DaVinci has been the leader in composite roofing for nearly two decades. You won't find a more realistic or better-performing roofing product anywhere.
Get the look you’ve always dreamed of … DaVinci was made for your home. We want to help you be absolutely sure that your DaVinci roof is exactly what you envisioned.
From education programs to installations details, we specialize in supporting you in creating projects that make you look good.
Experienced DaVinci representatives are available to assist with product or color selection, finding a contractor or project timing … we're here to help.
Blog
Originally posted in Roofing Contractor
During the winter months, there are few workplaces more dangerous than the roof of a house. Those ill-prepared for the challenges of winter roofing projects risk both injury and death. Here are six things to keep in mind when roofing during the winter:
Hypothermia occurs when a person’s core body temperature falls below the level required to keep the critical organs functioning. The two factors that promote hypothermia are low temperatures and moisture. Human perspiration in combination with winter cold conspire to conduct body heat away from a worker’s body when working on roofs.
The signs that a person has hypothermia include sudden drowsiness, shallow breathing and clumsiness. If you or anyone on your crew thinks someone has hypothermia, call immediately for emergency help, remove any wet clothing and get the individual to a heated area as quickly as possible. If a heated area isn’t close, cover the person with a dry blanket (wool or emergency Mylar blankets are the best).
When doing roof work in the winter, donning three layers of clothing is the best way to help a person’s body combat the dangers of hypothermia:
Also, be sure to always bring a change of clothes and a Mylar or wool blanket in the work truck, just in case you or someone on your crew catches hypothermia.
When your skin is not properly protected from the wind and freezing temperatures, frostbite can occur. The areas of the body most susceptible to frostbite for roofers are the ears, nose, fingers and toes. You will know when you have contracted frostbite because the affected part of your body will suddenly lose feeling and ultimately turn white, yellow, and, eventually, blue or black.
If you or a member of your crew gets frostbite, immediately raise the temperature of the body extremity in tepid water and call for emergency help.
Every roof job requires a protection plan. Use temporary rooftop guardrails to protect your crew from falls. Be aware, however, that fall-in-place accidents are more common, and typically happen when workers change direction or change a method of access (from a ladder onto a roof, for example).
Be sure to check your work ladder for ice. Sometimes a roofer will slip on an icy ladder rung and injure themselves before they even make it to the roof.
Also, when using a ladder, always employ the “three-point rule.” This rule simply states that a roofer should have at least three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot are both acceptable configurations when using a ladder in winter.
Don’t forget to consider work-related travel hazards. Providing roofers with a defensive driving course is always a good idea. You will get an insurance break, and will know with confidence that your crew will be trained in winter driving techniques. If at all possible, don’t do roof work in temperatures below 40 degrees. This will help to avoid material failure, wasted labor and potential injury.
Always use a trained crew for removing ice and snow before your team accesses the roof. If the people repairing the roof also do the snow and ice removal, they may overlook their own safety and focus on completing the repairs.
When it comes to removing ice from the roof, de-ice with salt. Be positively certain all snow is also removed, since stepping on snow, even on a flat roof, can rapidly make a worker lose their center of gravity and slide.
Another snow danger is its capacity to conceal roof parts from your work team. For example, even a light snow drift can hide a skylight or other roof opening, which can result in a worker falling through and damaging both themselves and the roof.
Roofers need a rehydration plan, yet few incorporate one into their daily routine. Some of the key elements of this plan will be the following:
Staying safe on rooftops at any time of the year should always be a top priority. In winter, however, its importance becomes much more critical. Follow these tips, and you’ll cut your risk considerably.
Tell us about your new masterpiece and your DaVinci Experience.
Learn How