Torching safety | Safe SolutionsPeter Greenbaum
One summer morning, Joe and his crew were working on a small
office roof. It was a torch-applied job that required two torching
wagons, as well as hand torches.
Joe had worked for Guildhall Roofing for five years and had
gained valuable experience as a foreman. For this project, he had
met with the building owner and discussed possible torching
hazards. They inspected the deck's underside and the building's
attic space for potentially hazardous conditions, such as
insulation and flammable materials. They also had inspected the
building for flammable or hazardous materials that could ignite if
exposed to the torches.
Before work began, Joe ensured the roof's surface was
noncombustible so it wouldn't be ignited by torch flames. He
checked that there were enough fire extinguishers nearby and made
sure workers were wearing appropriate personal protective
equipment, including eye and face protection, long-sleeved shirts
buttoned at the wrist, work gloves, long pants and high-top work
boots with sturdy soles.
Joe made sure appropriate fall protection, such as warning lines
for the low-slope roof system, was in place and the torching
equipment was in good operating condition. The workers had been
trained in the use of torches, and Joe felt confident about the
job. He had explained the local fire codes and safety regulations
to them and made certain the telephone number of the local fire
department was programmed into several of the crew members'
cell...
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