Working Safely in Residential and Commercial Roofing

Whether you’re a homeowner tackling a DIY roof repair or a professional roofer working on a commercial building, fall protection is essential for preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of everyone on the work site. Roof work, by nature, involves working at heights, and all roofers, experienced and rookies alike, face the same fall hazards. This makes fall protection not just a legal requirement, but also a critical component of every roofing job. 

Work-related fatalities due to falls, slips and trips increased 1.8 percent in 2022, resulting in 865 fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of those fatalities (80.9 percent), were due to falls to lower levels. 

In this article, we’ll explore ladder setup for roof access. We’ll also examine the fall protection systems that are available for residential and commercial roofing, and how to implement them safely and effectively. For those working at elevations, ongoing education and consistent safety practices are the most important factors for improving safety and saving lives.

Ladder Setup

Both straight and extension ladders used for roof access must be set up on level ground. If the worksite conditions do not allow for this, a ladder leveler, an accessory installed on the bottom of the ladder and adjusted to level the ladder feet, should be used. If the ground is not level, using a ladder leveler prevents using debris, rocks, backfilling or other undesirable leveling methods.

The ladder incline angle is a critical factor in ensuring ladder security. An incorrect angle can cause the base of the ladder to slip and is a major cause of falls. The ladder should be set up at a 75-1/2 degree angle, the optimal angle to provide the most security for climbing a ladder.

To ensure the ladder is at the correct angle, place your toes against the bottom of the ladder side rails, standing straight and extend your arms out. The palms of your hands should touch the top of the rung at shoulder level. There are even apps that can be placed against the ladder to indicate the exact angle.

One of the most common mistakes when accessing a roof is to not extend the ladder three feet higher than the edge of the roof. This is one of the most-cited OSHA violations. Extending the ladder beyond the edge of the roof provides the most security for workers during the critical moments of getting on and off the ladder. It also provides a stable platform to step onto, and off of, preventing overreaching and loss of balance, while giving workers a secure handhold as they transition from the ladder to the roof.

Fall Protection Systems

Upon reaching the roof, fall protection systems are designed to either prevent falls or mitigate the consequences of a fall. The appropriate system for each roofing job depends on the nature of the work, the roof’s configuration, and the height involved. The most common types of fall protection used in residential and commercial roofing is a “roofers kit” that is used for travel restraint and fall arrest.

The roofers kit dual-role, travel restraint and fall arrest system, is one of the most common forms of fall protection. It consists of a harness, energy-absorbing lanyard, rope adjuster, lifeline and anchorage connector. Here’s how each component works:

Harness: The worker wears a full-body harness that is securely attached to the system. The harness contains and restrains the worker in travel restraint applications and distributes the force of a fall over the body in fall arrest applications.

Energy-absorbing lanyard: This is a webbing tether that is connected between the harness and rope adjuster on the lifeline. It is designed to absorb the energy from a fall, reducing the force on the person to acceptable levels. 

Rope adjuster: This component is adjusted as needed along the length of the lifeline. As the worker nears the edge of the roof, the adjuster can be “parked” and locked on the rope. As different areas of the roof are worked on, the adjuster is moved accordingly. 

Lifeline: A rope anchored to the building on which the rope adjuster travels, the lifeline can be considered an extension of the anchor.

Anchorage connector: This is the component that captures the strength of the roof. Options exist for different roof configurations, with fastening through the sheathing and into the truss being the most common.

A travel restraint system is designed to prevent a worker from reaching the edge of the roof and from falling in the first place. Unlike a fall arrest system that is activated after a fall occurs, a travel restraint system prevents the fall from happening by limiting the worker’s range of movement to the roof surface. This is accomplished by adjusting the rope adjuster on the lifeline to always be short enough to prevent a fall.

Travel restraint systems are ideal for residential roofing projects because they can be easily set up and provide a continuous level of protection while the worker is moving around the roof. 

Implementing Fall Protection

Implementing proper fall protection is not just about using the right equipment—it’s also about establishing a safe work environment and following industry standards. Here are the key steps to ensure fall protection on roofs:

Risk assessment: Before starting any roofing project, assess the risks involved. Identify potential fall hazards, such as steep slopes, fragile roof surfaces, or areas where workers could lose their footing.

Choose the right ladder and fall protection system: Depending on the type of roof, the height, and the specific tasks being performed, choose the appropriate ladder and fall protection system. Ensure that the system you choose is compatible with the roof structure and that all components are in good working condition.

Proper training: Workers must be trained on ladder use, and once on the roof, how to use the fall protection systems correctly. This includes understanding how to set up and secure the ladder. Training should also include instructions on how to wear, adjust and connect the harness, properly adjust and attach lanyards to anchor points and how to inspect the equipment before each use. Fall protection training can be conducted online or in-person at a jobsite. While online training provides greater accessibility, onsite training offers the ability to demonstrate real-world examples by job application and usage scenarios. Most equipment manufacturers, including Werner, offer fall protection safety training in both formats.

Inspect equipment before use: Fall protection equipment must be inspected before each use. Look for signs of damage, wear, or corrosion on harnesses, lanyards, rope adjuster, lifeline and anchor.

Use fall protection for every job: No roofing job is too small to skip fall protection. Even a short stint on a low-pitched roof can lead to a fall if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Ensure compliance with regulations: Adhere to OSHA regulations and company policy. These rules help establish minimum standards for ladder use and fall protection to help ensure worker safety.

Vital Aspects

Roof access and fall protection are vital aspects of residential and commercial roofing, whether you are a professional roofer or a homeowner taking on a DIY project. In high-risk professions like roofing, a commitment to following daily safety protocols is essential. Properly setting up the ladder to access the roof, is imperative for achieving worksite safely. A fall protection system can significantly reduce the risk, ensuring that the work gets done without incident. There are a variety of solutions to meet the specific needs of your roofing project. By choosing the appropriate fall protection, using it correctly, and adhering to safety standards, you can help protect yourself and others from the risk of falls.

Michael N. Cameron, QSSP, technical service – fall protection, and Kevin B. Denis | technical service – fall protection, work at Werner Co., Itasca, Illinois. For more information go to https://www.wernerco.com/us

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