Roofing could be such dangerous work. With workers regularly exposed to heights, lifting heavy materials and facing unpredictable weather conditions, if they’re not careful, they could get seriously injured. Or worse, it could result in fatalities.
Safety should be a top priority for both employees and employers in this business. With 134 roofers reportedly dying in the last recorded year, according to the Bureau of Statistics, the injury rate has increased to 51.8%, which is the third highest among all industries.
If you get injured from a roofing accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation, says roofing accident lawyer Briana E. Chua. Injured workers can seek financial aid through the workers’ compensation system.
Still, prevention is best if you are in the industry. And if you know the common causes of roofing accidents, you can also learn how to avoid them.
Inadequate Safety Training
Safety should be a major priority for roofing companies. But somehow, lack of safety training is still one of the major causes of accidents on-site. It is a common misconception that proper training is always done; it is still sometimes left out.
Unskilled workers might not see dangers or understand safety controls. Ignorance of the hazards can cause the workplace to be unsafe and an accident might happen. Employee training and workshops can be a way of making the employees feel they belong to the company, but if that is not done, the feeling might soon fade away.
Lack of safety training puts companies at risk of lawsuits. If this is the case, the employer may be liable for the injuries of the employee. It doesn’t only damage their reputation; they may even have to face legal actions and compensation claims.
But how long does a lawsuit take? There are cases that are complicated, which may take 6 months to several years. There are court schedules you need to follow. You may also consider going to trial or settlement. These factors affect the length of a lawsuit to conclude.
Improper Use of Equipment
Another major cause of accidents occurring on the roof is improper handling of tools and equipment. Unfamiliarity with the tools you use on the job could pose serious problems and a different set of risks.
In any job, you can’t produce a good result when you don’t know how to use your materials. Whether it is a nail gun, a ladder, or a harness, improper usage can very well turn the entire situation into a dangerous one. In such cases, the manufacturer’s instructions should always be your reference point.
In case of any confusion, get your co-workers to help you out or clarify it. This method of assistance will contribute to making the work environment safer and likewise minimize the occurrence of accidents. The safety of your team should be the top priority.
Failure to Adhere to Safety Regulations
Ignoring safety measures at a construction site leads to a very high incidence of accidents on roofs, unfortunately. A worker is not only responsible for his or her safety but also for that of other workers.
Everyone should be able to return home in the evening without suffering any injuries. Not using harnesses and poor training endanger you and your coworkers. Meeting safety requirements is not only a matter of compliance but rather a commitment to the safety of the whole group.
It really needs to be understood that trust and mutual accountability form the bases of a successful team. To be more precise, you actually build a culture of safety where everyone is able to grow, gets confident about the quality of his/her work, and is able to take pride in doing so.
Let us show consideration for one another and keep away accidents because at the end of the day, life is a collective struggle.
Environmental Hazards
Taking the safety rules for granted can put the workers in danger of being exposed to different environmental hazards that are quite dangerous on the job site. Bad weather, dangerous materials, or items dropping from above are all great dangers to your personal safety and health.
Even the presence of mold, dust, and chemicals could pose hazards to workers if not checked properly. Be on the lookout for potential dangers on-site. This is one way to protect you and your team as a whole. In fact, being alert and cautious is a good way to create a safe environment for everyone.
Helping one another fosters community and brotherhood. Besides, you should look into the physical security of your teammates since, at the end of the day, when they get home safely, it is proof that you care for them.
Lack of Supervision and Safety Protocols
To the certain grief of roofers, there lies an opposite error in the employer’s blind eye and access to several ready excuses just waiting to confirm that the prudence was not worth it.
Monitoring could be considered another safety precaution placed to look out for any potential dangers onsite. Without it, workers might ignore important safety rules that can cause mistakes and accidents. The well-being of the whole crew should also be supervised. This way, the spreading of illness could be prevented.
If there is no proper guidance on-site, it would be hard to pinpoint and locate hazardous places or recall important precautions.
Isn’t it scary when all workers on-site slack on safety? Periodic visitations and open lines of communication can help create an atmosphere of safety where everyone feels they have been given support.
When the supervisors put safety at the top of their list and act in such a way that others will follow, the staff will be not only safe but also the ties among the ones who work together will be made stronger.
You all are entitled to work in a place where safety is not just a formality but a shared principle, as it should be.
