Mick and Pete worked for a commercial roofing contractor specializing in flat roofs. Last February they were sent to a 5 story building because the landlord indicated that there was a leak. That particular day there was a fresh coat of snow on the ground… and on the roof. They pinpointed the location of the leak, which was at the base of a roof-mounted air conditioning unit. They were able to access the roof easily through an interior roof hatch. Pete walked directly from the roof hatch to the air conditioning unit and began to clear the snow away from the suspected source of the leak. Just a few minutes later Mick followed Pete’s footsteps in the snow and walked over to where he was working. However Mick slipped and fell. Unknown to Mick and Pete, there was a skylight hidden by the snow; and when Mick fell he landed on the skylight. Fortunately, Mick was able to catch himself and not fall through the light. However he did receive a fairly significant cut from the broken skylight. Mick was lucky. Most roofers who break through skylights are seriously injured or killed. Hopefully, he and Pete learned some things that day that will prevent something similar from happening in the future.
DISCUSSION NOTES:
What could the two guys in this scenario have done differently to avoid this incident?
Ice and roofing do not mix. What are your company’s policies about employees on icy and snow covered roofs?
What changes do you need to make to be able to work under these conditions?
Does your jobsite have uncovered skylights?
If the jobsite you are working on now has covered skylights, are the coverings able to support 500 pounds? Are they marked?
Is some sort of fall protection used on your roofing jobsite at all times, to include performing small repairs?
