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Roof & Ladder Safety

Roofing and ladder safety can pertain to roofers, contractors who work on a roof occasionally, and to the private citizen. Although OSHA (Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety standards apply to businesses, individuals should take the same safety precautions set up to protect workers.

  1. Ladder Safety

    • OSHA has specific requirements for ladder use. The main points that pertain to roofing jobs are choosing the right ladder and the correct ladder length for the job, use ladders for climbing and not working from, and do not tie ladders together.

      The OSHA ladder safety standard states a ladder must have regular inspections for defects or damage. Do not use an unsafe ladder.

      Ladder safety also includes keeping them 10 feet or more from power lines. For safety, two or more people should move and set up a ladder, and secure it at the top and the bottom.

    Personal Protective Equipment

    • In the workplace, OSHA requires personal protective equipment. This includes head and eye protection on all jobs where injuries to the head and eyes could occur.

      Wear non-slip boots on high work. This is especially important on a sloping roof to prevent workers from sliding on the sloping surface.

    Safety Harness

    • OSHA requires a full-body roof safety harness when working more than 6 feet from the next lower level. The harness must tie securely to a fall-resistant device attached to secured anchors.

    Brackets, Railings, Gates

    • Roofing brackets anchor to the roof to provide safe footing areas for workers on a slope. Brackets help to prevent workers from sliding off the roof.

      Install safety rail systems around the perimeter of a roof work area. These isolate workers from hazardous fall areas at roof edges or open areas. Safety gates should protect workers from ladder access areas and roof hatches. Some gates close automatically after a worker passes through. Others require a bar and chain to secure after closing.

    Weather Conditions

    • Roof work on high areas must stop when weather creates hazardous conditions such as strong winds, slick or wet roof surfaces, and lightning.

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