The 10 Commandments of Metal Roofing Safety

metal roofing safety blog

As a metal roofing installer, it is important to know and follow the 10 Commandments of Metal Roofing Safety. By following these safety commandments, you can create a positive safety culture at your company, keep yourself and your fellow workers safe on the job, and reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

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

Proper Roofing Training

The second commandment of metal roofing safety is to ensure that all workers are properly trained before they begin working with metal roofing. This includes OSHA occupational health and safety courses, training for proper PPE usage, ladder and scaffolding safety and fall protection training, fire prevention and extinguisher usage training, training for working with heavy equipment (such as forklifts, aerial lifts, and cranes), vehicle and driving safety, clean-up procedures, and training for specialized circumstances such as working with unfamiliar materials.

Training your employees extensively from the start will also keep your roofing contractors happy and comfortable in their jobs, so they are less likely to quit.

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Drug Testing Program

The third commandment of metal roofing safety is to set up a drug testing program at your workplace. This will ensure that all professional metal roofing contractors are sober and alert while on the job, reducing the risk of fatal accidents and personal injury. This will also protect your roofing company from a lawsuit in the event that a worker is hurt or killed on the job due to drug use.

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Implement Roof Safety Policies

The fourth commandment of metal roofing safety is to implement safety monitoring policies at your workplace. This can include regular inspections, audits, and assessments of the worksite to make sure that all equipment and materials are properly maintained and operating correctly.

If you aren't sure how to write or implement a roof safety policy at your company, OSHA offers a guideline on creating a safety policy.

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Encourage Teamwork

The fifth commandment of metal roofing safety is to encourage teamwork among your roofing crew. This will allow professional roofers to help and support one another, take safety precautions to reduce the risk of mistakes and fatal accidents, and improve efficiency.

Encouraging teamwork will also improve your roofing services overall as your workers enjoy each other's company, look out for each other, and work together to complete a flawless project.

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Identify Possible Dangers

The sixth commandment of metal roofing safety is to identify any possible dangers in the workplace. This includes looking out for common rooftop safety hazards such as loose or broken equipment,  power lines, sharp edges, hazardous materials, slippery surfaces, and other potential risks.

When your roofing team is always looking out for potential roofing hazards, they are more likely to spot potential risks and take safety measures that they learned in their training to de-escalate the situation. 

Read more: Safety Tips for Walking on a Metal Roof

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Encourage Safety Discussions

The seventh commandment of metal roofing safety is to encourage safety discussions among professional roofers. This will help ensure that everyone understands the proper safety protocols, is aware of any potential risks, and feels comfortable speaking up if they have any safety concerns.

This is the best way to keep safety practices fresh in the minds of your roofing crew at all times. By encouraging discussions about safety, you can remind your team that it is one of the most important aspects of metal roof construction.

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Follow Guidelines Strictly

The eighth commandment of metal roofing safety is to follow all guidelines strictly. This includes following proper safety protocols, paying attention to warning signs, and obeying all laws and regulations during metal roof construction projects.

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Set a Positive Example

The ninth commandment of metal roofing safety is to set a positive example for your fellow workers. This means leading by example and being a role model for your roofing crew in terms of safety measures and safety practices.

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Use the Right Equipment

The tenth commandment of metal roofing safety is to always use the right tools, roofing materials, and protection equipment for the job. This includes using appropriate ladders, scaffolding, and other necessary tools and materials.

By following these 10 Commandments of Metal Roofing Safety, you can help create a positive safety culture at your company and ensure that all workers are safe on the job. In addition, by setting up a training program and drug testing policies, you can further reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

Contact Us today to learn more about our standing seam metal roofing tools and supplies.