As the construction industry’s busy season begins, it’s important to stay focused on jobsite safety. It’s an important topic here at The Garland Company, because roofing, like any construction process, is filled with dangerous elements.
Read below for some important jobsite safety tips, as recommended by OSHA.
Hot Kettle Safety Tips
The hot kettle and working with a hot-applied roofing system is one of the most dangerous components of the roofing construction process. When a roofing project requires use of a hot kettle, two minimum 20-pound fire extinguishers should be located within 25 feet of the working kettle. All workers on the site should be wearing leather or heat-resistant gloves as well as long pants without cuffs, long-sleeved cotton shirts, non-skid shoes and goggles or safety glasses with side shields.
Combustible materials, including propane tanks, should be kept at least 20 feet away from the heat source for the kettle. When the kettle itself is actively heating material, it should be placed on a noncombustible surface.
The workers assigned to operate the kettle should be trained in the proper operation of it and have knowledge of the material being heated. It’s important to have the kettle equipped with a working thermometer, so the temperature of the material can be monitored.
General Jobsite Safety Tips
No matter what type of construction job or material you’re working with, there are general jobsite safety tips that can go a long way:
- All workers should be trained in the specifics of the site plan
- Good housekeeping should always be practiced – debris on any job site can cause slips, trips and falls
- If manually transferring materials in buckets, ensure the materials are at a safe level for hoisting and carrying and never fill a bucket more than three-fourths full
- Carry buckets on the down slope side of the body and make sure to use buckets with splash guards
- Twist mops instead of pulling or jerking to un-stick them from buckets and twist buckets to un-stick them from the roof
- Implement an accident prevention program that includes all necessary training and equipment
- Ensure all workers are trained on the hazards of hot bitumen and general safe work practices. Supervisors should encourage, and when necessary, enforce safety rules and best practices
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand and train workers to use them properly
At Garland, we believe that safety is crucial to the quality and longevity for our roofs.