Roof Safety-how to find a good anchor?
- Thread starter TomD
- Start date
I assume your speaking of a pitched roof. Doing these by yourself is in my opinion not a good idea. I had a freind killed here last year working on roof. He was a contractor for many years and just made that 1 mistake. Anyway, You can always go over the peak with a rope and tie it off to your vehicle or a "substantial" object such as a tree( a large one not dead). Also get a belt that fits with a good "d"ring or 2 A "D" ring on either side of your waste is better because you can run the rope thru one ring to the other. If you slip the belt will sinch up and you will not fallout of it. Use a spring clip to connect on the belt end, do not tie a knot. Always check visually the clip when you connect it to the "d" ring. Do not go by sound, it may sound like it clicked but never did. The second person on the ground can ease out on the rope as you move up and down the roof. Also you want someone who is going to watch what you connect to so some morrron doesn't untie you or mess with your setup. Remember that you are potentially looking at OSHA regulations and penalties if someone gets hurt. The rules for belts etc. are also changing to full body harnesses in some cases. Check out some Utility product suppliers such as Klein tools and Grainger for belts, etc..
I worked for a utility company for 30 years and the rules are horrendous and getting worse for aerial work.
Hope this helped.
Bob
I worked for a utility company for 30 years and the rules are horrendous and getting worse for aerial work.
Hope this helped.
Bob
Thank you, Bob, for your comments. I have since implemented proceedures similar to what you suggested so it is good to have confirmation of them. I still don't pursue the roofs with pitches steeper than 9/12 - it seems that around that pitch you have to stop using the rope/harness setup as a positioning/fall protection tool and use it more like a rock climber who dangles from it. yuk.
Tom D
I had extensive contact with OSHA as a safety specialist in my last career. My specialty was aerial and underground safety for a major phone Co.. I will tell you that OSHA is mostly a self funded organization who investigates most major injuries & fatalities dealing with large business but love to make examples of anyone who has a injury fall expecially if it makes the news. They focus on the larger Co. but will not hesitate to take the single owner or small Co. down with major fines. I do not want to see anyone hurt most of all nor would I want anyone to loose a home over a roof cleaning job. They also like little gus because we do not have the funds to fight them in court.
Another issue if you have employees is documented saftey training. If they or you have been trained in any safety issues such as working around power, power washer safety, training by this organization or any other, document it. The documentation does not have to be very formal just that it was done. This can save your butt big time.
There are many posts about the x-jet which looks like a possability to clean steeper roofs. I have no experieence with it but from what I've read it looks pretty good. Try searching under x jet for the posts or try the web site.
My feelings about safety has always been if I don't feel safe - do not do it. You can also research at WWW.OSHA.GOV for OSHA specs. You may need a lawyer though for interpretation.
I had extensive contact with OSHA as a safety specialist in my last career. My specialty was aerial and underground safety for a major phone Co.. I will tell you that OSHA is mostly a self funded organization who investigates most major injuries & fatalities dealing with large business but love to make examples of anyone who has a injury fall expecially if it makes the news. They focus on the larger Co. but will not hesitate to take the single owner or small Co. down with major fines. I do not want to see anyone hurt most of all nor would I want anyone to loose a home over a roof cleaning job. They also like little gus because we do not have the funds to fight them in court.
Another issue if you have employees is documented saftey training. If they or you have been trained in any safety issues such as working around power, power washer safety, training by this organization or any other, document it. The documentation does not have to be very formal just that it was done. This can save your butt big time.
There are many posts about the x-jet which looks like a possability to clean steeper roofs. I have no experieence with it but from what I've read it looks pretty good. Try searching under x jet for the posts or try the web site.
My feelings about safety has always been if I don't feel safe - do not do it. You can also research at WWW.OSHA.GOV for OSHA specs. You may need a lawyer though for interpretation.
Minuteman
New member
60+ pitched roof
I just finished my first roof. I can't tell you what a mistake it was. I should have started on something smaller, but I never walk away from a job.
I had to get some gear from REI - harness, grigri, clips, and some good 200' rope. I also spent about an hour reviewing everything with the people at REI.
This house had two normal long sides with a gable at the back, two at the front and a tall chopped off gable in the center of the house. It was one and a half stories. I used bottom ladder stabilizers and a top roof stabilizer. I had to tie off three different places to access all areas. At many times I was relying 100% on the rope - not just for piece of mind. I tied off to a large tree at the back of the house the first time, roped around the chimney a few times for added security and maneuverability. I also found some anchors mid-building near the peak. I put a small clip through the anchor then a larger one that would fit my rope. This allowed me to work mid roof without being pulled into a swing (i.e. as if I were tied off to the top of the roof not the far right end of the house). For the two front gables I stood at the front of the house and tossed half my rope over each gable. Each gable was 50+ degrees. I tied off to a tree to work the opposite side then switched. I found it was easiest to scale up to the top of the gable, take up all the slack except about 2-3 feet, then step out and work from the top down. I clipped my wand to my belt with a clip so I would have both hands free until I was ready to start. I used a 12% pool bleach on asphalt shingles. I also cleaned all the gutters that were filled with mud and leaves.
It was 98-110 that day and I did not take a break. I know I drank at lease 4-5 gallons of Gatorade and water. I got a great tan the hard way - I hope it turns into a tan...It just really hurts right now. My legs and toes were cramping for two hours after - all of that walking at angles on the roof. My hands are red and swollen from trying to hold the rope with one hand and wash with the other. I did realize that if at all possible try to walk / lean with both feet parallel to the side of the house using the sides of your legs rather than just your calf or shins.
That was yesterday. This AM I have to mow, go to church and clean one of my janitorial contracts tonight.
Here is a pic of the house
I just finished my first roof. I can't tell you what a mistake it was. I should have started on something smaller, but I never walk away from a job.
I had to get some gear from REI - harness, grigri, clips, and some good 200' rope. I also spent about an hour reviewing everything with the people at REI.
This house had two normal long sides with a gable at the back, two at the front and a tall chopped off gable in the center of the house. It was one and a half stories. I used bottom ladder stabilizers and a top roof stabilizer. I had to tie off three different places to access all areas. At many times I was relying 100% on the rope - not just for piece of mind. I tied off to a large tree at the back of the house the first time, roped around the chimney a few times for added security and maneuverability. I also found some anchors mid-building near the peak. I put a small clip through the anchor then a larger one that would fit my rope. This allowed me to work mid roof without being pulled into a swing (i.e. as if I were tied off to the top of the roof not the far right end of the house). For the two front gables I stood at the front of the house and tossed half my rope over each gable. Each gable was 50+ degrees. I tied off to a tree to work the opposite side then switched. I found it was easiest to scale up to the top of the gable, take up all the slack except about 2-3 feet, then step out and work from the top down. I clipped my wand to my belt with a clip so I would have both hands free until I was ready to start. I used a 12% pool bleach on asphalt shingles. I also cleaned all the gutters that were filled with mud and leaves.
It was 98-110 that day and I did not take a break. I know I drank at lease 4-5 gallons of Gatorade and water. I got a great tan the hard way - I hope it turns into a tan...It just really hurts right now. My legs and toes were cramping for two hours after - all of that walking at angles on the roof. My hands are red and swollen from trying to hold the rope with one hand and wash with the other. I did realize that if at all possible try to walk / lean with both feet parallel to the side of the house using the sides of your legs rather than just your calf or shins.
That was yesterday. This AM I have to mow, go to church and clean one of my janitorial contracts tonight.
Here is a pic of the house
