Safety Specifications for Roof Installation Work

Work on roofs during dry conditions with little or no wind. Choose days when temperatures are mild, as working on shingles during high temperatures leaves them more susceptible to damage.

Access the roof with a sturdy extension ladder that reaches higher than the roof's edge for stability. Place the ladder on a flat, firm area so it doesn't rock or tip as you climb it.

Raise tools to the roof via a bucket tied to a rope. When you reach the top of the roof, lower the bucket so someone on the ground is able to place the equipment inside. This frees up your hands while you climb the ladder.

Attach roof brackets to the roof to provide a support plank that you are able to stand on or use as a brace if you start to slip. Slide the bracket end under a shingle and nail it in place, making sure that the nail goes into a truss or rafter in the roof. Install the brackets every four feet and place a 2-inch-by-6-inch board in the brackets as a support.

Attach an anchor to the peak of the roof as a securing point for a safety harness. Attach the anchor into a truss or rafter according to the directions of the specific anchor product you purchase. Attach the safety rope to the anchor and to the safety harness you are wearing.