Safety Tips Shoveling Snow Off The Roof

From a couple of roofers i was taught about the safety of shoveling off snow from the roof.

Safety tips shoveling snow off the roof.

Leaks roof collapse ice damming and more can result from too much snow and ice staying too long on your roof. This condition can introduce carbon monoxide a colorless odorless poisonous gas in the building. But if you do have to get the snow off the roof here are some tips from fema for removing snow safely and effectively. National safety council recommends the following tips to shovel safely.

My neighbor has a low pitched 4 12 roof that is steel. Remember to avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. To that end here are 8 tips on how to safely handle the rooftop snow removal process. Clearing the snow off your roof from the gutters or eaves upwards of three to four feet after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming.

It seems like the roofers that taught me sure knew about this from their height safety class as well as from personal experience. Shoveling snow off your roof. The threat of costly repairs and significant safety hazards will sometimes require removing excess snow from your roof. Deep snow on a roof can bury a gas appliance flue causing the exhaust to enter the home.

The risk of damaging the roof. Melting the snow in lieu of removal may cause localized overloading of the roof. This morning it was all on the ground. This can be extremely dangerous and is best left to professionals.

Shovel only fresh powdery snow. Safe roof snow removal can be achieved only if you combine thorough preparation with trained workers proper protection well maintained equipment and a healthy respect for the outdoor elements. Based on the findings of osha investigations falls cause the most worker fatalities and injuries during rooftop snow removal. Excess snow on the roof can weaken and potentially collapse a structure particularly an older building with a shallow pitched roof.

Do not shovel after eating or while smoking. Check with a structural engineer before using water or a heating device to melt the snow. Take it slow and stretch out before you begin. Probably 12 inches in thickness when it was up there.

That s why i prefer to have my father or even a professional come over to my roof and shovel away the snow. We are in a little warm spell here after all the snow the last 10 days. What s the final word. Workers performing snow removal operations are exposed to many serious hazards.

Last night i noticed about an 18 inch overhang of snow ice mix. Workers may also be injured or killed by a roof. Don t use mechanical snow removal equipment. If you do lift it use a small shovel or only.

There are potential dangers of shoveling or raking snow from a roof besides the collapse danger. Roofs that are flat also have a maximum snow load they can carry. Push the snow rather than lifting it.