Roofing Law

Staying Safe During a Heat Wave featured image

Staying Safe During a Heat Wave

Contractors and construction professionals need to be aware of the ever-present dangers of working on rooftops. Between standing on uneven surfaces and working at great heights, professionals in the roofing industry must always keep safety and health a top priority. One underrated danger for roofers is working outdoors in unbearable summertime heat.
Throughout the summertime, millions of Americans experience the effects of a heatwave. With a heat index over 100 degrees in many states across the United States, thousands of workers are negatively impacted by extreme temperatures. It’s critical that roofing contractors educate themselves on warning signs and prevention methods to ensure their workplace remains safe. In this brief article, a roofing attorney in Tennessee will provide you with some insight into ways you can combat heat waves on rooftops.

Weather Alerts

Inclement weather is always a concern for roofers and the construction industry. During the hot summer months, storms can appear out of thin air. Even light rain is a significant factor as scattered raindrops can create a slippery surface for workers’ footing. With smartphone applications, you can track weather patterns via radar helping to mitigate the chances of an upcoming storm or other instance of inclement weather, impacting your workplace safety.

Coordinating Your Schedule

There are many ways to reduce the impact of the sun during a heatwave. It’s critical that you plan your day around avoiding as much impact from the sun as you can. Early morning scheduling is always a safe route in construction. You can also position your starting workstation for the day in the shade and change positions throughout the day to reduce time directly in the sun.

Staying Cool

Water stations need to be located on every jobsite. Contractors should have a cooler filled with water, ice, towels, and ice packs. As the roof absorbs a significant amount of radiation, contractors should also require frequent breaks away from the rooftop in shady areas to allow workers to rest and hydrate. Dressing in white and light clothing, applying sunscreen often, and wearing hats should be mandatory.

Detecting the Symptoms

Although a first aid kit with a thermometer should be located at the site of every roofing job, it’s critical that contractors are aware of the signs of heat stroke and act quickly if a worker is showcasing these symptoms. Whether it’s a light-headed worker, reddened skin, nausea, accelerated breathing, or an absence of sweat, it’s critical that you communicate often with your workers and seek immediate medical care if workers are showcasing serious symptoms of heat exhaustion.

If you would like to speak with a knowledgeable roofing lawyer in Tennessee, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.