5 Common Roofing Safety Hazards

Commercial roofers understand the importance of health and safety when it comes to carrying out any roofing projects, large or small. Everyone involved in the project is responsible for health and safety, and they need to constantly be aware of any potential hazards.

With this in mind we’re taking a quick look at 5 of the most common safety hazards that can occur when roofing, to help you both recognise and avoid them.

Adverse Weather

Believe it or not but sometimes bad weather conditions can often be overlooked when carrying out roofing work – leaving people at great risk of potential dangers. High winds are always hazardous when working at great heights, but also heavy rain, snow or ice can affect the roofs surface.

Shingles or other types of surfaces can become very slippery after adverse weather, increasing the risk of falls – especially membranes that should definitely be avoided in particularly wet conditions. Any work should ideally be postponed until conditions have improved.

Improper Equipment Use

The correct safety equipment is always essential when working on a rooftop, however the any benefits will be voided if the equipment isn’t used properly.

There are numerous common mistakes when it come to using safety equipment, such as a poorly anchored railing, the tie off point not being strong enough, and the lanyard being too long.

Edge Awareness

Surprisingly, losing awareness of the roof edges can be a particularly prevalent problem in the roofing industry – and it’s all too easy to suddenly forget where exactly you’re stood.

Even experienced roofers can lose track of their positioning when they’re focused on the work, this can cause them to come close to the edge before they realise, leading to possible falls and fatalities. It’s hugely important to stop work at regular intervals, and think about where you’re stood.

Roofing Holes

Another hazard, which can be just as dangerous as the roof edges, are any holes that have been left open.

If the roof has skylights that have been left without suitable guard protection, or other kinds of holes that haven’t been covered up properly – then this can lead to serious injury or death.

Making sure that adequate fall protection is always in place should be a priority, and by carrying out simple checks, potential deadly disasters can be avoided.  

Inadequate Training

Professional commercial roofers will have always undergone extensive health and safety training before carrying out roofing work.

But unfortunately, it’s all too common for someone to attempt to carry out roofing work without having been properly trained. Not only are they a danger to themselves but they also present a huge hazard to others, and could cause serious injuries.

At NWIR, our professional commercial roofers are fully accredited and trained to the highest standard. And we understand that health and safety always comes first when carrying out any roofing projects.

If you’re in need of any commercial & industrial roofing services and want to make sure the work is carried out in a safe and secure way – then contact us today on 0800 046 1500 or fill out our contact form online.