Safety is in the Small Things
Why Details Matter as Much as the Big Risks
by Stephen Zasadil, WSRCA Safety Consultant, President, SNK Services LLC
(Editor’s Note: Stephen Zasadil spent ten years as a safety of flight operator with the United States Navy before beginning his career as a safety compliance consultant in 2009. He currently works with companies across the United States to provide OSHA compliance information, documentation, and training.)
When we talk about safety in roofing, the conversations often circle around the big ticket items such as falls from height, ladder use, tie-off points, and the ever-present need for proper PPE. For good reason: falls remain the leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities in the roofing industry. It’s natural that our focus goes to what can cause catastrophic harm. In doing so, we sometimes overlook the small things, the everyday habits, body mechanics, and environmental factors that, if ignored, can lead to just as much downtime, pain, or lost productivity as a fall.
As winter approaches, it’s worth pausing to recalibrate our perspective. The goal of every safety program is zero injuries. That doesn’t mean just avoiding the worst, it means avoiding all injuries. Every sprain, strain, or slip is one more step away from that goal.
When the Weather Shifts, so Should Our Focus
In the summer, our energy naturally turns toward heat illness prevention. We ensure our teams have shade, water, and rest breaks. Supervisors are trained to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion, and hydration becomes a talking point on every tailgate. Then, as the temperature drops, so does our emphasis on those items.
However, cold weather brings its own hazards. The number one culprit during winter months isn’t necessarily frostbite or hypothermia, it’s slips, trips, and falls at ground level. Rooftops, scaffolds, and access ladders collect frost, moisture, or even a thin film of ice. The soles of boots stiffen in the cold. Debris that was easy to spot in daylight becomes a hidden trap when daylight fades early.
A minor slip can easily turn into a serious back or shoulder injury, and those injuries linger. So as we transition to winter, we must pivot our awareness from the sun above to the ground beneath.
Footing: the Foundation of Safe Movement
Footwear isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most overlooked tools in our safety arsenal. Roofers often wear their boots well past their service life out of comfort, superstition, or the desire to save a few bucks, but worn tread and hardened rubber are invitations to a fall.
Supervisors should make boot checks part of their regular safety walk-throughs, just like inspecting harnesses or anchors. Workers should understand that replacing worn footwear is as important as replacing a frayed lanyard. If your boot can’t grip a ladder rung or a roof surface, it’s not doing its job. Consider traction aids when conditions call for it, especially on metal decking, wet tile, or icy flat roofs. Anti-slip overshoes, though sometimes seen as cumbersome, can make the difference between stable footing and an emergency room visit.
The Forgotten Discipline: Stretching
Stretching is often dismissed as something athletes do before a workout, but roofing is an athletic job. Every day, roofers climb, lift, twist, kneel, and reach. Those repetitive motions and awkward postures take a toll on the body, especially when it’s cold and muscles are less flexible.
Cold mornings on the job site are the perfect time to integrate a five-minute stretch routine. Focus on the areas that take the most strain: shoulders, lower back, hamstrings, and forearms. Group stretching isn’t just about fitness; it’s a simple, no-cost team activity that builds camaraderie and reinforces the idea that we start the day with safety first.
Think of stretching as preventive maintenance for your workforce. We grease and calibrate our equipment before every use, why not our bodies? A pulled muscle might not make OSHA’s recordable list, but it can sideline a skilled worker for weeks and slow down an entire crew.
Hands: the Tools We Rely On Most
While slips and falls dominate safety talks, hand injuries are still one of the most common recordables in roofing and construction. Cuts, crushes, pinches, and strains happen when we let our guard down or rush simple tasks.
In cold weather, dexterity decreases. Workers may remove gloves for better grip or to handle small fasteners, unknowingly exposing themselves to frostbite or lacerations. Invest in quality gloves designed for cold-weather dexterity with materials that combine grip, flexibility, and insulation.
Beyond protection, training plays a role. Reinforce proper lifting techniques and the importance of hand placement when guiding materials, adjusting equipment, or using hand tools. Encourage the use of mechanical aids whenever possible. Every hand injury prevented is one less life affected, one less worker unable to pick up their child or enjoy a weekend hobby.
Culture: the Common Thread
The most effective safety programs aren’t built on reaction, they’re built on culture. A culture of safety recognizes that small habits add up. If a crew takes the time to stretch, checks its boots, and walks carefully to the work area, that same crew is more likely to stay tied off, check harnesses, and follow lockout procedures.
As leaders, our role is to make it easy to care about the little things. Talk about them. Celebrate when someone points out a slip hazard or replaces a worn glove. These seemingly minor conversations create the foundation for broader awareness.
Balancing the Big Picture with the Fine Print
Yes, we should always prioritize the big hazards: falls, electrocution, struck-by incidents, and heat illness. They are catastrophic and demand constant attention. But small injuries are more frequent, and their cumulative impact is enormous. Every slip, strain, or sprain drains resources, morale, and productivity.
As the saying goes, “take care of the ounces, and the pounds will take care of themselves.” In safety terms, that means if we prevent the small things, we naturally reduce the risk of the big ones. Because in roofing, safety isn’t just about preventing the big fall. It’s about caring enough to notice the small things that keep everyone standing tall.
