Is roofing a dangerous job?

Ask most roofers what worries them and the answer is the same: gravity. A pitched roof is slippery when wet, mossy when old and steep when you are tired. Add loose tiles, a gust of wind or a moment of distraction, and a fall becomes possible from a height that would be survivable on the ground but not from the eaves of a two-storey house.

Height is the main hazard but not the only one. Roofers lift heavy materials, from bundles of slate to rolls of lead and sheets of board. They work with hot-air tools, gas torches and sharp tools, and sometimes beside overhead cables, which is one reason a survey of the surroundings comes before any ladder goes up. Dust, noise and sun exposure add to the strain on the body.

Old roofs bring their own risks. Fragile surfaces such as rooflights, brittle sheets and rotten boards can give way without warning. Pre-2000 buildings may contain asbestos materials, which is why careful, trained handling matters on older garages and soffits.

In Great Britain the principle is clear: avoid work at height where you can, and where you cannot, plan it, supervise it and use competent people. The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance on this. The approach follows an order of preference, starting with the safest practical method rather than the quickest.

In practice, that means collective protection comes first. A scaffold with a proper working platform, guard rails and toe boards protects everyone on it without anyone having to clip on. Edge protection around a roof perimeter does a similar job. Personal protection, such as harnesses and lanyards, comes after, where collective measures are not practical, and it needs training and a secure anchor point to be of any use.

Ladders are for short, light tasks and for access. A roofer who works from a ladder all day is cutting a corner. Training matters at every level, from knowing how to inspect equipment to knowing what to do in a rescue.

As a homeowner you are not expected to run the site, but you can spot good practice. A well-run job looks organised from the pavement.

• A scaffold that is complete, with boards, rails and a ladder that goes beyond the top platform.
• Edge protection or a safe system around any low or flat roof edge.
• Materials stored neatly and lifted by hoist or rope, not thrown.
• A cordoned-off area below, so nobody walks under the work.
• Workers wearing sturdy footwear, gloves and hard hats where there is a risk of falling objects.

If you see people working at the roof edge with nothing but a ladder, or without any protection at all, say so. A reasonable firm will explain the arrangements. Scaffold can cost real money, as our other pages note, and that cost reflects a safer job.

Neighbours matter too. Debris, dust and noise should be managed, and passers-by protected. Our page on roof planning permission is a good reminder that a roof job touches many people.

The urge to nip up a ladder and fix one tile is understandable, and it is how many avoidable accidents begin. A roof you know from the ground is a different place when you stand on it. You may not see the soft patch, the loose slate or the fragile sheet until you have put your weight on it.

Ladders slip, tiles shift and the person holding the base cannot catch you. If something looks wrong from inside the loft or from the garden, take photographs with a zoom lens and call a roofer. Never walk on a roof you do not know to be sound, and never go up in wet, frosty or windy weather.

The same applies to gutters, chimneys and conservatories. Our page on checking your roof before selling covers what you can usefully do from the ground, which is quite a lot, without stepping off it.

For anyone thinking about the trade, the risks are not a reason to stay away, but they are a reason to join a firm that takes them seriously. Training, supervised experience and respect for the rules are what keep people safe over a working life. Ask a prospective employer how they plan work at height, what training they provide and what equipment they supply.

Roofing also offers a lot: you work outdoors, see the result of your work at the end of every day and learn skills in slate, tile, lead and flat roofing that take years to master. People who love it often say that the view is a bonus. Wear sensible boots, look after your back and never hurry.

If you are interested in the trade, read the rest of our site, and the page about our roofing video. For a lighter local read, there is also a round-up of barbers in Swindon, with an eye on the buildings.

We plan access before we plan the roof. Depending on the building that might be a scaffold, a tower or a mobile platform, and the quote says which. We keep the site tidy, protect the ground below and take the waste away at the end.

To have a roof looked at, contact Skyline Swindon Roofing. After the survey you receive the price on paper with pictures of your roof, and a small fix is what we suggest when it solves the fault. Our work is covered by a 10-year workmanship guarantee in writing. Phone, WhatsApp and the website form all work.