Metal safety | EssentialsHarry Dietz
Two primary hazards come to mind concerning metal roof system
applications or metalwork complementing a roof system—cuts
and falls. Avoiding sharp objects may be aided by recent advances
in personal protective equipment (PPE), but confronting fall
hazards, especially in residential construction, involves some
critical choices. Following are some common hazards associated with
metal roofing and alternative work practices and products that may
reduce workers' exposures to injury.
Protection
Application of metal roof systems usually involves cutting,
punching, drilling or bending metal, which can produce sharp edges,
shavings or shards. To comply with standards for PPE established by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), you must
supply workers with the necessary PPE for the risks involved and
ensure they use it. For metal work, safety glasses, goggles or face
shields are necessary. Verify the purchased product has been
manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute's
(ANSI's) impact- and penetration-resistance requirements for eye
protection. Compliance with the ANSI Z87.1 eye-protection standard
will be marked on the glasses' frame, head strap or lens. Even
greater impact protection is indicated by the ANSI Z87+ voluntary
standard. Eye protection meeting that standard can withstand a
higher velocity impact than the basic impact protection of ANSI
Z87.1.
Hand injuries from cuts, punctures and abrasions can be avoided
by giving workers gloves woven with Kevlar® or stainless-steel
fibers. Often, these gloves have rubberized palm coatings for
gripping slick or polished metal surfaces. Costs vary but typically
are around $4 - $7 per pair—somewhat higher than a good
leather work glove. Similarly, constructed sleeves worn from the
wrist over the elbow offer added protection for...
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