How to stay safe on my roof?

[Eli]

I work high for a living. I climb all kinds of things. I do alot of roofs, but I'm used to them, and often wear no gear. Liability issues are making this change in every industry. I'm often bridging over open spans with a 40-75 foot drop and even in a harness, the sweat breaks out on my forehead for the first 3-5 minutes every time. I regard this reaction as healthy. I've never been hurt because I'm scared every time, and I channel this fear into caution while proceeding with work. I would advise you to proceed with caution, look into available safety equipment. Just to put it into perspective, my top of the line fall arrest harness and lanyard ONLY were about US$400. You'd also need a good climber's line and ascension tools.....another 200-300 minimum.
http://www.treeclimbing.com/content/blogcategory/39/82/

Depends a lot on how you are with height as well....
It is a lot easier to get somebody else to do it.

[Munga]

I have an old Queenslander two story with a very steep and slippery tin roof and when younger and gamer it was no problems to work on but as one gets older the nerves get a little worse so I installed a large ring bolt at the peak of the roof with a stainless steel cable permanently attached that I tie onto when I ever have to go up.
It's a good feeling leaning back working and knowing that you're securely tied on, I also use a good quality safety harness.
Arch

[wheelinround]

Hi Wookie if you have the access around the house you can hire a small cheerypicker http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/...ker_z70344.htm
or maybe on of these just for doing the gutters http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/...ift_z70434.htm

they can be towed behind a car or placed on a trailer and towed no idea of costs but a quick phone call would sort that out.

Ray

Having lived in a 2 storey place prior the wheelchair we had to get a contractor in to clean out the roof as birds nests had been infested with lice and other bitties, he came with just an extension ladder and no assistant twice he nearly fell he was at the apex of the roof not a thig tograb hold of no saftey equipment t all.
He leared out 2 large garbage bags of nest. This guy was a handy man through the estate agent he came back later to repair/replace a cracked tile he gained access through the roof removing tiles to do so to which he broke 3 more tiles and we suffered even more water damage or should I say the owner did.

I helped build a factory extention for the company i was working for at the time when younger about 18 yrs old
33 foot side walls sheeting the roof with gal roof sheets long as buggery. all we had on was overalls they went after the first lunch break shorts n tee's after that we were all sunburnt lobsters) sneakers and gloves no harness no scaffold to get down for lunch or finish we jsut used the gloves and slid down the farmes.

Then the years of clambering roofs of buses and coaches while spraying them nothing but scaffolding some times to stopp the fall generally just a ladder.

[Geebung]

Some frightening stories here...especially Dingo's (that must have been tough for all involved) ...it really does pay to have a good think about things before you go and do them...taking a few minutes to think about the outcomes of your actions really can save your life.

I recently had the exterior of my house painted...before painting one of the gables I asked the painter how he was going to do it...he said that he would just climb up and stand on the roof (we had an extension put in a while ago that juts out from the gable, you can access it by standing on the roof of the extension). I thought that a little dangerous as I had been up on the roof a few times and always used a harness and rope attached to a fence post...and even then I would slip and slide on the roof.

When it came time to paint the gables he asked me if I had any cordial...I said "no but if you are thirsty I have some mineral water"...he said he didn't want a drink, he wanted the cordial for his shoes. He wanted to coat the soles of his shoes with the cordial concentrate...sticks like glue he reckoned. I didn't have cordial but did find some concentrated apple juice...which turned out to be just as sticky.

I thought this to be a quirky but innovative tip. However, while the sticky shoes may stop you from sliding they won't stop you from tripping or stumbling and then plummeting to the ground below.

Always, ALWAYS, think of your safety first...your LIFE is ALWAYS worth more than quality safety gear or getting someone more qualified to do the job.

[wookiebreath]

Hi Wookie if you have the access around the house you can hire a small cheerypicker http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/...ker_z70344.htm
or maybe on of these just for doing the gutters http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/...ift_z70434.htm

Cherry Pickers appear to be $200 for 4 hours...
That man lifter thing might be the go though... its only $80 for 4 hours...