I am an absolute shopaholic. I spend a lot of time patronizing literally every type of business under the sun. As an avid consumer, I believe that I have advice that I can give businesses that can help them become more successful and serve there customers better. Even though I am the only one working on this blog, much of what I write comes from endless conversations with friends and family members who have experienced frustrations when patronizing businesses, big and small. My name is Alice Stark and I hope you enjoy the journey that we will be going on together!
When assessing the damage on your roof, you will want to stay safe. One of the biggest hazards when working on a roof is falling. Staying off your roof is the best way to prevent injury, but if you must get on your roof, it is important to follow certain safety precautions to prevent risks. Here are some tips to help reduce fall risks when getting on your roof to inspect storm damage:
1. Safely Doing Visual Inspections from The Ground or Off a Ladder
You will be able to safely inspect any damage to your roof from the ground, but sometimes you need to get a closer look. Most of the injuries that happen to homeowners are from improper use of ladders. First, it is important that you use the correct type of extension-ladder and not a step-ladder. The feet of the ladder need to be extended out where the weight of the ladder causes it to lean against the roof's, edge, but easily be lifted. Do not lean ladders too straight or at too much of an angle. In addition, make sure there are two-to three rungs that extend past the edge of the roof.
2. Using A Basic Fall Prevention Harness from Your Hardware Store
Try to inspect the roof from the edge without getting on it, but if you must get on the roof, make sure to use fall protection. The best fall protection devices are harnesses, which are available on many home improvement stores. Get a basic harness system and plenty of construction grade cordage. Make sure that you use the harness system properly with the anchors and enough cord to allow you to just reach the edge of the roof, and never enough cord to go past the roof's edge. If you do not need to go to the very edge of the roof, using less cord is safer.
3. Scaffold Jacks That Attach to The Roof with Walk-Boards
Scaffold jacks are a special type of scaffolding that walk-boards sit on, and are useful on roofs that are closer to the ground or have a steep slope. There are special roofing scaffold-jacks that fasten to the roof and are used with walk boards. If you plan on doing repairs yourself, jacks will make working easier and faster. When fastening scaffold jacks to the roof, make sure you nail or screw them to the rafters beneath, and never fasten them to plywood alone because they may come loose and cause you to fall. Scaffold-jacks are work platforms and should be used with fall-protection harnesses.
These are some tips that will help you stay safe when inspecting damage to your roof after storms and weather cause problems. Contact a construction equipment rental service for scaffolding, fall protection devices, harness and more.
Share13 June 2017
