Reprinted from Western Roofing magazine September/October 2007.

 

 

Steep Roofing Equipment

It’s important to Have the Right Equipment on the Job

by John MacLaughlin, national marketing manager, Roofmaster Products Company

 

 

Steep roofing poses additional problems for roofing contractors from loading, to safety and installation techniques. There are a variety of commercial products available that may not make it any easier, but can make the job safer and more efficient.

 

Safety

                  Before approaching any steep roofing job, a thorough assessment must be made of the project to determine how to provide to most safety possible for the entire crew. This includes types of ladders, ladder tie-offs, loading equipment, personal fall arrest equipment, tie-off anchors, brackets, written OSHA safety plans, etc. Evaluate how you are going to anchor all personnel that will be up on the roof. There are a variety of roof anchors available, both temporary, disposable, and permanent.

                  On wood structures the anchors are usually the disposable type that should be screwed into the ridge beam. After the job is completed they usually are just bent over or are broken off, and a ridge cap put over them. There are the permanent types that are waterproof and can be left in place, but not usually unless it’s part of the building code or specified as part of the roof build by the architect or roofing consultant. Metal roofs provide an extra challenge, but there are anchors available for metal roofs that will do the job very well.

                  There are basically two types of fall arrest kits that are accepted by most OSHA agencies: rope and slider type; and retractables. Both do the job. Budget and work efficiencies must be taken into consideration on which type will work best for you in a specific application.

                  Roof brackets will usually be used to provide staging areas to hold planks for walking on and loading materials. These brackets usually come in preset angles including 45°, 60°, and 90°, depending on the roof pitch. Adjustable brackets are also available for more flexibility, but these are usually much more expensive and the preset angles will work best in most applications.

 

Loading

                  Loading presents several problems in steep roofing applications because extra steps must be taken not only to get materials up on the roof deck, but what to do with them after they’re loaded. First, only use an OSHA approved ladder with usually a minimum load requirement of 250 lbs. (Type 1-A). The ladder must be secured to the building via straps, clamps, ropes, etc. Within recent years several new products have been introduced to the roofing market that makes this procedure much easier and safer.

                  Staging materials on a steep roof application is usually impossible unless extra time and monies are spent to build special staging areas. Usually materials are hoisted up almost as they’re being installed. This eliminates roofing distributor conveyor or hoist loading options. Manually carrying stacks of shingles and other materials is labor intensive, hard, and time-consuming. This can be done much easier with a platform hoist. A heavy-duty ladder is placed at the best loading position. A trolley platform rolls up and down the ladder via a gas engine or electric motor on a series of pulleys and steel cable. Depending on loading requirements a 200# or 400# maximum capacity hoist is available. Models in heights of 28’ and 44’ are used. The advantage of this equipment is it can haul rolls goods, shingles, plywood (optional), and anything else needed up on the roof to complete the job. The platform may be operated either from the ground or on the roof.

 

Other Requirements

                  Obviously, extreme care should be utilized during the actual installation of roofing materials to do it safely.

                  Other areas to pay attention to are:

•               Put caution tape or perimeter warning lines around the platform hoist.

•               Have adequate personal care items like gloves, water jugs, and eye protection available for workers.

•               Be familiar and compliant with all your local or state OSHA safety requirements to avoid citations and fines.

•               Most OSHA rules require a written safety plan for each job you perform. Always have it available for inspection.

                  Note: Roofing contractors should be aware of the quality of the equipment they purchase especially safety equipment. Always buy equipment made by a well-known and reputable manufacturer that carries product liability insurance and parts and service are available for those products.

                  Also, be sure to make some money on your project. Far too often roofing contractors fall into the trap of just bidding on a residential roof without imagination. They just look at it as a temporary job. Tear off the old, install the new whatever, and go collect your check. Be an entrepreneur that looks for opportunities. Ask yourself the following:

•               What extras can I quote to make more money on this job?

•               What can I do to make this job look first class so I can get referrals from this customer?

•               Can I offer the client an upgrade in materials?

•               Are there any accessory items I might offer my client to enhance this job?

•               Is the ventilation adequate?

•               Am I making enough profit on this job to pay my overhead, taxes, etc.?

•               Do I have all the tools and equipment necessary to do this job safely and efficiently?

                  Some suggested extras to offer clients can include whole attic fans, satellite dish mounting systems, offer a better grade of shingles, paint the metal flashings to match the roof color, offer a better grade of felt, offer ice shield products if not already included in your proposal, add ridge venting or roof vents to increase attic ventilation. •••