I took numerous road trips throughout the Northeast last summer, always keenly aware of roof projects along the way. My wife calls it “roof-spooking,” but I prefer wildlife observation. It’s usually from a distance with field binoculars, and to observe work in its natural habitat. Last season, I roof-spooked more than a dozen mostly residential crews working without fall protection. Discouraging as it seems, only one made the effort to work at height with a bare semblance of 50 percent tie-off. I am convinced it remains the overall nature of the construction industry to “run bare” when it comes to implementing fall protection. As good as the equipment design has become since 1998, let’s face it — wearing a harness, lanyard, lifeline and anchor point can still be cumbersome on any roof.
The Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) begins its preamble to Pamphlet #3755-05/2015 “Protecting Roof Workers” with the three necessary steps required of roofing contractors: plan, provide and train. It also restates the obvious: “Falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries and death among roofers.”