Observing roofers suited in thick tread boots, helmets, sturdy leather gloves, rope grabs, and edge guards must have begotten the question, ‘Is roofing dangerous?’ at some point. A man with an entrepreneurial mindset must have circulated investing in the business of construction, or most precisely, roofing.
Roofers are seen as men of steel because the job always demands physical as well as intellectual strength to be demonstrated while striving with consistent leaps and bounds aiming to meet your goals of a dream house or work studio.
Unfolding The Roofing Reality
The manifestation of scientific research shows that roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs because the workers are never spared from the hazards of slips or falling from heights through ladders, skylights, and scaffolds. Even expert roofers have been through near-death experiences. Most incidents of falls occur from roof edges and roof surfaces that could have been prevented with safety equipment like personal fall-arrest systems, guardrails, or safety nets.
Honestly speaking, nobody climbs up the roof of the house unless there’s a serious, noteworthy factor such as a leaky roof or cracked walls that might be causing moisture build-up and compromising the integrity of your home. And to search for the culprit section of the roof, your feet might slip if you’ve accidentally stepped on, for example, distorted shingles.
Is Roofing Dangerous? Exploring the Risks and Safety Measures
Undoubtedly, more than half of the roofing hazards are an outcome of falling from great heights but other reasons could be a physical imbalance, psychological issues and unfortunate encounters with electric tools and appliances.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are a consequence of accidentally severe slips that do impose physical, mental and psychological dangers to your well-being, leading to temporary or permanent paralysis and eventually death may occur.
1. Electric Shock
This is the second-highest reason for deaths in the construction industry and relevant fields of work. Since the roofers are working on heights where the electric and power systems are also present, even the slightest inconvenient contact can jeopardize your health because electricity can easily pass through human bodies. In addition, the structure of tools as well as the material with which ladders are constructed can also let the electricity pass through.
2. Skin Burns
Multiple factors could be responsible for skin burns. Some individuals are allergic to the severity of sun rays which gives rise to abnormal dermatologic conditions that could be impossible to cure. Similarly, the use of tar or constructing roofs exposed to extremely hot weather can cause burn incidents that may go beyond the layers of skin.
3. Heat-related Injuries
Working all day long in the open air, particularly in flaming-hot environments, can increase the incidents of dizziness, heat stroke, headache, heat exhaustion, and skin rash. The best yet most common solution is to stay hydrated. Modifying work schedules by discussing with your clients could be helpful.
4. Infectious Diseases
Infectious or communicable diseases are a great threat not only to your health but to your community and may cause an epidemic. A range of tools specified for roofing purposes are available which can give you minor to severe wounds and skin punctures, which, if not treated properly and on time, will lead the microbial infection to spread and cause illnesses.
5. The Impact of Roofing Threats
Roofers are encountered with electricity noises, hazardous substances, and extreme temperatures. In addition, the continuous usage of powerful tools such as air compressor nail guns, staple guns, hook blades, and sharp razors always put their life at stake.
Second to falling is electrocution which refers to the fatal injuries by electric shock, ultimately leading to death. The specifics entail that roofers get to experience unfortunate contact with overhead power lines or getting struck with lightning while on the job. Even if you’re a pro roofer, it is essential to pay close attention to the prospective weather changes.
What Do Healthy Roofers Do?
A roofer must gain physical strength with regular and wholesome consumption of meals to fulfill his energy reserves. If the worker is malnourished, he’ll become prone to physical weakness which compromises the overall stability of your body. Therefore, roofers must practice physical, mental and emotional well-being with the help of appropriate guidance, training, and education.
Psychological Roofing Perception
A psychological aspect behind your imagination regarding ‘Is roofing dangerous?’ could be height phobia. Either the newbie roofer or laborer may already be afraid of heights or there’s a high chance that he must have experienced a great fall from heights in the past which causes trembling of legs while climbing and working up on the roofing. In addition, worse death perception leads to physical imbalance because roofs are never a smooth surface to work on easily.
Instead of contemplating over ‘Is roofing dangerous?’, it is significantly important to get hands-on practice or join hands with an already existing roofing organization which will bestow you with countless adventurous experiences and opportunities and open doors to becoming a successful roofing contractor. Learning about how to do roofing step by step is paramount to prevent the possibility of life-threatening events.
Read More: How to Seal a Leaking Roof?
