A commercial roofer installs, repairs, and replaces roofing materials on buildings. They typically work on industrial, retail, and office structures and may work on high-rise buildings as well.
Unlike residential roofing, commercial roofs need to stand up to heavy materials that stay at the top of the structure. They also need to be strong enough to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Commercial roofers must take the necessary safety measures to ensure that they do not get injured while performing repairs or inspections. They must also be aware of the risks that come with working on a commercial roof, including falling from heights and chemical exposure.
Roofing is a high-risk job, and accidents can happen at any time of the day or night. It is important for commercial roofers to know the necessary safety measures that they must take when working on a roof and to follow them while they are on the job.
First and foremost, commercial roofers must have the right equipment to work on the roof safely. This includes a safety harness, which provides a high level of protection from falls and other injuries. These harnesses connect to a lanyard that connects to a solid structure or anchorage on the roof.
It is also crucial for roofers to wear proper safety footwear, such as boots with good traction. These shoes prevent slips and fall injuries by reducing the risk of slipping on rough or uneven surfaces.
Roofers should also use a hard hat to protect their heads from potential head injuries. These hardhats must have shock, penetration, and water-resistant qualities as well as protection from electrical hazards.
Additionally, they should wear knee and leg guards that are made to protect their legs from sharp objects, abrasions, slippery floors, and hot surfaces. They should also wear safety gloves that can protect their hands from cuts and scrapes.
In addition to safety gear, commercial roofers must be careful while on the roof, as falling from a roof is a common cause of fatalities in the construction industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that falls from a roof account for 34% of all fall deaths in the industry.
When working on a commercial roof, it is essential for roofers to be familiar with OSHA regulations. This will help them avoid injury and keep the building and its staff safe.
Workers should start their day by completing a toolbox talk to discuss any possible roof hazards that may arise from the current weather conditions, equipment, or construction materials. This will help them determine whether or not they should begin work on the roof that day.
It’s important for roofing contractors to take liability measures when working on a commercial roof. These measures can help prevent accidents from occurring and ensure that they’re not liable for any injuries that occur as a result of their work.
The first liability measure that a contractor should take is to purchase and carry liability insurance for the company. This insurance protects the business from claims of third-party bodily injury or property damage, which could cost the company a lot of money in medical bills and court costs.
Another important liability measure that a roofer should take is to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. This type of coverage is required in almost all states, and it helps cover the cost of employee injuries that happen while they’re on a job site.
A good way to save on workers’ comp is to get it bundled with general liability. The combination of these policies is called a business owner’s policy (BOP).
BOPs usually include two basic types of insurance: commercial liability and business interruption or loss of income. These policies typically cover lost income if your business must close down for an extended period of time because of damage to your office, storage space, or other commercial property.
