Most of us don’t stop and think about it, but there are many treacherous elements involved in roofing. One of the most obvious is the danger of toppling from a roof and plunging many feet to the ground. Other issues of this job include electrocution, dealing with asphalt, inhaling fumes, laboring in intense heat and sustaining burns. If the worst does happen, workers’ compensation can be valuable to you and your family.
Roofers have to hoist things that weigh a lot, utilize power tools and contend with dust. The roof itself might be in poor condition, with places where someone could easily trip or lose their balance. As roofers know, the slightest misstep can be disastrous. Add occasional slippery conditions to the mix and you can imagine how tricky this work really is, even for experienced roofers.
Data highlight the dangers of roofing
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, deaths among roofers rose by 15% in just one year, from 2018 to 2019. In the same article from the technical journal of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, roofing is referred to as “one of the most dangerous professions.”
What can roofers do to protect themselves?
Precautions such as these can be taken that decrease the possibility of injuries:
- The storage and work spaces at a construction site should be neat, with items set up so nothing gets blown around on brisk days.
- Plans should be made in advance of the start of a job about precisely how the work will be accomplished.
- Employees and managers must familiarize themselves with safety practices.
Given the nature of roofing and how dangerous it is, you’ll want to regularly take advantage of every protective technique and piece of gear available. A workers’ compensation claim might be a route for you to contemplate if you do have a work-related injury.
