Have you ever had a job where you worked outside the whole day? Being a roofer is such a job. Roofing is seasonal, and much of the work takes place in the summer season. Here in the Chicagoland area, the average temperature in the summer months, as recorded at O’Hare airport in 2023, was 73 degrees. When we get hotter than that, it’s easy to escape into the indoor, crisp air conditioning to cool down….unless you’re a roofer.
Roofers spend their days outside, working atop residential and commercial roofs, 20-30 feet off the ground and positioned even closer to the sweltering sun. They typically work in direct sunlight since few roofs are completely covered by shade trees. The nature of their job is already precarious with a risk of falls, but when you add the element of excessive summer heat, such as temperatures above ninety degrees, roofer safety in hot weather becomes an issue.
Heat and Roofer Safety in Hot Weather
The Center for Construction Research and Training issued a report on heat-related deaths among construction workers in the United States. The study found that although construction workers comprise 6% of the workforce they accounted for 36% of heat-related deaths. Roofers were seven times more likely to die from heat-related illness than the average construction worker.
Heat-related illnesses occur when a person’s core body temperature is unable to regulate itself. Typically, this happens through an increase in heart rate and sweating, but if our internal temperature gets too high, our body can produce a runaway inflammatory response. Excessive heat does more than just irritate the human body; It can be fatal!
Blistering weather can cause serious injury or death. This is a truth not only for roofer safety in hot weather, but for all outdoor workers. In 2024, A West Virginia lineman named Justin Cory Foster was in Marshall, Texas, helping the storm-ridden community restore their power when he fell victim to heat stroke. After a long day outside working in temperatures with a heat index of 113 degrees, he told his co-workers he felt sick and returned to his motel to take a cold shower. He had a headache, his legs hurt, and he was vomiting. That night, he told his fiancée, Amanda, that he had “gotten too hot” that day, but Amanda was used to seeing Cory return from work flushed and hot from working outside and had no understanding of the damage that had been done to Cory’s body. When Cory’s roommate returned that night, he found Cory on the floor, unresponsive. EMTs were unable to revive him.
Cory’s fate is sobering considering he was someone accustomed to working long hours in the summer heat. His death called attention to roofer safety in hot weather, the increasing summer temperatures across the nation explained by global warming. and the devastating results of a dangerous heat index. It is also a warning for all outdoor workers to be vigilant for symptoms of heat-related illnesses throughout their day and to take them seriously.
Heat Index for Roofer Safety in Hot Weather
Everyone wants their roofing job done as quickly as possible, but the roofer’s safety must be taken into account when heat indexes begin to climb.
The heat index is calculated using temperature and humidity and represents what the temperature feels like to the body. When humidity is high, we do not sweat efficiently to cool our bodies, so we feel warmer. In decreased humidity, we sweat more and feel cooler. This explains why we can feel more comfortable in “dry heat” than in tropical areas. The heat index rises or falls depending on the relationship between the relative humidity and temperature.
HEAT INDEX CHART
Source: The National Weather Service
The heat index is responsible for raising our core body temperature, potentially into dangerous territory. As you can see, even very humid days at 80-degrees can bring on heat-related illnesses. When temperatures stretch into the nineties, extreme caution is always recommended for prolonged exposure or strenuous activity, regardless of the humidity.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA have a heat safety tool app that can be used as a resource to plan outdoor work. It includes an immediate calculation of the heat index as well as forecasts throughout the day. It also features a section that provides descriptions of symptoms and information on first aid, as well as guidance on when to seek medical attention. This important tool can help roofers gauge the safety of working on a roof during the summer months.
Heat-Related Illnesses and Roofer Safety in Hot Weather
Anyone working outside in sweltering weather for extended periods can be susceptible to heat-related illnesses. However, roofers are elevated, which poses another threat to roofer safety. Higher heat indexes can elevate the core body temperature and trigger heat-related symptoms with dangerous consequences for roofer safety in hot weather.
There are many ways heat can debilitate us, but the most serious way is heat stroke.
Heat Stroke is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. Heat stroke victims can no longer dissipate heat or regulate their core body temperature. Sweating fails, and the body simply cannot cool down. Internal temperature can rise to 106 degrees within minutes. Heat stroke can cause terrible symptoms that are amplified by the danger of working on a rooftop.
- Confusion
- Impaired thinking, perception, and planning
- Inability to recognize dangerous situations
- Clumsiness
- Fainting/unconsciousness
- Seizures
A roofer experiencing any of these symptoms of heat stroke may be susceptible to a misstep that could cost him his life.
Heat Exhaustion is a related illness where the core body temperature is not as high as it is with heat stroke, but it still makes the victim feel quite sick. Again, these symptoms should be treated immediately for roofer safety in hot weather. Inaction can lead to serious consequences. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Irritability
- Decreased urine output
Other heat-related illnesses that OSHA has identified for outdoor workers include:
- Heat Cramps
- Heat Rash
- Rhabdomyolysis ( a medical condition from prolonged heat stress that can lead to kidney damage, seizures, irregular heart rhythms, and death)
We Prioritize Roofer Safety in Hot Weather
Roofing contractors, including Pro-Home Services, take extra precautions and implement specific procedures to ensure their roofing teams work carefully when the heat index is high. Roofing requires physical exertion, and air temperature, humidity, sunlight, and air movement all contribute to the environment that can compromise roofer safety in hot weather. Personal risk factors such as pre-existing health conditions and obesity play a role in determining how well someone can tolerate working in the heat.
It is natural for homeowners to want their roofing job done as quickly as possible. However, the scheduling and productivity of a roofing crew must change when the weather conditions become life-threatening. It is the responsibility of the roofing contractor to train and educate their installation team about the dangers of working in hot weather. Roofing jobs are usually completed in consecutive days, so when the heat index remains oppressive for days in a row, roofer safety becomes an issue.
Heat Illness Prevention for Roofer Safety in Hot Weather
OSHA summarizes its recommendations for roofer safety in hot weather in three words: Water, Rest, and Shade. However, there are also other specific recommendations to keep outdoor workers safe, such as:
Acclimating Workers. Roofers who are not accustomed to working in high-heat environments may need to acclimate to the job site. This means gradually increasing workloads, taking more breaks, consuming more liquids, being mindful of symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and potentially working shorter shifts until the body becomes accustomed to the conditions. Acclimation is recommended for both new employees and seasoned workers who have been on vacation and are returning to strenuous conditions.
Flexible Job Scheduling. Heat indexes are typically highest in the middle of the day. Starting earlier on the job and staying later, when the sun fades, can help a roofing crew stay on schedule safely. On some occasions where the heat index is threatening even in the morning hours, it may be necessary to reschedule the job altogether. Although roofers never like to disappoint homeowners or prolong a job, sometimes adjusting the work schedule is the only option to address roofer safety in hot weather.
Work/Rest Cycles. Some roofing crews may take shifts or alternate work in areas where heat stress is likely. A roofing crew is a team, and the goal is not only a job well done on your roof but for everyone to come home safely at the end of the day!
Appropriate Hydration. Water is essential for workers, and even more so in scorching conditions. At least one quart of water per hour is recommended during worksite outdoor heat exposure.
Breaks in Cool Areas. For roofer safety in hot weather, breaks should be taken in a shady outdoor area or an air-conditioned vehicle.
Understand Heat Illnesses and Be Aware of Symptoms. Roofing contractors should train their teams on how to prevent heat illnesses. Anyone getting up on a roof on a hot day should be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses. They should be able to monitor themselves for symptoms and know when to seek first aid or prompt medical attention. Also, any roofer taking medication should understand how they affect their heat tolerance.
PPE. PPE such as harnesses, hats, and gloves are essential. However, PPE can be easily adapted to for roofer safety in hot weather. Here are some suggestions.
Summer is a wonderful and productive time for many homeowners to improve their exteriors and also for roofers who seize the opportunity to help. However, the dangers of overexposure to heat may necessitate adjustments to schedules and work conditions. Nobody likes cancellations or delays in their home improvement projects, but better to delay a project than compromise roofer safety in hot weather and suffer a serious accident.
There’s still time to schedule a free estimate for a roofing job this summer! If we can help, contact us today at 630.790.0800