Safety and Occupational Hazards
Falls, heat, and everything overhead
Falls are the leading cause of roofing fatalities. Know fall protection triggers - generally 6 ft in construction (verify the current OSHA standard and any state plan) - and the systems: guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest (harness, lanyard, anchor), and warning lines for low-slope. Know ladder safety: 4:1 angle, 3 ft above the landing, secured, and rated for the load.
Know hazard communication: Safety Data Sheets (SDS), labeling, and training for adhesives, solvents, and sealants. Know respiratory and skin protection for asphalt and solvent exposure, eye protection for cutting and nailing, and hearing protection for nail guns and compressors. Know heat illness prevention - water, rest, shade - and that roofing work in summer is a high-risk activity. Know electrical hazards near power lines and the required clearance before handling metal ladders or long materials.
Traps: assuming a harness alone is enough (it must be anchored and inspected); assuming a low-slope roof is "safe" (falls still occur); and forgetting that scaffold and ladder rules differ.
Worked example: a 5:12 roof at 20 ft eave height requires fall protection. A warning line alone is not sufficient at that height for most tasks - a guardrail or personal fall arrest system is needed.
Rule of thumb: if you can fall, you need protection - plan it before you climb.