When to Use a Roofing Harness

construction roofing worker attaching an anchor hook and safety harness fall arrest kit for personal safety from falls and injury risks

When to Use a Roofing Harness

On any job site with high altitudes,  you should use a roofing harness. It’s hard to imagine climbing up a ladder and working on the edge of a high-rise building not feeling safe. Unfortunately, accidents can happen to even the most experienced workers. In fact, according to OSHA reports from 2010-2011 , falls from roofs accounted for 32 percent of all fatalities in the construction industry during that time period. In many cases it makes sense to wear a full body harness when you’re on a ladder or roof, but if you have no other fall protection options it is definitely better than nothing! A full body system will at least keep you attached to something secure so if you slip or lose your footing somehow, there’s some level of safety as long as you’re clipped in. As we all know, you can’t use a full body harness or safety tether system on top of a roof because it will interfere with walking and working on the roof. That leaves many roofers to choose between just having no fall protection at all or using an unsafe/unreliable solution such as bungee cords or rope that doesn’t meet OSHA standards.

Why You Need to Use a Roof Harness

So what options do you have? To put it simply: there really isn’t any other choice than a harness specifically designed for the job, but they come in several varieties. Making sure your harness is designed for roofing work and not for climbing trees or something else involves making sure the gear meets ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z359.1-07 safety standards (the most common of these is ANSI class II harnesses for fall protection). Always make sure you purchase safe and reliable roofing equipment made by a reputable climbing harness company, such as the ones we carry on our website ! There are also different types of harnesses to consider: all have benefits, but always remember that the goal is to provide maximum safety so you should aim for adjustable leg straps and strap protectors. A padded back or hip belt can also help because it’ll prevent heat rash/chafing if you’re working in hot weather conditions.

Invest In a High Quality Roof Harness

Also keep in mind that any type of falling at severe angles can have consequences, so instead of saving a little money and buying the least expensive roof harness you can find, you should always go for a reliable brand that also has a good quality assurance guarantee. Of course, if someone repeatedly falls multiple times or is habitually careless then they might not be a safe worker. If this happens on your job site then you have every right to terminate their services and replace them with a more skilled/committed professional who will follow all the safety rules. In fact, by investing in proper equipment such as roofing harnesses from trusted brands you’ll encourage everyone to take responsibility for being vigilant about following the best practices to avoid accidents . It’s up to all of us as professionals to make each other aware of potential hazards so we can come home at the end of the day without any regrets. By staying alert to your surroundings and knowing what types of fall protection you have available, you’ll be able to limit risks on every job site. That way even if it’s obvious that someone could get hurt with the task at hand, you still have options to provide some safety so they can go home in one piece when everything is done.

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