As summer draws to a close in New Jersey and the Northeast, blazing temperatures will give way to milder conditions, giving contractors and construction crews an easier environment in which to work, especially roofing crews. The first few months of autumn, just before day light savings time in November, provide a perfect window of very little bad weather and cool temperatures in which to work. In addition, many homeowners, realizing winter is just around the corner and their roof is not up to the challenge, rush to get their house ready for the season.
Unfortunately, due to dramatic increase of orders and the dangers of roofing, there is an uptick in injuries or deaths during this time as well. Every year hundreds of roofers are injured or fall to their deaths in roofing accidents.
This fall, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is hoping to curb some of these accidents with a simple safety plan found on their website. As the leading cause of death on construction sites, roofing accidents can be avoided if employees take the time to:
- Plan: Decide how the job will be tackled, the best approach and the overall assignment BEFORE climbing the ladder.
- Provide: Make sure you have the right tools for yourself and your employees!
- Train: Everyone who steps foot on the roof should be fully trained in proper set-up and safety equipment. Failure to do so can most certainly lead to injury or death.
Remember, if you have been injured in a roofing accident you have the right to compensation through your employer. If your injuries were due to a third party, you may have ground to pursue legal action. Contact Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari, at 973-845-4421 to schedule a consultation and discuss your claim in detail.