FACTS
- Falls through Fragile Surfaces: Materials such as fibre-cement sheets, roof lights, and corroded metal sheets may not support weight, leading to potential falls.
- Falls from Roof Edges: Inadequate edge protection increases the risk of workers falling from the perimeter of the roof.
- Falling Objects: Tools or materials can fall from roofs, posing dangers to individuals below.
- Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Older roofs may contain harmful substances like asbestos, which can be hazardous when disturbed.
- Structural Collapse: Deteriorated roof structures may collapse under weight or pressure.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet or debris-covered roofs can be slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.
STATS
- In 2023, the construction industry experienced 1,075 fatal injuries, with falls, slips, and trips accounting for 421 of these incidents (39.2%). This indicates that falls remain a leading cause of fatalities in construction, underscoring the risks associated with roofing work.
- Roofers have a fatal injury rate of 57.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, making roofing one of the most hazardous occupations in the U.S.
- Falls through fragile materials, such as roof lights and asbestos cement roofing sheets, account for a significant portion of deaths in the construction industry, with roof work accounting for a quarter of all deaths.
- Roofing is among the top three deadliest occupations in the U.S., with a fatal injury rate of 59.0 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021.
- Falls account for approximately 20% of all workplace injuries in Canada, representing the highest single category of lost-time incidents. Notably, 30% of these falls involve workers descending directly to a lower level, which includes falls from roofs.
- The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) reports that slips caused by wet or icy conditions are responsible for 20% of roofing-related injuries annually.