10 Safety Tips for Roofers

Safety First.  It's a theme we often hear in manufacturing operations and on job sites. And, it's a motto that roofers should also adopt.

How can roofers help keep themselves safe? Here are some tips from the experts at DaVinci Roofscapes:

Shake roofTip #1Wear the right clothing and shoes. Make sure your clothing is comfortable and "moves with you" easily, but also that it's sensible. Wear closed-toes shoes or soft-soled work boots that can gain a firm grip on the roof surface. And, use leather work gloves to protect your hands.

Tip #2 – Use eye protection.  Whether you're using a pneumatic nailer on the roof or pounding in nails one at a time, it's always smart to wear safety glasses.

Tip #3 Use safety ties. Whenever you're on the roof, safety ropes should be used and a safety harnesses to assure a slip on a pitched roof doesn't result in you falling off that roof.

Tip #4 Take time to secure your ladder. Make certain your ladder is on a solid, level surface. Some roofers like to weight the base of the ladder down with sand bags to keep them in place.

Tip #5Use a magnetic nail sweeper regularly during the installation on both the roof and on the ground. Picking up and safely discarding loose nails can prevent a foot injury for both yourself and the homeowners.

Tip #6 Keep the work area organized and clean as you go. This will help prevent slipping on trash, extra tiles and nails.

Tip #7 Never work on a roof in wet conditions. A slippery roof can cause problems for any roofer and isn't worth the risk of a fall.

Tip #8When using a utility knife, always cut away from you. Retract the blade when not in use and replace blades frequently. Safely discard old blades.

Tip #9 – Take extra care when carrying bundles up the ladder to the roof. Make your legs do the work, not your back. Taking several trips up the ladder with smaller bundles is safer than trying to carry too much at one time.

Tip #10 When working on steeply pitched roofs, add netting and guardrails for extra safety support. You may even consider adding scaffolding for some projects.

For more safety tips, see Cold Weather Installation of DaVinci Roofing Materials and Tips for Cold Weather Installation.