Safety On A Slanted Roof

6 essential safety tips written by doityourself staff.

Safety on a slanted roof.

Edge awareness losing the edge of the roof can be a problem when you are engaged in roof work. Before you even think about laying down your first shingle review your roof safety rules first. Safety is always a priority for a contractor especially on the roof. Without fall protection an open hole on a roof can be just as deadly as the roof edge and according to osha 1910 23 a 4 requires a skylight screen or railing on all exposed sides.

Both can be damaged easily and loose pieces can cause falls. Stepping from the ladder to the roof or from the roof to the ladder is precarious and can be unnerving. It comes as a set that includes a rope roof anchor harness and lanyard for adjusting the tension of the rope. That will keep it from sliding sideways as you step onto the roof.

Some roofs are too steep for the average person to walk on comfortably and it is best to leave steep slope roofs to the professional. Gaf has partnered with the national roofing contractors association nrca and western states roofing contractors association wsrca to develop a resource for roofing contractors. The same is true of tile and slate roofs. A roofing harness provides the extra security you need when working on such a roof.

Even the simplest job can incur hazards and safety risks when you re working at such a height even if your house is only one story.