A roofer has the task of applying a protective layer against snow, water, and wind on your flat or sloping roof. There are various roof coverings that a roofer can lay, such as bitumen and roof tiles. There are roofers who specialize in a particular roof covering or type of roof, but you also have the so-called all-round roofers who can lay everything. Circumstances may arise when a roofer is not allowed to perform his work. This article will be about this.
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Is a roofer allowed to work alone?
Often the work of a roofer involves a lone worker. This means that only one roofer will be present to carry out the necessary work. Since this involves risks, it is advisable to limit this as much as possible. There are strict rules attached to this. He may not perform day work alone. Only short-term maintenance work may only be performed. In addition, the roofer in question must be trained and in particular in working with individual fall protection systems. The roofer must also have an alarm card, first aid kit, and fire extinguishers. He must also have access to a mobile phone so that he can make calls in the event of an emergency.
Extremely high temperatures
The employers of the roofers must ensure that employees do not suffer damage to their health when working at too high a temperature in the workplace. This has been established in the Working Conditions Act of 2007. An absolute temperature limit is not indicated here, but around forty degrees there are real health hazards for staff, such as heat stroke, heat rash, and heat cramps. The heat also reduces the ability to concentrate, which can lead to errors in the work that jeopardizes the safety of the roofer.
The solution to heat
The consequences of extreme heat can be prevented by longer breaks or cooling vests, which cool approximately six degrees, for the roofer. It also happens that the work takes place according to a tropical schedule. Think of work until noon. Work can also be stopped completely, but this is not an option for many roofers. If there is no shelter or wind at all, the work will be postponed. However, the employers often provide sufficient shade. However, employers refuse to agree clearly at what temperature limit work will be stopped. However, the collective labor agreement of the roofers is clear: at 40 degrees or more, the heat loss starts.
Low temperatures are also dangerous
Roofers can also lay down their work at low temperatures. Due to the cold, the blood supply to the limbs cannot flow properly, so that work cannot be carried out. Employers do provide special winter work clothes, but there is still a risk of freezing hands and feet. Frost and strong wind also create an extra danger, because the chance of a fall increases. The frost delay starts at temperatures below -6 degrees Celsius. You can prevent this by shielding the workplace or by installing heat guns.
Apply for roof protection
Since roofers are exposed to many risks when they go on the roof, effective measures must be taken by the employer with regard to roof protection. Employers are legally obliged to limit the dangers of their roofers as much as possible. Self-employed roofers must also take measures for themselves to prevent the risk of falling. The owner of the building, be it a house or a business premises, must also cooperate to increase roof safety, otherwise, a roofer may refuse to come. A lawsuit can also be brought against the owner if it appears that the roof safety was not sufficient during the work of the roofer.
Fall protection present
When a situation arises in which the roof protection is missing or inadequate, personal fall protection must be used. You speak of fall protection when the roofer is connected with a safety belt and lanyard to an anchor point in the roof. You can use area boundaries, where the line is too short to fall off the roof, or a fall arrest, where you are stopped by a damper during a fall. If activities take place further from four meters from the roof edge, fall protection is not necessary. However, during long-term work or frequent work on a roof, fall protection is not sufficient. In this case, collective roof protection must be chosen.
Roofers during the Corona crisis
Despite the Corona crisis, roofing companies continue their activities as usual, but in accordance with the measures drawn up by the RIVM. Roofers will postpone work if someone in your household has a cold. The roofers go up on the roof without having contact with you as a customer. When contact must take place, it is without shaking hands and at a distance of five feet.
