Roofing basically involves two phases – you are either tearing off an existing roof or you are applying a new roof. Another way to describe it is demolition or construction. No matter what you call it or how you categorize it, there is one fact that remains – roofing job sites (construction sites) are constantly in a state of change. What the job site looks like at 9 a.m. should be different than what it looked like at 8 a.m. If it doesn’t, then somebody has not been working.
What this means in terms of safety is that the number, location, severity, and types of hazards at a roofing job site are constantly changing. There are several methods of controlling these hazards, including employee training, supervision, equipment, and work practices. This Safety Talk addresses site assessments as a means of controlling work practices.
To some, a site assessment may sound like a complicated and formal process that involves observation, analysis, and a bunch of paperwork. And that notion is true on some occasions. But a site assessment can also be a rather simple task that is performed on a routine basis and involves all employees at the worksite.
The purpose/goal of a site assessment is to identify the hazards that are currently present and to anticipate what hazards may develop at the worksite so the company can take action to develop some controls for those hazards. For example, let’s say that your crew was placing metal panels on the roof of a medium-size commercial building, and during that particular day another contractor was scheduled to place several HVAC units on the roof also. Do you see where some additional hazards might occur because of the HVAC contractor’s work? Consider another example that has to do with the weather forecast for the day. The weather conditions in the morning, when work began, were perfect but the forecast for the afternoon weather included rapidly deteriorating conditions with heavy rainfall and high winds. This situation is different, but it also points out the importance of anticipating (forecasting) new worksite hazards.
DISCUSSION NOTES:
Assessing a jobsite for hazards is an effective method of preventing injuries. Assessing a construction site for hazards is even more important because construction worksites are constantly changing and that change brings with it new hazards. Unknown or unidentified hazards are just waiting to hurt someone. Answer the following questions and see if you don’t agree.
1) Have you ever walked around the corner of a building at a construction site and stumbled over a pile of debris that wasn’t there 30 minutes earlier?
2) How many times have you attempted to use an electrical outlet that was energized one day but not the next? Had the electricians done some work that changed the circuits?
What this means in terms of safety is that the number, location, severity, and types of hazards at a roofing job site are constantly changing. There are several methods of controlling these hazards, including employee training, supervision, equipment, and work practices. This Safety Talk addresses site assessments as a means of controlling work practices.
To some, a site assessment may sound like a complicated and formal process that involves observation, analysis, and a bunch of paperwork. And that notion is true on some occasions. But a site assessment can also be a rather simple task that is performed on a routine basis and involves all employees at the worksite.
The purpose/goal of a site assessment is to identify the hazards that are currently present and to anticipate what hazards may develop at the worksite so the company can take action to develop some controls for those hazards. For example, let’s say that your crew was placing metal panels on the roof of a medium-size commercial building, and during that particular day another contractor was scheduled to place several HVAC units on the roof also. Do you see where some additional hazards might occur because of the HVAC contractor’s work? Consider another example that has to do with the weather forecast for the day. The weather conditions in the morning, when work began, were perfect but the forecast for the afternoon weather included rapidly deteriorating conditions with heavy rainfall and high winds. This situation is different, but it also points out the importance of anticipating (forecasting) new worksite hazards.
DISCUSSION NOTES:
Assessing a jobsite for hazards is an effective method of preventing injuries. Assessing a construction site for hazards is even more important because construction worksites are constantly changing and that change brings with it new hazards. Unknown or unidentified hazards are just waiting to hurt someone. Answer the following questions and see if you don’t agree.
1) Have you ever walked around the corner of a building at a construction site and stumbled over a pile of debris that wasn’t there 30 minutes earlier?
2) How many times have you attempted to use an electrical outlet that was energized one day but not the next? Had the electricians done some work that changed the circuits?