8 reasons Why You Need Metal Roof Fall Protection Anchors

Construction
Gust Hermiston
September 22, 2022
0

Metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, they also come with their own set of dangers. Without the proper fall protection anchors in place, metal roofs can be very dangerous for workers. In this blog post, we will go over 8 reasons why you need metal roof fall protection anchors. By the end of this post, you will know the importance of fall protection and how to keep your workers safe.

So, let’s get started!

1. Metal Roofs Have Low Traction:

Metal roofs can be very slippery when wet or dry due to their smooth surface composition. This makes them difficult to walk on without proper traction devices like grip tape or fall arrest anchors. Without these devices, your employees may slip and fall on their way up or down a ladder or scaffold, leading to serious injuries like broken bones or even death!

2. Metal Roofs are Slippery When Wet

Another reason why metal roofs are so dangerous is that they are slippery when wet. This is especially true if there’s been a lot of rain or snow recently. If your workers need to get onto the roof during inclement weather, they will need fall protection anchors in order to stay safe from slipping and falling off of the building.

3. Metal Roofs can be Deceptive

Metal roofs can also be deceptive because it doesn’t look like there’s anything for your employee to hold onto when walking across them. However, proper fall protection anchors will keep them from falling off of the building even if they do not see anything for them to hold onto!

4. Metal Roofs Are Not Designed For Traction:

Metal roofs are not designed for traction and do not hold up well to foot traffic on them. If a worker were to walk across a metal roof without the proper fall protection anchors in place, that worker could easily slip and fall off of the roof onto a lower level or ground below them. This is why it is important for all workers on a metal roof to wear proper fall protection equipment regardless of what kind of work they are doing on the said roof (repairing shingles, applying paint or cleaning gutters).

5. Metal Roofs Can Be Unsafe Without Fall Protection Anchors:

If you don’t properly anchor down your metal roof, your business could risk serious liability lawsuits. You see, an unsafe metal roof is a liability waiting to happen. If there is no fall protection in place and your worker falls off the roof, then there will be legal repercussions for you as an employer. This could include paying large sums of money in damages or even losing your business altogether!

6. Metal Roofs Can Be Slippery Even When Dry:

Metal roofs can be slippery even when they do not appear to be. This is due to the fact that metal roofs are made up of many small pieces of metal. These pieces of metal are typically coated with a substance called zinc. This coating makes them rust-resistant but also makes them slippery when wet.

This means that there is a higher risk of accidents occurring on metal roofs than on other types of roofs, such as asphalt shingles or clay tiles.

7. Metal Roofs Can Become Unsafe If They Are Not Properly Anchored Down:

Metal roofs typically weigh between 5 and 10 pounds per square foot, depending on what type of metal was used during construction and how much weight it can hold before it becomes unstable. This means that even a small gust of wind could cause your roof’s supports to fail under their own weight if it was not properly anchored down beforehand.

8. An Unsafe Metal Roof is a Liability Waiting To Happen:

When a worker falls from a metal roof, it can be extremely expensive for your company. Not only will you have to pay for medical bills but also any lost wages or income while they recover from their injuries or disability claims if they are unable to return to work after their accident. You may even face criminal charges if someone dies due to your negligence in properly securing them on the roof!