Protecting your crew and your business

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how emphasizing your safety practices can not only save lives, but also help you stand out to customers. 

The roofing industry is an incredibly rewarding community to be a part of and to work in, but the truth is that it can also be dangerous. Getting up on a roof always presents risks and OSHA reports that falling off the roof is the leading cause of injury and death in construction. But there are things that you can do as a business owner to mitigate these risks.  

The first and foremost is to ensure that you offer fall protection training to your employees. You also must ensure they have access to protective equipment (with special emphasis on the head, eyes and face) and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). Tools like ladders should be carefully inspected before any employee use and a buddy system should be established to help ensure no one slips. Additionally, as weather conditions shift and change daily, it is important that your work schedule adapts accordingly. In general, you should avoid having crews on the roof in wet or slippery conditions and in the hot months, make sure you are paying attention for the signs of dehydration and heat stroke. 

All of this is incredibly important to protecting your crew and running a safe contracting business. Further, being able to communicate with customers about your safety practices and protocols can help them understand the roofing process better and help them trust in you and your business. In a highly competitive environment like the roofing industry, safety and your ability to highlight it to your customers can set you apart from the crowd and convince customers that your company is the right fit for them. 

Visit the Beacon Blog for tips about keeping a safe job site!