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.

Thanks AC dont let experience get you hurt it doesnt matter how many times you have walked a roof anyone can fall

Hey AC,

Where do you get the Rod Anchors that drop in the vent?

thanks Rob

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

PEERLESS wrote:

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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.

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 Good for you!

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.