The commercial roofing industry is perhaps one of the most dangerous markets out there. As a matter of fact, this is one of the riskiest jobs within the construction industry alone. After all, there are various factors that can affect the safety and security of workers within the sector.
This is why it’s important to have a strong and well-rounded safety program in place. It not only keeps its employees safe from harm, but it also ensures the company’s reliability and trustworthiness in the field.
With safety being a huge part of what makes the commercial roofing industry a success, getting to know what it brings to the table and how these are upheld in the workplace is a must. Read on to know more about this.
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Benefits of Upholding Safety Standards in the Roofing Industry
Commercial roofing safety standards and precautions play a vital role in making the workplace safe and secure, as well as more productive and efficient at the same time. Having a strong safety program reduces not only the risks that workers encounter on a daily basis, but also enhances the overall motivation and productivity within the workplace. Below are some benefits that these bring.
Fewer Accidents in the Workplace
This is one of the most essential benefits that stem from having a rigorous safety program in place. Accidents occur due to a number of reasons, from having a lack of knowledge of how to operate certain tools to having insufficient training and familiarity. These, however, can all be prevented, reducing the risk of further encountering accidents in the workplace or other job sites.
By strictly following the safety precautions and general safety program, everyone in the company can finally avoid accidents and even avoid incurring injuries in the long run.
Lessens Liabilities and Work Interruptions
In relation to the previous point, upholding construction safety also reduces the chance of interrupting work. This allows the company to proceed with the project as planned, letting it be completed on time.
While the ability of the said commercial roofing project does not solely rely on the safety of workers, the lack of unwanted incidents certainly helps in delivering on time. This is because safety protocols prevent the health and well-being of employees from being jeopardized in the first place.
Quality of Work and Increased Motivation
Employees would be more than happy and motivated to stay with a company that they feel and see values a safe work culture. Not only would companies see higher staff retention, but they can also motivate their workers to do their best time and time again, especially when people know their company cares about them.
Safety Precautions to Look for in the Workplace
With workers and employees constantly being exposed to various risks and dangers while on the job, such as varying weather changes and conditions to working with different people on the job at the same time, it cannot be denied that the roofing industry exposed workers to potentially falling and even dying on the job.
Given this, safety standards and programs should be looked for by just about everyone. Below are some aspects that should be covered by these programs.
Getting Proper Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, otherwise known as OSHA, needs all construction companies in the industry to provide ample and extensive training to their employees on different topics – from learning how to use construction and commercial roofing equipment properly to using heavier and more complicated tools and equipment. Even climbing a ladder needs to be covered in this training.
Undergoing training lets employees become more aware of their job sites as well as hazards they could come across while on the job. Safety regulations change all the time. By undergoing relevant training, employees are able to understand the use of the equipment and how they could communicate with other team members.
Physical Barriers in Place
Commercial roofers work relatively high on the ground. Workers can fall without the right physical barriers in place. Given this, preparing against falls comes in handy. This entails that guardrail systems and even safety nets are installed in and around the perimeter of the area being worked on.
These physical barriers and safety rails likewise act as a means to alert workers about the sections they should be wary of.
Wearing Protective Equipment
Of course, it goes without question that wearing protective equipment in the workplace or at the job site is imperative. This includes the most famous hardhat and safety glasses, but that doesn’t stop there. Commercial roofers also need to be decked out in the right shoes and clothing, such as having closed-toed shoes and wearing gloves as another layer of protection.
Moreover, workers should be extensive with personal protective equipment such as a full body harness and a connecting device that links and anchors them to the anchorage or connector.
Where These Safety Standards and Precautions are Practiced
These safety programs and aspects should be adhered to every step of the way and not just at the job site or workplace. Employees must be aware that even before they go on the road, they should have all their personal protective equipment with them, as well as all materials and tools they may need on the job.
Commercial roofing companies usually have a site-specific safety plan in place that details not only the specifications of the location but also the hazards and risks that you can come across and how you can prevent or minimize these. Familiarizing yourself with these details will save you from harm.
At the site, however, workers should check on the safety precautions in place, from the materials down to the ladders and safety rails and more.
The Bottom Line
Going through the company’s checklist can ensure the safety of both people and the job site every single time. By upholding a strong safety program, companies are able to put a premium on the lives of their workers while also upholding the integrity of the project and their reputation in the industry.
