Skylights are considered holes and must be properly covered to prevent a fall.
- A parapet (which is a short wall at the edge of a flat roof) must be at least 39 – 45 inches tall before it can be considered a safety device. Anything shorter than this then a rail must be installed.
- Ladders must extend 36 inches from the edge of the building so the worker has something to hold onto when entering and exiting the roof.
Fall arrest systems are widely used in the roofing industry and are mandatory in Ontario, but many roofers do not realize the tether should not allow them to fall from the edge of the roof. It should be short enough to prevent one from getting near the edge. Never take shortcuts when tethering yourself.
The most important safety precaution you can use on a flat roof is never turn your back on the edge. Always keep it in sight and know where you are in relation to the edge.
When working on a flat roof there also must be a line of safety marked out which is usually about 6 feet from the edge. In this safety zone, there can be no equipment, materials, or anything that could block or cause a worker to fall.
Safety measures can seem like a nuisance, but they are in place for a reason. And that reason is for your personal safety. Never let safety take a back seat no matter where you are working. Do not be afraid to speak up when your safety is in jeopardy. It is far better to be let go from a job than let go from your life.
At Essential Flat Roofing, safety is their top concern. That is why they spend more than the required time educating their employees in roof safety and making sure their safety certifications are always kept up to date and followed.
No matter who you hire as your flat roofing specialist, always ask for an updated WSIB certificate before allowing any work to be done. This ensures that should a worker be injured on the job, you as the property owner are protected against any wrongdoing. Only qualified roofing contractors have the WSIB certificate. so if they cannot produce one before working on your roof, you can be assured they are less than adequate to do your work.
Your roofing contractor should also be certified in areas such as fall prevention, handling propane, first aid, and ladder safety. These are all important factors to keep in mind when choosing a roofing contractor. Do not overlook safety for price. It could cost you more in the end than you save.