Roof Walking Tips

Make sure all technicians are using OSHA Approved Fall Protection. It's also recommended that leadership and technicians going on the roof receive OSHA certified training.

Manage The Hoses

Besides maintaining the proper fall protection, hose management is the most important consideration while walking on a roof. The hoses can be heavy while full of liquid. Pull an ample amount of hose over the property peak or onto the roof. Secure the hose so that it do not move around or risk falling off the roof.

Make sure the hose is not wrapped around the vents, chimney stacks, or skylines. These structures can be plastic or thin metal are are easily breakable.

DO NOT STEP ON THE HOSES

The fastest way off the roof is by stepping on a hose. Kidding aside, the hoses role very easily on inclined surfaces. This rolling motion will cause a technician's foot to roll and lose balance. This is one of the most dangerous things a technician can do on an inclined surface.

Walking on Tiles

Concrete or Clay Tiles can be extremely brittle. Do not step in the middle of the tiles because they can crack or break. Instead, step on the overlap where the tiles reinforce each other and are secured by the wood underneath.

Metal Roofs

Its is never our recommendation to walk on metal roofs. Many metal roof do not have proper decking underneath making them structurally impossible to walk. Additionally, metal roofs become extremely slippery when wet. Instead, rent a boom arm truck to minimize damage, prevent injury and maximize cleaning.