Preventing Heat Related Illness in Roofers

It’s the unofficial start of summer, causing many of us to daydream about having fun in the sun. But when you’re a contractor, the summer brings with it heat and humidity—and that’s no picnic. An excessively hot or humid work environment is not only an interference that can lead to fatigue and poor judgment and decision making, but it can be downright dangerous. Therefore, having a comprehensive heat-stress program is paramount.

Sufficient rest and proper hydration are key elements to any heat-stress program. Additionally, employees should avoid performing excessive outdoor physical activity prior to coming to work so as to avoid showing up at the job site in an already overheated and exhausted state. Despite warm weather, heat-related illnesses (heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat stroke) can be reduced by implementing effective programs.

Most importantly, employees should constantly monitor themselves and their co-workers for signs and symptoms of these illnesses, as immediate intervention is necessary when they’re observed. Here are the signs and symptoms of heat stress:

• Excessive sweating 
• Red, flushed skin 
• General body weakness 
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded 
• Nausea/vomiting 
• Headache 
• Muscle cramps in the hands and feet 
• Dark-colored urine 

To help avoid heat-related problems, make sure you have these countermeasures ready:

• Allow for breaks in air-conditioned areas. If AC is not available, find shade, cooler areas, and/or fans. 
• Drink plenty of decaffeinated drinks. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are preferred, as they will replenish lost electrolytes. Drink up to 10 8-oz. cups of water in an 8-hour shift. Be careful not to overhydrate. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Thirst is a poor indicator of heat stress. Wet your hair, neck, and face as frequently as possible with water or a spray bottle. 
• To help prevent work-related heat illnesses from occurring, pay attention to the weather predictions. If excessive heat and humidity are in the forecast, ensure that countermeasures have been developed and are ready to be implemented.
• Allow new employees assigned to high-heat areas time to acclimate to the elevated temperatures and humidity.
• Finally, do not drink alcohol prior to coming to work and avoid caffeinated drinks in high-heat situations. Caffeine is a diuretic and actually causes people to lose water! 

By recognizing heat-stress signs and symptoms at their onset and following the above simple guidelines, you can help ensure that your employees will be safe on the job and minimize heat-related illnesses this summer season.

Protect Your Business Online

As we discussed in a previous blog, having a digital and social media presence is a great way to grow your business, but once your company is active online you need to keep an eye on your brand.

Everything that is put out in the digital world is viral and can be tracked, so it’s important to be aware that what you say about yourself and your competitors can either help or potentially hurt your company. One misstep and your company reputation could be on the line (all it takes is one click to share your misfortune to others). Also, you want to be aware of what others are saying about your business online. Here are some tips to make sure you put your best face forward to your customers and followers.


Have a plan. If you open a Facebook or Twitter account, you will need to determine your goals and how you will use social media to promote your business. Do you want to share information, talk with customers, and promote a product or service? Once you figure that out, stick to it and determine how often you want to communicate via social media (once a week, three times a week, every day?). Ideally, you will want to maintain a steady stream of communication to build your customer following and keep them retained and engaged in your company. Plus, it’s not all about promoting your service.

Engage in social conversation and post information beyond work, so it’s less corporate sounding and more human. It is also not recommended to open up accounts online, post a couple times, and then abandon it.

Designate one person to interact. Too many people responding via social media can get confusing. Determine one person at your company who will monitor and respond to questions or engage in conversations.

Make sure you use one unified voice that best represents your company. Get a policy. Speak with your lawyer and create a social media policy that guides employee use of social media.

Don’t air dirty laundry. Don’t get into a social fight. If someone is complaining about your service, take it offline or respond appropriately by immediately offering to help in a non-threatening way.

Be responsive. The digital world is all about getting answers quickly, so it’s important to be timely with your responses. They will remember the customer experience and may even share it with their friends. You will want to make sure to set up social media notifications so even if you are out in the field, you will instantly know when a customer posted, messaged, commented, or liked you on social media. You can also set up Google news alerts so you’ll know whenever your company is mentioned online.

By embracing the online and social landscape, you can help grow and promote your business and be readily available to respond to your customers.

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.