Safety is of utmost importance to us here at Roof One. Whether its us working on the roof, or you, we want to make sure no one suffers a roofing related injury. Here’s some safety tips for roofing Livonia, MI to keep in mind the next time you climb up on a ladder to check out your roof:
Roofing projects don’t offer as much glamour as other home improvement projects, but it’s important to maintain from time to time. Homeowners may choose to complete small repairs, such as cracked flashing or a missing shingle themselves. These are easy projects to do but require some skill.
Before you get on the roof for that small fix, you should be aware of the safety risks associated with roof projects. Even if you have a one-story home, there’s still plenty that could go wrong that could harm you or damage your home. Here are a few roof safety basics to know before you get started on your next repair.
Ladder Safety
In order to repair your roof, you have to find a way to the source. Ladders are the obvious choice in most cases. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury nationwide. In fact, 43% of fatal falls involve a ladder for those on the job. This is important for homeowners to be aware of as they DIY. Ladder safety should be taken very seriously. Here are a few ladder safety tips to keep in mind:
- Always be sure your ladder is on level ground.
- Use a properly sized ladder to reach your roof safely; a ladder that’s too short is dangerous.
- A roof ladder hook will ensure that your ladder is secure.
- Follow the 4-to-1 ladder rule.
- Keep three points of contact with the ladder at all times.
Working on A Roof Safely
When you’re working on the roof, there are a myriad of factors that impact safety. One of them is weather conditions. Never work on a roof if there is a storm coming in. Lightning is an obvious hazard, but a serious one. It’s unpredictable, but those working on a roof are at a higher risk. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, lighting can strike 10 miles away from any rainfall area. Part of the danger for those working on a roof is that they get back to work too soon. The NOAA recommends staying indoors at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed.
