Make Sure Roofers Have Working at Heights Training Before Signing a Contract
There are likely more than a few Toronto-area homeowners who could tell a story or two about injuries they sustained while tending to some type of property maintenance; from minor cuts to major sprains, the circumstances behind these accidents were undoubtedly varied and the situations in which they were hurt probably seemed innocent at the time.
In some of these instances, there is a likelihood that the injuries occurred subsequent to a slip or fall from a ladder or chair. And while the height of the fall might have been just a couple of feet, the consequences could have been significantly steeper, so to speak. It is no secret that many people are simply not comfortable when they are off solid ground; this apprehension, coupled with limited experience climbing and descending ladders, can be, with minimal exaggeration, a formula for disaster.
So imagine the compound degrees of complexity and peril when one adds the height and slope of a residential roof to the mix; in essence, the safety risks to the homeowner may simply be too great. Now that a feeling of queasiness is firmly established in the pit of the reader’s stomach, it reinforces why a vast majority of homeowners should call upon trained professionals for their roof repair and replacement needs.
And in this case, the term ‘trained professionals’ does not refer to any roofers but more precisely to roofing contractors whose crews have completed approved training courses and received their certifications for working at heights. By definition, working at heights refers to working in any place where there is risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury; furthermore, formal training is required for workers/roofers who use any of the following methods of fall protection while on the job:
- Work belts
- Safety belts
- Safety netting
- Fall arrest systems
- Fall restricting systems
- Travel restraint systems
From the perspective of a roofing company, the reasons for ensuring that their crews are adequately trained and certified for working at heights are clear; the liabilities associated with worker injuries can be devastating, and ancillary property damage can be financially burdensome. But these circumstances may also impact/adversely affect the homeowner and their family; personal injury, property loss, and legal actions/costs can be physically, financially, and emotionally stressful, so it would be in the homeowner’s best interests to ensure that any workers/roofers on their property are safe and protected at all times.
How? By asking the roofing contractor three simple questions before signing a contract:
- Have all workers assigned to the project completed their working at heights training?
- How does the roofing contractor plan to keep their workers safe on site i.e. methods?
- Will there be a trained and certified supervisor on site at all times during the project?
The importance of safeguarding the roofing contractor, their crews, and the homeowner cannot be overstated when it comes to working at heights; the risks and intangible costs of using/hiring non-certified roofers are simply too great in contrast to the time and cost invested in working at heights training sessions.
Working at Heights Just One Element of Comprehensive Roofing Safety Training
While it is now law that all roofers complete working at heights training in Ontario, this is not an excuse, so to speak, for Avenue Road Roofing in Toronto to ensure that their staff are fully trained to deliver the company’s wide range of services. Avenue Road Roofing considers proper training to be essential in providing the quality of work that customers expect and the level of professional service they deserve.
With safety maintains a position of paramount priority, the team at Avenue Road Roofing undergoes comprehensive training, overseen by an in-house health and safety manager; some of the components of this curriculum include:
- Ladder safety
- Working at heights
- Confined space training
- Propane handling certification
- Workplace hazardous materials
- Hydro line and electrical hazards
- Workplace safety/health and safety
- St. John’s Ambulance/first aid training
This commitment to hiring top talent and implementing ongoing training and certification programs ensures that homeowners will receive high-quality workmanship for all of their roofing needs, performed with the utmost safety as well.
To learn more about the emphasis placed on training, safety, and certification by Avenue Road Roofing, and how these practices can benefit Toronto area homeowners, please check our roofing Training, Safety & Certification page.
Ensure that you receive the highest quality workmanship for all your roofing needs, done by crews fully trained and certified for working at heights. Call Avenue Road Roofing at 416-785-5129 today or contact us for more information about our extensive range of training and certification relative to our roofing services.
