Roofing Safety

VIDEO: Scaffolding Safety for Low-Slope Roofing

RC safety experts explain why having safe, regularly inspected scaffolding is essential for rooftop safety on low slope roofing projects.

By Tammy Clark, John D'Annunzio, Art Aisner

There are many ways to access a typical commercial, low-slope roof, but getting down — and doing so in an emergency — is a different story.

RC went back into the field recently with Tammy Clark, certified safety consultant and owner of Tammy K. Clark companies, and John D’Annunzio, president of IRT-Paragon Engineering Services, based in Michigan, to highlight common safety issues with scaffolding stairs.

From below a stair tower affixed to an automotive plant, the duo explained the common risks and solutions roofers encounter when prioritizing safety on commercial projects in this brief video.

“OSHA requires that anytime there are more than 25 people working on a roof, there have to be multiple areas for access and egress in the event of a fire. And believe me, I’ve seen fires on roofs,” Clark said.

Watch the full video here and check out our other safety-related content for more ways to stay safe on the job.

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Tammy K. Clark is a highly credentialed health, safety and compliance professional who works in the fields of industrial, hygiene, occupational and environmental health and safety.

John A. D’Annunzio is President of Paragon Roofing Technology Inc., a construction engineering firm he founded in 1989. He is the editorial director of Architectural Roofing & Waterproofing and a technical columnist for Roofing Contractor. He has published more than 100 articles and has written four books on building exterior issues. For more information, visit www.paragonroofingtech.com. He can be reached at 248-936-8744.

Art Aisner is Editor-in-Chief of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He spent the bulk of his career as a multi-media journalist for newspapers and television stations before joining the RC team in 2015. He is the driving force behind the publication’s content development, editorial strategy and other initiatives that serve growing audiences in the roofing space.