Working Safely

Intro

In general never work in a place where you could slide or fall off the roof; always have support for both feet and a way to stop yourself in case you start to slip.
Do not work on a steep roof (steeper than 8:12); leave that to the pros.
Stay clear of power lines.
Take the time to anchor ladders so there is no possibility that they will tilt over.
Avoid working after drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you drowsy.
Always have at least one helper who can assist you if you get into a tight spot.
If you hire a helper, make sure he or she is protected with medical insurance and worker's compensation insurance.
Stay alert for dangerous circumstances, such as loose shingles.
Treat a power nailer like a loaded gun. Keep it pointed away from yourself and others. Do not disable or attempt to circumvent the safety mechanism.
Use a ladder only if it is in good shape. Do not use one that has a broken rung, a missing or loose shoe, or a malfunctioning rung lock.
For the greatest protection against injuries, use a roof anchor attached to a body harness.
Wasps and yellow jackets often live in eaves and other areas of the roof. Don't let one sting cause you to fall. Don't panic; maintain a safe secure footing.

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Safety First: Anchor a ladder

Make sure a ladder is stable before you climb onto it. If the ground is not level, dig a quick hole (you can use a hammer) to lower one leg or place a plank under a leg to raise it. To ensure that the bottom won't kick out, drive stakes against both legs or drive a single stake and tie the ladder to it. You also may choose to tie the top of the ladder to an eyehook driven temporarily into the fascia.

Using an Extension Ladder: Step 1

Do not extend the ladder yet. Hold the ladder perpendicular to the wall with its feet out from the wall about one-fourth the height to which it will be raised. Have a helper brace the feet while you raise the ladder above your head, then walk toward the house, elevating the ladder with upraised arms as you go. Allow the ladder to rest against the house.

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Using an Extension Ladder: Step 2

While the helper presses out to move the top of the ladder slightly away from the house, brace the bottom of the ladder with your foot and pull on the fly section's rope or push up on the fly section itself to raise it. Extend the fly section until it is slightly higher than you need it, then allow it to slide back down until both rung locks engage.

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Ladder Technique: Use Standoff Stabilizers

Use standoff stabilizers to protect the gutters. When climbing a ladder, keep your hips inside the side rails. Do not lean over to reach something several feet away; move the ladder. Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top. Do not step on a rung that is more than 1 foot above the point where the ladder is leaning.

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Ladder Technique: Getting onto Roof

To get onto a roof, climb the ladder until your feet are about level with the roofline. Hold both side rails firmly and step with your right foot onto the roof, keeping your left foot on the rung. Do not lean forward onto the top of the ladder. Move your left hand to the right side rail to hold the ladder as you step onto the roof with your left foot.

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What If... You are uncomfortable with heights?

The greatest measure of safety is achieved by using scaffolding rather than a ladder. Scaffolding can usually be rented by the week for a reasonable price. A scaffold that is 10 feet high or so can be erected by two people in 30 minutes to 1 hour. Some scaffolding has wheels so that you can move it without dismantling it.

A bonus: With a scaffold the ease and quality of your work will improve because you have a large, stable work area.

Ladder technique: Getting onto ladder

To get onto a ladder from the roof, grab the tops of both side rails with your hands. Swing your left foot onto the rung near its center. Once you achieve stability slide your left foot over slightly and swing your right foot onto the rung. Do not lean forward on the ladder at any time.

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