Essentials

Falls cause the largest number of fatalities—about 28 percent—in the construction industry per year. There always are a number of factors involved with falls, including unstable work surfaces and human error. Roofing workers have the fifth-highest work-related death rate in construction with an average of 30 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. This is about twice the average for all other construction trades.

Studies have shown the use of guardrails, fall-arrest systems and other fall-protection systems can prevent deaths and injuries, but many roofing contractors and workers still are misinformed about falls. Following are several myths and facts about falls. All statistics are according to data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Myth: Roofing workers on residential (steep-slope) projects don't get hurt often.

Fact: Roof edge falls account for half of all roofing-related fall deaths. For residential roofing workers, roof edge falls account for 70 percent of work-related fall deaths. In addition, residential roofing workers have about twice the percentage of fatal falls from ladders compared with all roofing workers.

For example, a roofing worker was working alone on a steep-slope roof system finishing tear-off work. He backed up, fell about 25 feet (8 m) off the roof's edge onto a wood deck and died. The worker had not used any fall protection. Although the employer indicated training programs were in place at the company, they were informal procedures, such as brief meetings at the start of new jobs.

Myth: A roofing worker must fall a long distance to be killed.

Fact: Half of construction falls resulting in death are from a height of 21 feet (6 m) or less.

For example, a journeyman died from severe head injuries sustained after falling 16 1/4 feet (5 m) from a residential roof. The victim was working alone on a roof section that needed shingle tabs realigned when he fell from the roof's edge to a concrete patio deck. The victim did not use any fall-protection devices or systems.

Myth: Older, more experienced roofing workers don't fall.

Fact: The average age of residential construction workers who have fallen to their deaths is 47. Most falls from ladders were among residential construction workers older than 44.

Myth: Residential roofing contractors don't need safety programs.

Fact: Many falls can be avoided if residential roofing contractors have written safety programs and provide safety training to employees. NRCA, insurance agents or insurance carriers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other sources can help contractors set up safety programs. In addition to safety and toolbox talks at job sites, a residential roofing contractor can use safety videos and workbooks for in-house classroom employee training.

Myth: Working safely is expensive.

Fact: An OSHA study estimated good safety and health programs can save $4 to $6 for every $1 invested. These savings result from decreased employee injuries and illnesses, lower workers' compensation costs, decreased medical costs, reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, higher productivity and increased morale.

In addition, equipment such as ladder stabilizers, guardrail holders and fall-protection kits are relatively inexpensive. Investing in these equipment types is just as important as a roofing contractor's investment in quality tools.

OSHA has developed a free computer program to help roofing contractors determine how much accidents cost their companies. Visit www.osha.gov/Region7/fallprotection/ for more information.

Strict adherence to OSHA regulations can save lives. Most construction-related fatalities could have been prevented if appropriate safety measures had been in place. With good safety training and the proper safety equipment, a roofing contractor also can save money on his insurance premiums.

Leslie Kazmierowski is NRCA's insurance programs manager.