For Immediate Release - Roof Cleaning Contractors Using Safety Equipment
AC Lockyer said
May 14, 2011
Lets open up a discussion about roof cleaning contractors using fall protection equipment. Greg a roof cleaning brother, reciently fell nearly 30 feet from a Church roof he was cleaning. He was very lucky and limited his roof cleaning injurys to a broken arm and wrist. It could have been alot worse.
Back when we sold Mallard Systems Roof Cleaning to David Baiegent he did not enforce proper safety protocols while roof cleaning and one of his men fell off a three story roof. That employee broke his back and both of his legs due to that roof cleaning injury. Though they were able to fuse his back together he got infections in his legs and lost one at the knee and the other ones ankle.
There has been horror stories over the years where roof cleaning was done by homeowners. In Tampa, FL a High School Principal tried to clean his own roof, fell off and broke his neck. That lead to his death.
Pete the owner of Sunbrite supply also fell off a while roof cleaning and now has a life long injury.
What is it going to take to stop this madness of people falling off roofs while roof cleaning?
AC
-- Edited by AC Lockyer on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 05:42:37 PM
For the low expense and ease of using a harness, its foolish to not wear one. It takes 2 minutes to put it on and requires no effort to use!! The first day I used a harness I slipped for the very first time and a 8-10/12 roof (not sure of the pitch but it was steep). Saved me from falling 20 feet down the roof and another 10 to the ground.
It is an immediately terminable offense if I catch my guess without a harness.
AC Lockyer said
May 14, 2011
Scott Davis wrote:
For the low expense and ease of using a harness, its foolish to not wear one. It takes 2 minutes to put it on and requires no effort to use!! The first day I used a harness I slipped for the very first time and a 8-10/12 roof (not sure of the pitch but it was steep). Saved me from falling 20 feet down the roof and another 10 to the ground.
It is an immediately terminable offense if I catch my guess without a harness.
Cudos Scott!
Greg Nash said
May 17, 2011
Thanks AC dont let experience get you hurt it doesnt matter how many times you have walked a roof anyone can fall
Doug Rucker said
May 17, 2011
AC can you post where,what, how, to get the harnesses, repirators, etc that you recommned. This would help a lot of guys.
Carey Cleaning said
May 17, 2011
Hey AC,
Where do you get the Rod Anchors that drop in the vent?
thanks Rob
western pa roof cleaning said
Jun 22, 2011
To get to the top of a very steep roof, we employ a level-rite ladder anchor that we roll right up to the peak and flip over to lock. http://www.levelrite.net
If the roof is 2 story and / or steep, we use a hinged roof anchor. We screw our roof anchors directly into the roof through the shingle with 8 to 10 long screws. These anchors are hinged roofing anchors with a large o-ring at the hinge.
We then use a full body harness to fully protect our guys with a 25', 30' or 50' rope, whatever is needed.
Boots - The best that we've found are Cougar Paws: http://www.cougarpaws.com/. Worth their weight in gold! Removeable, easy to replace soles, great support. (I read on the other forum somebody wearing flip-flops or sandals to clean a roof - unimaginable!)
Clothing - Full body paper suit (breathable). Paper surgical mask. Full face protection. Latex disposable gloves.
Hope that helps someone!
Rob Deemer
Western PA Roof Cleaning
724.486.2161
AC Lockyer said
Jun 23, 2011
Doug,
The disposable respirator we use is the 3M 8576, see pic below. This looks much like a dust respirator but is charcoal lined and has a one way valve on the front.
What makes these kind of disposable respirators so important is that you dont have to have a full blown OSHA respirator program. Those are ridiculous! Here are some of the burdens a full blown OSHA respirator program places on you and your company.
1. Each employee must undergo a physical (company paid) before the employee and enter the work force. 2. Employees must be trained on how to use the respirator. 3. Employees must undergo a fit test to make sure the respirator fits and seals. 4. Employees must not have ANY facial hair. 5. Respirators are to be signed out to employees and meet OSHA respirator standards. 6. Employer must have a sterilization cabinet for the respirators. 7. Employees must have regular psychicals to insure respiratory health. (company paid) 8. and the list goes on........
Using disposable respirators you don't have to do any of the above. Here are the steps for a disposable respirator program. (short version)
1. Each employee is assigned a disposable neusence (sp) gas respirator. 2. They are placed in a zip lock plastic bag with their name written on the bag. 3. Each employee is trained in the use of the respirator. 4. Employee signs a sheet confirming they have received the respirator. 5. New respirators are given out as needed.
I have been cleaning roofs for 10 years and have fallen. Every single employee that I have had has fallen.
My wife and I are really spending a lot of time lately with our company and one of the major things she go's on and on about is about using a harness.
We are going to switch over to 100% use of PPE on roofs we walk very soon.
AC Lockyer said
Jun 23, 2011
PEERLESS wrote:
I have been cleaning roofs for 10 years and have fallen. Every single employee that I have had has fallen.
My wife and I are really spending a lot of time lately with our company and one of the major things she go's on and on about is about using a harness.
We are going to switch over to 100% use of PPE on roofs we walk very soon.
Good for you!
Chris Francis said
Jul 5, 2011
AC were do you get those disposable respirators and what size do the suits come in.
Rodney Henke said
Jul 7, 2011
I'm guilty of not wearing any safety gear. The only ppe I wear is a pair of cougar paws. They have a sponge sole and stick like glue up to a 9/12 pitch. Any roof steeper than that and I use safe valley access. The difference between me and other roof cleaners is that I'm a roofing consultant. I am on up to six roofs a day meeting with home owners contractors and insurance adjusters. My excuse is it would take too much time to gear up before every roof. I do however wear my cougar paws.
AC Lockyer said
Jul 8, 2011
Chris,
I have listed the model number Before but those are made by 3M. The uniforms are dickies. They come in all sizes.
Lets open up a discussion about roof cleaning contractors using fall protection equipment. Greg a roof cleaning brother, reciently fell nearly 30 feet from a Church roof he was cleaning. He was very lucky and limited his roof cleaning injurys to a broken arm and wrist. It could have been alot worse.
Back when we sold Mallard Systems Roof Cleaning to David Baiegent he did not enforce proper safety protocols while roof cleaning and one of his men fell off a three story roof. That employee broke his back and both of his legs due to that roof cleaning injury. Though they were able to fuse his back together he got infections in his legs and lost one at the knee and the other ones ankle.
There has been horror stories over the years where roof cleaning was done by homeowners. In Tampa, FL a High School Principal tried to clean his own roof, fell off and broke his neck. That lead to his death.
Pete the owner of Sunbrite supply also fell off a while roof cleaning and now has a life long injury.
What is it going to take to stop this madness of people falling off roofs while roof cleaning?
AC
-- Edited by AC Lockyer on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 05:42:37 PM
It is an immediately terminable offense if I catch my guess without a harness.
Cudos Scott!
Where do you get the Rod Anchors that drop in the vent?
thanks Rob
To get to the top of a very steep roof, we employ a level-rite ladder anchor that we roll right up to the peak and flip over to lock. http://www.levelrite.net
If the roof is 2 story and / or steep, we use a hinged roof anchor. We screw our roof anchors directly into the roof through the shingle with 8 to 10 long screws. These anchors are hinged roofing anchors with a large o-ring at the hinge.
We then use a full body harness to fully protect our guys with a 25', 30' or 50' rope, whatever is needed.
Boots - The best that we've found are Cougar Paws: http://www.cougarpaws.com/. Worth their weight in gold! Removeable, easy to replace soles, great support. (I read on the other forum somebody wearing flip-flops or sandals to clean a roof - unimaginable!)
Clothing - Full body paper suit (breathable). Paper surgical mask. Full face protection. Latex disposable gloves.
Hope that helps someone!
Rob Deemer
Western PA Roof Cleaning
724.486.2161
Doug,
The disposable respirator we use is the 3M 8576, see pic below. This looks much like a dust respirator but is charcoal lined and has a one way valve on the front.
What makes these kind of disposable respirators so important is that you dont have to have a full blown OSHA respirator program. Those are ridiculous! Here are some of the burdens a full blown OSHA respirator program places on you and your company.
1. Each employee must undergo a physical (company paid) before the employee and enter the work force.
2. Employees must be trained on how to use the respirator.
3. Employees must undergo a fit test to make sure the respirator fits and seals.
4. Employees must not have ANY facial hair.
5. Respirators are to be signed out to employees and meet OSHA respirator standards.
6. Employer must have a sterilization cabinet for the respirators.
7. Employees must have regular psychicals to insure respiratory health. (company paid)
8. and the list goes on........
Using disposable respirators you don't have to do any of the above. Here are the steps for a disposable respirator program. (short version)
1. Each employee is assigned a disposable neusence (sp) gas respirator.
2. They are placed in a zip lock plastic bag with their name written on the bag.
3. Each employee is trained in the use of the respirator.
4. Employee signs a sheet confirming they have received the respirator.
5. New respirators are given out as needed.
Hope this helps.
AC
I have been cleaning roofs for 10 years and have fallen. Every single employee that I have had has fallen.
My wife and I are really spending a lot of time lately with our company and one of the major things she go's on and on about is about using a harness.
We are going to switch over to 100% use of PPE on roofs we walk very soon.
Good for you!
I have listed the model number Before but those are made by 3M. The uniforms are dickies. They come in all sizes.