One of the best ways to practice roof repair safety is by using the correct equipment in the first place. Before starting any type of DIY job, make sure that you have the proper equipment on hand in working condition.
A rusty saw and a poorly functioning nail gun aren’t going to do you any good in your roofing project. Even worse, broken or damaged tools could cause a serious injury if they misfire or aren’t used as intended.
Proper Roof Safety Equipment
Beyond the right tools and accessories, it’s critical to have the correct roof safety equipment before starting a construction project. Proper roof safety equipment includes:
- Eye goggles
- Work gloves
- Ladder stabilizer
- Netting
- Guardrails
- Roof anchors
- Roof brackets
- Rope
- Safety harness
- Lanyard
- Scaffolding
Also check out the potential safety risks before starting your roofing project.
Fall Protection
Roof safety harness:
Depending on the complexity and pitch of your residential or commercial roof, safety equipment can vary greatly. A steeper roof will require a reliable safety harness. A basic roof safety harness may start as low as $50 and will almost eliminate the risk of a fall from a roof.
Roofing anchors:
In order to secure a harness, a temporary anchor or permanent anchor is recommended. For even a small DIY project, a permanent anchor is preferred because it can be attached directly to a house and concealed with shingles.
The next time you need to get on your roof to evaluate or repair a broken shingle, the anchor will be there waiting for attachment to your safety harness.
Roof safety equipment kits:
To make the process easier, some manufacturers sell complete roof safety equipment kits that include all of the basics, like a harness, a vertical lifeline assembly, and an anchor. A roof safety equipment kit can help to save you money on the cost of safety materials instead of buying all components separately.
For all DIY roofers, don’t forget to read the no-brainer guidelines for roof safety to greatly reduce the risk of any injury on-the-job.
