Work environment safety and ergonomics for roofers

A roofer who has just completed his apprenticeship can look forward to many years in the trade — if the body and safety keep up. And it is not a given. Roofing involves working at height, heavy lifting, kneeling work and the use of heat and open flame. Add wind, weather and sun and you have a trade where it pays to think about safety and body from day one.

Fall from height is one of the most serious risks in construction, and as a roofer you work there all the time. Therefore access to the roof, railings, scaffold, and fall protection are not taken lightly. A safe roof to work on is a prerequisite, not a luxury.

• 01Ensure safe access to the roof — scaffolding, lift or approved ladder
• 02Use railings or other edge protection where there is a fall risk
• 03Use a fall arrest harness where handrails are not possible
• 04Keep the roof surface clear so you don't stumble over materials and hoses
• 05Stop work in strong wind, slippery footing or poor light

When you weld roofing paper or work with burners you work with open flame on top of a flammable substrate. A spark can smolder for hours before breaking out in fire. So fixed procedures come with hot work: fire-fighting material at hand a plan for what should happen and a subsequent check of the area.

The fixed habits for hot work

• 01Always have approved extinguishing material within reach
• 02Remove or cover flammable material near the work site
• 03Keep an eye on the area after work — embers can smolder for a long time
• 04Make sure that you have the required certificate and follow the agreement form

Roofing places particular strain on knees, back, and shoulders. You often work on your knees, carry heavy rolls and materials up onto the roof, and bend forward for long periods. You can't avoid it all, but you can do a lot to distribute the load.

• 01Use knee pads or knee protection when working on roof surfaces
• 02Lift with your legs, not with your back — and use a hoist or lift for heavy materials
• 03Vary your tasks so you do not do the same thing for hours
• 04Take breaks and change position before your body complains
• 05Carry materials close to the body rather than with arms outstretched

You work outdoors in all kinds of weather. Sun, wind and cold wear on the skin, and the sun on a light roof can be strong. Use work clothes that suit the weather, protect your skin from the sun and drink enough in the heat. In older buildings you may also encounter asbestos in old roofing materials — if you are in doubt, stop and ask before you break anything open.

Work environment is not just about any one day but about the sum of all your working days. The roofers who stay in the trade longest are rarely the strongest — they are the ones who early made safety and ergonomics a habit. Use your equipment take breaks and speak up when something is not responsible.

“You must not choose between being efficient and taking care of yourself. In the long run, they're the same thing.”