The 10 Commandments of Metal Roofing Safety
As a professional metal roofing installer, safety isn’t optional; it’s essential. Following these ten commandments of metal roofing safety can help you foster a strong safety culture, comply with evolving OSHA standards, and keep your crew protected in today’s more complex work environments.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The first commandment of metal roofing safety is to always wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on the job. This includes hard hats, protective eyewear, hearing protection, dust masks, gloves, and any other necessary PPE depending on your specific workplace conditions.
Make sure that your roofing company has a solid supply of PPE to provide for your roofing contractors when they are out on a job.
1
Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The first commandment remains: don your gear. This includes hard hats, protective eyewear, gloves, hearing protection, and non-slip roofing boots. With new OSHA updates, PPE must now meet revised standards for extreme heat and silica exposure, especially when cutting metal or working in direct sunlight.
Advanced PPE options now include:
- Smart hard hats with communication systems
- Wearable safety monitors that track heart rate, heat stress, and impact
- UV-resistant clothing designed for roof work
Ensure your crew is fully stocked and regularly inspected for compliant, functioning PPE.
2
Provide Proper Roofing Training
No one should step onto a roof without training. OSHA’s current regulations (including 1926.501 on fall protection and Respirable Crystalline Silica standards) demand proper education on:
- PPE usage
- Ladder and scaffold safety
- Aerial lift and crane operations
- Heat illness prevention
- Fire safety and extinguisher use
- Emergency response and digital incident reporting
Comprehensive training programs build confidence and reduce costly mistakes. Bonus: Trained employees are more likely to stay on the job.
3
Establish a Drug and Wellness Program
A clear drug testing program remains essential for preventing avoidable accidents. But in 2025, safety also includes mental health awareness.
Installers face long hours, high-risk conditions, and extreme environments. Consider programs that promote:
- Mental wellness check-ins
- Access to counseling or digital mental health apps
- A culture that encourages workers to speak up when overwhelmed
Stress affects attention, coordination, and decision-making. Protect your team with both physical and psychological safety nets.
4
Implement and Update Roof Safety Policies
Your safety policies should reflect today’s risks. That means:
- Adopting OSHA’s latest guidance on fall protection, heat illness prevention, and silica exposure
- Conducting regular digital audits and drone inspections for hazard identification
- Utilizing mobile safety apps for real-time incident reporting and compliance tracking
- Installing GPS tracking to monitor team location and safety status in real time
Keep policies current and accessible, then audit regularly to make sure they’re being followed.
5
Encourage Teamwork and Accountability
Strong teams work smarter and safer. Encourage:
- Buddy systems for roof jobs
- Joint safety checks
- Open dialogue across roles
Workers who trust each other are more likely to speak up, step in, or stop a job when something doesn’t look right. It’s not just camaraderie, it’s a safety strategy.
Read more: Safety Tips for Walking on a Metal Roof
6
Identify Hazards Proactively
Modern roofing crews face more than slippery slopes. Train your team to assess:
- Power line proximity
- Unstable structures or sheeting
- New materials that may release hazardous dust
- Weather instability (see Commandment 9)
- Digital reports from drone inspections or smart sensors
The more eyes you have on the risks, human or tech, the better your crew’s chances of preventing injury.
7
Make Safety Conversations Routine
Safety discussions shouldn’t just happen after an incident. Build them into:
- Daily huddles
- Weekly toolbox talks
- Digital safety dashboards
Use mobile tools that allow workers to report near misses anonymously or submit safety ideas. Keeping safety top-of-mind makes it second nature.
8
Follow All Safety Guidelines and Regulations
Whether it’s OSHA 1926.501, heat illness protocols, or state-level roofing regulations, they’re not suggestions; they’re the law. Keep up with revisions by:
- Attending safety certification refreshers
- Subscribing to industry safety alerts
- Integrating guidelines into your digital workflow tools
Strict compliance protects your crew and your business.
9
Prepare for Extreme Weather and Climate Risks
Roofing work today means dealing with hotter summers, colder winters, and sudden storms. Your safety plan must address:
- Heat safety: hydration protocols, shade breaks, wearable heat monitors
- Cold exposure: layering guidance, insulated grip gloves
- Weather alerts: real-time apps and jobsite shut-down plans
- Post-storm inspections using drone tech or telescopic cameras
Climate risks are no longer seasonal; they’re constant. Prepare accordingly.
10
Be Ready for Emergencies and Use the Right Equipment
Your final commandment? Be ready.
That means:
- Stocked and accessible first aid kits
- Emergency action plans that include GPS tagging and mobile alerting
- Post-incident reviews that identify what went wrong and how to fix it
- Using the right tools for the job, including OSHA-compliant ladders, scaffold systems, and fall protection anchors
Digital emergency response systems can streamline everything from 911 calls to post-incident reporting.
Final Thoughts
Metal roofing safety has evolved, so should your practices. By following these 10 modern commandments, you’re not just keeping workers safe. You’re building a culture of accountability, confidence, and long-term success.
Need high-quality roofing tools and safety equipment you can rely on? Contact AMSI Supply today to get the gear that keeps your crew safe and productive, no matter what the jobsite throws at you.