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Staying safe

  • If workers are replacing roof deck materials or working around holes or openings, protect workers with personal fall-arrest systems.
  • Don't substitute caution tape for a properly flagged and configured warning-line system for fall protection on low-slope roof systems.
  • For steep-slope roofs (those with slopes greater than 4-in-12 [33 percent]), workers need to be protected with personal fall-arrest systems.
  • At heights greater than 10 feet, don't neglect to provide fall protection for workers on scaffolds, including ladder jacks (shown in photo), pump-jack scaffolds, or tube and coupler scaffolds. In addition, make sure ladders extend 3 feet over the eave and are tied-off.
  • Don't hoist propane cylinders by the collar or valve-always use a storage or transport cart that can be hoisted safely without damaging tanks.
  • Don't send the wrong class of fire extinguisher or an insufficiently charged unit to a job site. Make certain fire extinguishers are readily accessible.
  • Always conduct a leak test with soapy water on tank connections, valves, and hose and torch head connections to make certain no propane is leaking, which can result in a fire.
  • Set up guardrails at all material-handling areas for hoisting operations and debris disposal.
  • Remove from service all natural or synthetic ropes and slings that are excessively worn or rotted or have broken or cut fibers.
  • Booms of personnel lifts (shown here); forklifts; and cranes, conveyors, hot pipes, ladders and scaffolds should be kept a minimum of 10 feet away from energized power lines. Remember, most power lines only have a weatherproof covering that does not resist electrical current being transmitted to objects that may contact the lines.

Many hazards that are present during roofing work seem pretty obvious. However, the practical reality is that solutions for eliminating or reducing those hazards may be neglected on occasion for a variety of reasons. The following collection of photos illustrates the benefits of proper application of health and safety regulations and best practices and the potential danger and harm that may result from disregarding those regulations and practices.


If workers are replacing roof deck materials or working around holes or openings, protect workers with personal fall-arrest systems.





For steep-slope roofs (those with slopes greater than 4-in-12 [33 percent]), workers need to be protected with personal fall-arrest systems.



Don't substitute caution tape for a properly flagged and configured warning-line system for fall protection on low-slope roof systems.



At heights greater than 10 feet, don't neglect to provide fall protection for workers on scaffolds, including ladder jacks (shown in photo), pump-jack scaffolds, or tube and coupler scaffolds. In addition, make sure ladders extend 3 feet over the eave and are tied-off.




Don't hoist propane cylinders by the collar or valve-always use a storage or transport cart that can be hoisted safely without damaging tanks.




Always conduct a leak test with soapy water on tank connections, valves, and hose and torch head connections to make certain no propane is leaking, which can result in a fire.





Remove from service all natural or synthetic ropes and slings that are excessively worn or rotted or have broken or cut fibers.




Don't send the wrong class of fire extinguisher or an insufficiently charged unit to a job site. Make certain fire extinguishers are readily accessible.




Set up guardrails at all material-handling areas for hoisting operations and debris disposal.




Booms of personnel lifts (shown here); forklifts; and cranes, conveyors, hot pipes, ladders and scaffolds should be kept a minimum of 10 feet away from energized power lines. Remember, most power lines only have a weatherproof covering that does not resist electrical current being transmitted to objects that may contact the lines.

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