Inspecting or working on your roof can be a dangerous business, if the necessary safety precautions are not taken into account. Otherwise, what should be a nice do-it-yourself home adventure could lead to disaster. Ladders, steep and slippery roofs with not necessarily the best equipment, can be hazardous. When working on your roof, make sure to follow the below precautions to prevent accidents:

  • Never work alone: Never work on your roof alone. Be prepared for the worst case scenario and have somebody at hand to help you or get help if anything happens.
  • The ladder’s place and position are key: Make sure the ladder is on a solid and level surface. You can use ladder stabilizers that attach to the top end of the ladder. If the base of the ladder sits on a dirt or grass surface, dig holes and put the ladder legs into it, in order that it holds the ladder in place.
  • Never walk on a wet or frozen roof: Wet or frozen roofs can be very slippery and therefore one should never start working on them in the first place. Also remember that leaves and other organic material on a roof can be very slippery too. It is a best practice to first clean your roof and gutters from any dirt, leafs and other remnants and then start working on it.
  • Don’t forget the safety harness: Be prepared for the worst case scenario and always wear a safety harness. Make sure it is tied to something robust and solid.
  • Create a safe footing on the roof: Attach a ladder to the surface of the roof and use it as a temporary safe footing. You can also temporarily nail small sections on the roof and move them as your work place changes.
  • Your gear matters: Wear secure shoes with strong footings to help avoid slipping. Don’t forget to use safety glasses, safety gloves and appropriate head protection.
  • Keep the place tidy and clear: Clean up as you go. Remove any tools that you don’t use at the moment from the site and clean the place from any old debris or remnants as they can increase the danger of tripping or slipping.
  • Keep your eyes open: The view from the roof may be fantastic and sometimes, it can be really hard not to be distracted by it, but keeping one’s eyes on the work area is essential to prevent miss stepping or tripping.
  • Watch the weather forecast: If it is windy or there is a thunder storm in the area, postpone your work for another day. A strong wind gust can literally throw you off the roof.
  • Don’t climb to the roof, if you are uncomfortable with heights: If you feel uncomfortable on a ladder and don’t like to be on heights, don’t do your roofing yourself. Call a professional to do it for you. Calling a professional to do the roofing of your house, is the safest way to do it.