Jobsite Safety and Occupational Practices
Falls are the hazard that kills roofers
OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926) apply, and the fall-protection trigger for construction work is 6 feet. Above that height, employers must provide guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest, or a comparable alternative. Personal fall arrest means a full-body harness, a lanyard, and an anchor rated at 5,000 pounds per worker, with the system rigged to limit free fall and with a prompt rescue plan. Body belts are not acceptable for fall arrest.
Ladders. Use the 4:1 rule: one foot of base setback for every four feet of working height, and extend the ladder three feet above the roof edge or landing. Secure it, use three points of contact, and never stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder.
Scaffolds. Guardrails are required at 10 feet; platforms must be fully planked; a competent person must inspect before each shift.
Other site hazards. Nail guns and staplers cause puncture injuries - keep fingers clear and disconnect air before clearing jams. Kettle work with hot asphalt requires burn protection and ventilation. Propane torches require fire watch and a fire extinguisher. Keep 10 feet of clearance from overhead power lines with ladders, poles and equipment. Hazard Communication requires an SDS for every chemical on site. Heat illness is a real Gulf Coast risk: water, rest, shade, acclimatization.
Traps. Quoting the general-industry 4-foot trigger instead of the construction 6-foot trigger; tying off to conduit, vents or a single nail; using a roof anchor without engineering; using warning lines where they are not permitted.
Worked example. A crew is installing shingles on a 6:12 roof 12 feet above grade. Fall protection is required; a competent person selects roof anchors rated 5,000 pounds with full-body harnesses and verifies anchorage before the first worker steps onto the roof.