Stay Safe on Your Next Roofing Job

Roofing can be a dangerous job…even deadly if taken lightly. According to the 2013 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 734 contractors died on the job and nearly 39 percent of them were roofers. These types of deaths are largely preventable if contractors put safety first everyday. By following stringent safety standards, contractors not only distinguish themselves as professionals rather than average installers, but prevent accidents that can limit productivity and lower employee morale. Plus, a safer company is more profitable. Here are 10 ways to be safe on your next roofing job:

Tailor safety to the project. Safety practices should be covered daily with specific information for each project.

Discourage unsafe work practices.  Stop them as soon as you see them.

Lead by example. Work as safely as possible so others will follow your lead.

Keep a clean and organized site. This will offer fewer hazards and allow the site to be more productive.

Identify and avoid site danger areas.  Dangerous power lines, unsafe roof access areas and underground hazards such as cesspools and power lines should be avoided.

Inspect ladders before use. Make sure the rungs are not broken or cracked and clean off any oils, tars, or dirt. The ladder must be tied off.

Do not leave ladders unattended. Take them off the job site every day or lock them on the ground overnight.

Climb ladders safely. Always face the ladder and use both hands when possible.  Don’t slide down a ladder or overload them.

Be wary of electrical wiring. Electricity can “jump” from a wire to a ladder several feet away. Keep your distance from electrical wiring or boxes and remember that metal flashing, drip edge, etc., should never touch electrical wires.

Use tools properly. Wear eye protection when using hammers and nail guns. This will help protect you if an object such as a nail comes flying out.  Always cut away from your body when using a utility knife and replace dull blades frequently.

By following best safety practices on all your roofing jobs you can make sure accidents are few and far between.

5 Tips to Stay on Schedule During a Roofing Project

Installing a roof on a building is a big job with many various and sometimes changing components. Effective coordination and communication between the crew needs to happen, but unfortunately schedules can get derailed in the process. 

Here are some ways you can be better prepared for the unexpected and ensure your company’s project runs on time:

1. Plan around the weather. Use a satellite weather monitoring system to get the forecast in real-time. This will eliminate scheduling conflicts and help to avoid costly delays.
   
2. Make sure your materials are on site. Some products are easily purchased, but others may need to be specially ordered in advance. If the latter is the case, you will need extra time to ensure everything has been delivered in time to begin your project.
   
3. Designate a foreman/manager/site supervisor. This person will direct and supervise the roofing process, plan the work to be done for the days ahead, make sure the installation is done to standard, and secure materials, equipment, manpower, and subcontractors (if needed) to keep the project moving smoothly. Preferably, this person will not be installing, but rather spends his/her time supervising and coordinating.
   
4. Use scheduling software. Every project should have a plan and schedule set in place before ground breaking day. It should be allotted into manageable phases with completion targets clearly determined. The schedule should be updated daily and distributed to all parties involved in the project. Making your trades and employees aware of the timelines will make meeting deadlines a breeze.
   
5. Get a dedicated delivery vehicle. To prevent unforeseen shortages, breakdowns, or to replace broken tools, have a vehicle and dedicated "runner" available to handle these problems as they arise. You want the foreman and contractors to be on the roof working and coordinating, not dealing with equipment or material errors.

All of these steps will help ensure that your roof is completed on schedule. And remember: preventing problems takes planning!