Tag: roofing safety

A Look at Roof Construction Worksite Safety During COVID-19

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Workplace safety has always been an important practice within the construction industry. Successful construction companies must make safety a priority with proper equipment and training to keep construction workers from getting hurt on the job.

Though the issue of occupational safety and health is not new for the construction industry, the pandemic has added a whole new dimension to the work of keeping employees safe. The typical safety protocols are designed to deal with construction hazards and were not designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 (or any other virus or illness on a worksite). 

Federal Safety Efforts

In response to this unique public health crisis, the CDC and the Department of Labor have released updated guidance for the construction industry as they create response plans. The agencies’ recommendations include:

  • Encouraging workers to stay home if they feel sick and screening incoming workers for COVID-19 symptoms at the job site.
  • Promoting social distancing by asking workers to keep at least six feet apart while working.
  • Training workers on new health and safety protocols and distributing personal protective equipment.
  • Providing alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer or soap, and water to workers while on the job and encouraging workers to practice good hygiene. 

OSHA has also made an important change to the rules regarding respirator N95 masks, saying that they are no longer required for certain construction jobs. Cloth face coverings or non-N95 masks are recommended whenever workers are required to be near each other. For companies that do have N95 masks available, the CDC has released updated guidance for sanitizing them for re-use.

State Safety Efforts

In addition to these recommendations, construction companies also need to monitor state-specific regulations regarding COVID-19 safety. Each state has different rules and regulations regarding everything from personal protective equipment to paid time off for sick workers. Companies that fail to comply with state-specific guidelines could face steep fines or wind up with costly worker’s compensation claims in the event of an outbreak.

Looking Ahead

Despite the new precautions, the construction industry has been hit hard by outbreaks. It can be difficult for workers to socially distance on the job, and there is a lack of proper personal protective equipment nationally. In light of these risks, all construction companies should undergo legal reviews to protect themselves from potential lawsuits. 

At Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., we take the health and safety of our workers seriously. If you have questions or concerns about our COVID-19 protocols or our new Maxwell Monitors service offering that we developed amid the pandemic, don’t hesitate to contact us today! Our team is equipped and ready to help!

Rooftop Safety 101

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Roofing can be a dangerous profession without the appropriate safety precautions. Workers are thousands of feet above the ground, and one misstep could severely injure or even threaten one’s life on a job site. Knowing the risk, the best roofing companies understand their responsibility to keep their workers safe by following proper guidelines, such as those outlined by OSHA. You can identify a quality roofing company by how they care for their employees’ well-being. 

To help you identify a safe, qualified roofing contractor, we’ve outlined some rooftop safety basics, with added precautions for COVID-19. 

1. Fall Prevention

In 90 percent of fatal falls, there’s not a proper fall protection plan in place. To stop these preventable accidents and protect from injury and liability lawsuits, roofing companies must stay up to date on OSHA regulations and that facilities take precautions to protect roofers.

OSHA requires the following precautions to prevent falls:

  • Covering holes like skylights or other penetrations using a cover or railing
  • Building guardrails and toe-boards near certain ledges and on lifts
  • Creating warning systems for areas with a fall risk
  • Providing fall restraint systems (like harnesses) when workers are near edges
  • Securing ladders and other equipment used to access a building’s roof

2. Proper Employee Training

No matter how many precautions are in place, a roofing team is only as safe as its least-informed team member. Everyone on a job site should be regularly trained on safety basics—even the most seasoned roofers need refresher training. The team should all have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to keeping themselves and the rest of their team safe from the beginning to the end of a project.

3. Attention to Weather

Even if a change in schedule shifts a roofing project’s timeline, a roofing company should never be willing to send its team to work on a roof in inclement weather. Certain weather conditions can create extremely dangerous work conditions for their teams, causing decreased visibility as well as increased risk of falling and other work-related injuries.

4. Job Hazard Analysis

Companies that value safety will conduct a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to understand how they can best prepare their team for a safe project. This analysis takes into account fall risks, exposure to electricity or chemicals, and several other potentially unsafe items that teams should be aware of.

5. Use of Technology

Roofing technology advances quickly, and it’s up to companies to stay up to date and utilize technology that can increase the safety of their employees. For example, drones can now be used for small-scale roof inspections to keep team members off of the roof altogether, until it’s absolutely necessary.

6. Health Precautions: COVID-19

Safety for construction sites currently includes protecting workers from spreading the coronavirus. Rooftop workers are practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and are asked to stay home if they are feeling ill. To keep their areas sanitized, teams use sanitizing solutions so as not to contaminate an area that another team member will touch.

Roofing companies must carefully follow the general CDC guidelines for construction sites, as well as guidelines by industry-specific organizations, such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), to ensure that they have taken every possible precaution.  

Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to learn how we keep our employees safe while continuing to serve our customers.

Rooftop Safety Compliance 101

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Each year, around 50 roofers will suffer a fatal fall. In the construction industry, falls are responsible for about 40 percent of all work-related deaths. But, despite these sobering statistics, fall protection is the most violated health and safety standard according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

In 90 percent of the fatal falls that occur, there was not a proper fall-protection plan in place. To stop these preventable accidents and protect from injury and liability lawsuits, it’s important that roofing companies stay up to date on OSHA regulations and that facilities take precautions to protect employees who will be working atop a roof.

Fall Protection Basics

Fall Exposure Risks—The first thing an employer should ask at a work site is if their workers are exposed to the risk of falling. OSHA defines fall exposure in the construction industry as any potential fall of more than 6 feet. Generally, fall exposure on rooftops occurs in five different ways:

  • Roof Access—Many falls occur before anyone even reaches the roof on a ladder or on scaffolding.
  • Roof Edge—A roof’s edge provides the most obvious danger for a fall and can send people down multiple stories to the ground.
  • Obstacles and Openings—Many commercial roofs have skylights or vents that workers can mistakenly fall into.
  • Roof Systems—Many commercial roofs will house important equipment like HVAC systems. Because workers often need access to this equipment, the area surrounding rooftop systems presents a high risk of fall exposure.
  • Navigation—Rooftops with tricky obstacles or low visibility can pose a safety risk to workers.

Preventing Falls—OSHA requires that employers provide fall protection systems for their employees. This includes:

  • Covering holes like skylights or other penetrations using a cover or railing
  • Building guardrails and toe-boards near certain ledges and on lifts
  • Creating warning systems for areas with a fall risk
  • Providing fall restraint systems (like harnesses) when workers will be near edges
  • Securing ladders and other equipment used to access a building’s roof

In some cases, OSHA also recommends the use of fall arrest systems, such as safety nets. In commercial roofing, personal fall arrest systems are also common. These systems use harnesses and some sort of shock-absorbing line to prevent workers from falling quickly to the ground.

Innovation In Fall Safety

Roofing is a constantly evolving industry, and new technology is finding its way into fall safety. While physical barriers, fall restraint, and arrest systems are critical for protecting people on a building’s roof, there is new emerging technology that helps make roofing even safer. 

  • Drone Inspections—The best way to prevent a fall is to keep people off the roof entirely. The use of imaging drones for inspections allows roofers to identify problems or create maintenance plans without ever putting themselves near a dangerous ledge.

    • Finding a Roofing Partner that Values Safety

    No matter how safety-conscious a general contractor or facility manager may be, employees will be at risk if roofers don’t also value safety. It’s important that roofing companies work to protect their own workers while on the job and to install safety equipment on the roof to protect other workers in the future. Here are a few things to check for when vetting a roofing company’s safety regulations.

    1. Does the roofer conduct a Job Hazard Analysis?

      The first step in preventing a workplace accident is to conduct a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). This includes a specific protocol for evaluating fall risks and creating a rooftop safety plan.

    2. Does the roofer follow OSHA standards by providing railing systems, roof anchors, and penetrations?

      OSHA lays out specific building requirements for roofs with skylights to prevent people from falling through them. The agency also requires railing systems for ladders and has specific requirements for roof anchors that can support workers in harnesses. A safety-conscious roofing company should be able to provide engineering and installation for each of these safety requirements.

    3. Does the roofer consider HVAC worker safety?

      Once a roof is built, HVAC workers will likely be the most frequent visitors to a building’s rooftop. Roofers who prioritize safety will recommend a guardrail to protect HVAC workers that will be near a roof’s edge.

    4. Does the roofing company provide safety training to its employees?

      All employees who are going to be working on a roof should receive some sort of safety training. Roofing companies that value safety will often participate in certification classes through OSHA. Another company safety program is the Certified Roofing Torch Applicator (CERTA) program, which teaches workers how to use roofing torches. Though not specifically designed to prevent falls, CERTA and other certifications show that a company cares about safety.

    Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. prioritizes safety as our highest concern. To learn more about how we help protect our employees and the importance of maintaining commercial rooftop safety compliance and fall protection, contact us today.

Guidelines for Commercial Rooftop Safety Compliance & Fall Protection

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

As a building owner or property manager, your roof can be one of the most dangerous aspects of your property. In fact, Forbes magazine recently listed roofing as the sixth most dangerous job in America. Fall protection is also the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) top-listed citation annually. It goes without saying that you can’t underestimate the importance of rooftop safety compliance. Having a proactive approach to fall protection is one of the best ways to ensure on-site safety during a new roofing project and prevent injury or liability for your commercial roof.

The Importance of Rooftop Safety Compliance & Fall Protection

The reality is that there will likely be a lot of people to walk on your roof over its lifetime—roofers, HVAC workers, building inspectors, etc. So, how do you go about preventing a major incident?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set new guidelines for the safety measures that are required for commercial roofs. These regulations require that all commercial roofs (new or old) need top-ridge anchors installed that inspectors and contractors can attach safety cords to so they can walk and inspect roofs and perform repairs or replacements of roofing materials.

If you allow people to walk on a roof without these precautions in place, you will be out of compliance with OSHA regulations and subject to fines. You could also face insurance issues for not following regulations.

Maxwell’s Commitment to Rooftop Safety Compliance & Fall Protection

Throughout the lifecycle and maintenance of your roof, those who work on the roof can face many different threats. The Maxwell Roofing team wants to provide customers with the greatest peace-of-mind possible when it comes to rooftop safety compliance and fall protection.

Here are a few specific ways we prioritize rooftop safety on our projects:

1. Conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to Identify Potential Hazards

Before any new roofing project, our team works to conduct a JHA that identifies all the potential hazards for the roofing crew, people inside the building, visitors, and passers-by. This includes specific analysis of fall protection and rooftop safety concerns.

2. Providing Specific Protection Services for Skylights

OSHA considers a rooftop skylight to be a hole in the roof surface. If skylights are in the vicinity of any work area or walking surface, they must be protected with the appropriate fall protection screens or guardrails. Maxwell Roofing works with our customers to address specific skylight issues by putting handrails around it or installing a skylight screen with a wire mesh framework.

3. Equipping Roofs with Hatch Railing Systems and Roof Davits

In order to meet the specific OSHA regulations, we provide engineering and installation services for Hatch Railing Systems and Roof Davits. These railing systems allow individuals to access the roof from a ladder inside the building with a grab bar for a climber, ensuring a safe transition to and from the ladder. Roof Davits (or Roof Anchors) are attached at various points across the roof so that people can hook up to them with a safety harness and conduct their work without falling. For buildings that don’t have walls around the edge of the roof, we recommend at least 4-12 davits laid out strategically across your roof.

4. Protecting HVAC Workers with RTU HVAC Mechanical Unit Railing

For rooftops with HVAC units within six feet of a roof’s edge, it’s wise to have some sort of guardrail between the side of the unit and the edge of the roof. These rail barriers are intended to protect HVAC workers in the event that someone trips, leans back, or loses balance.

When it comes to your roof, safety should be your first priority. If you are concerned about potential safety compliance of fall protection issue, our team at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. is here to help. Contact our team to discuss your specific needs and identify the best approach for your project.

3 Ways to Prioritize School Roofing Safety

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

When it comes to constructing or renovating a school, safety is often the first and greatest priority. Parents want the peace of mind that their children are spending their day in a building that is as safe as possible. The school system and administrators also have a duty to protect the students, educators, and support staff from workplace hazards. However, what isn’t typically top of mind is the roofing system.

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has had the opportunity to work as the roofing contractor for several schools in recent years, including Ensworth School, Currey Ingram Academy, Father Ryan High School, Saint Henry School, and Saint Ann School. And, because June is National Safety Month, we wanted to highlight some specific keys to consider for designing and building a school’s roofing structure.

How to Prioritize Safety for Students with Your School’s Roof

Here are a few things for school administrators, architects, and contractors to keep in mind when it comes to prioritizing safety for a roofing project:

  1. Design and build with safety in mind. While there are various new trends in commercial roofing that could make for an interesting design, it’s important to consider safety first and foremost. When it comes to roofing, thicker and stronger is better. However, there are several other risks to consider for protecting against damage and potential disaster. For example, how water is kept out during the construction project is critical. Schools should consult with a qualified roofing professional to not only identify the standards and codes that apply to their facilities, but they should also understand how to prioritize safety during the construction process.
  2. Maximize on-site safety during the roofing project. Roofing projects can be a dangerous undertaking, especially if people are present. Before any work begins, it is necessary to have some serious discussions about safety. For example, we often encourage that a roofing project takes place when students aren’t present. In addition to some of the obvious ways to prioritize safety, there are numerous ways schools can prioritize on-site safety during a roofing project.
  3. Be proactive about planning for potential disaster. Even if you choose to build the safest roof possible, no one can control unforeseen circumstances and natural disasters. A committed roofing partner can help schools establish a disaster response plan to minimize roof damage in the event of a natural disaster. They can also provide preventative maintenance to guard against the weather damage from wind, hail, rain or ice and snow.

When it comes to constructing or renovating a school, architects and contractors make every effort possible to make sure the project meets or surpasses all building code requirements. The roof should be at the top (no pun intended) of that list.

To learn more about our safety principles and practices, our services, or our commercial roofing capabilities for schools, contact us today!

How To Ensure On-Site Safety During a Commercial Roofing Project

Posted on by John Maxwell

Property managers and building owners have a responsibility to keep the occupants and visitors in their building safe at all times. That responsibility can be complicated when roofing teams are onsite to conduct repairs or to replace the roof system. Roof repair and re-roofing projects can be dangerous work, with many potential hazards for anyone in and around the property. Before any work begins, it is necessary to have some serious discussions about safety.

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5 Things Every Facility Manager Needs To Know About Their Roof

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

The roof is one of the most important components of the building, but “out of sight is out of mind”. So, many facilities managers and property owners tend to forget their roofs until a problem arises. This approach leads to repetitive leaks, ongoing patch jobs, expensive repairs and ultimately that, “Oh no” moment of panic and dread when the roof needs to be replaced. Now, facilities managers can learn about and understand what’s happening above them. Here are five things that every facility manager needs to know about their roof.

#1: What Is The Leak History of the Roof?

The leak history of a roof tells the story of what’s going on in a roofing system. The pattern and presence of leaks over time can inform diagnosis of the problem. Repeated leaks around skylights, for example, may indicate a construction defect rather than roof damage. (That’s right, roof leaks are often more a result of a design or construction flaw than a roof defect, per se.)

Leak history can also help the contractor more accurately assess the roof’s potential remaining life. A complete record of where water has gotten in and how it was repaired can help the contractor and Owner know whether or not water has infiltrated the roof system and saturated the insulation – which is the death knell for a roof.

#2: Who Is Getting On The Roof?

While Mother Nature can be hard on a roof, humans are usually a roofing system’s biggest enemy. If a roof is accessible to tenants or to other trade contractors for heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and other repairs, the roof is at risk of puncture, cuts, tears, and other damage.

Controlling access to the roof is essential for protecting the integrity of the roofing system. However, facilities managers don’t need to be fearful of granting access. People who use the roof should be able to come to the manager and let them know if they inadvertently caused damage. That means being friendly and available to tenants, repair workers and contractors who want access to the roof. Good access control and good communication allows managers to track issues they may never have known about otherwise.

#3: What Are the Safety Hazards Of The Roof?

Every roof is rife with safety hazards beyond the sheer height of the building. Some hazards are obvious, such as the edge of the roof being a fall hazard. Others are not quite as evident.

Skylights can be an extreme hazard. These features are not built for sitting or holding a lot of weight, and people on the roof may be tempted to rest on top of one, or place toolboxes on the skylight, putting themselves and the people inside in danger. Hidden corners, drop-offs and L-corners are also a hazard for anyone walking on a roof, especially they have never been on that particular building before. It’s easy to approach edges and corners in non-square layouts without realizing it.

#4: How Is The Roof Made

A thorough facilities manager should know as much as possible about the way the roof is built including:

  • When the roof was built
  • Where the design plans are
  • The roofing materials
  • The manufacturers of those materials
  • The company that installed the roof
  • The terms of the warranty

Knowing these details can help form a baseline understanding of the roof itself, and allows the facilities manager to communicate more effectively with a roofing contractor.

#5: When Was The Last Inspection?

Regular roofing inspections are the key to maintaining a roof that performs well and lasts as long as possible. One of the most important things a facility manager needs to know about their roof is the inspection history. If it has been more than a year, or if no one on the facilities team has any idea when the last inspection was, it’s been too long.

These roofing inspections help get ahead of major issues, keep the facilities team in the loop on areas to watch and conditions to observe, and ensure that budgets can properly be set for future repairs and re-roofing projects.

The more familiar the facilities manager becomes with the roof, the better. When it comes to prolonging roof life, choose a good contractor and make strong repair decisions, always keep in mind that you can never be armed with too much information. It is worth the time for a facility manager to learn and file away as much information as possible about their roof, in order to get the most value from the system.

How to Protect Your Roofing Company Against Damage, Injury and Liability

Posted on by John Maxwell

As a building owner or property manager, do you feel protected? With any roofing project, you need to be aware of the various concerns that could affect the success, cost, and timeline of your build. There are safety and liability concerns – and what about the roof and building itself? In this introductory piece, we’ll explore all the aspects of roof work that you need to consider so that you can manage the risk.

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Before the Work Begins: How a Job Hazard Analysis Protects Owners and Contractors

Posted on by John Maxwell

Property owners or managers could be liable for any damage or injuries that occur on their properties or worksites. Thus, it’s vital that they not only understand how they can influence safety on the job site, but also why it’s vital to hire a contractor who is safety conscious. By ensuring safety at the job site, diligent, responsible contractors do more than just look out for the health and well-being of their workers. Strong safety measures ensure efficient work and reduce the probability that either the owner or the contractor will be subject to costly legal repercussions should a problem occur. It all starts with analyzing and communicating the potential hazards.

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