Roof Safety Inspection Checklist for Workers — OSHA-Aligned Guide

Wet or icy roofing surfaces reduce traction by 50–80%. Frost is especially dangerous because it's often invisible in early morning. Check the roof surface temperature — if it's at or below 32°F and there's any moisture, the surface may be icy even if it doesn't look it. Wind above 25 mph creates fall risk on any roof, even when dry.

Walk the perimeter from the ground and note every unprotected edge, skylight, roof hatch, vent opening, and areas where the roof changes level. Each one needs fall protection — guardrails, covers, or personal fall arrest systems. Skylights are particularly dangerous because they look solid but most residential skylights cannot support a person's weight.

Look for visible sag, bounce when walked on, soft spots, or signs of fire or water damage that may have weakened the structure. An older roof being prepared for tear-off may have rotted decking that gives way under foot traffic. If there's any doubt, have a structural assessment done before loading the roof with workers, material pallets, and equipment.

Contact with overhead power lines is fatal. Identify every wire within 10 feet of the roof perimeter, including service drops to the building. Ladders, metal gutters, and long pieces of flashing or drip edge can contact lines when lifted or swung. If lines are within the work zone, call the utility company to install protective covers or de-energize the line before work begins.

Check every rung for cracks, bends, and looseness. Verify that the feet (shoes) are present and in good condition — missing or worn feet cause the ladder base to slide. Check locking mechanisms on extension ladders to ensure they engage fully. Never use a damaged ladder — tag it out and remove it from the job site.

The 4:1 rule prevents both the base from sliding out (too steep) and the ladder from tipping backward (too shallow). For a roof edge at 12 feet, the base should be 3 feet from the wall. The top of the ladder must extend at least 3 feet above the roof edge to provide a handhold when stepping on and off.

Tie the top of the ladder to a secure anchor point (roof joist, fascia board with a standoff bracket, or a ladder stabilizer). Place the base on firm, level ground — never on soft soil, gravel, or uneven surfaces without a leveler. If the ground is soft, use a wide base pad. Never place a ladder on another object (bucket, box, truck bed) to gain height.

Carry tools in a belt or bucket, not in your hands. Never lean sideways past the ladder rails — if your belt buckle extends past the rail, you're over-reaching. Climb down and reposition the ladder instead.

Check all webbing for cuts, abrasion, UV degradation (stiffness, discoloration), and chemical damage. Verify that all buckles and D-rings are free of cracks and corrosion. Check stitching at all connection points for broken threads. A harness that has arrested a fall must be retired — the forces involved stretch and weaken the materials even without visible damage.

Roof anchors must be attached to structural members (rafters, trusses) — never to decking, fascia, or sheathing alone. Temporary roof anchors cost $20–$50 and fasten through the deck into the rafter with lag screws. Permanent anchors should be sealed and flashed into the roofing system.

Check that snap hooks close and lock fully. Test self-retracting lifelines by pulling a few feet of cable and verifying it retracts smoothly and locks when pulled sharply. Verify the lanyard length keeps the fall distance within safe limits — a 6-foot lanyard with a 3.5-foot deceleration distance requires at least 18.5 feet of clearance below the anchor point to prevent ground contact.

On flat or low-slope roofs, guardrails at roof edges (42 inches high with mid-rail and toe board) or warning lines (set back 6 feet from the edge) provide fall protection without the mobility restrictions of a harness and lanyard. Guardrails are required on commercial jobs and recommended on residential flat roofs.

Skylights are fall-through hazards — most residential skylights shatter under body weight. Cover them with ¾-inch plywood screwed into the curb or framing, or install a skylight cage. Mark the cover clearly: 'HOLE — DO NOT REMOVE.' Never place tools, materials, or feet on a skylight dome.

Trip hazards on a roof surface are fall hazards. Stage tools in a designated area, keep air hose and extension cords routed along a consistent path, and clear tear-off debris continuously rather than letting it pile up. Use tool lanyards on anything that could slide off the roof and hit someone below.

No one should walk, stand, or park below an active roof work area. Falling tools, debris, and shingle bundles can cause serious injury. Mark the exclusion zone with cones, tape, or barricades — extend it at least 6 feet out from the roof edge, farther on multi-story buildings.

A clear morning can turn into afternoon thunderstorms. Assign someone to check weather radar hourly. Descend from the roof before lightning moves within 10 miles (if you hear thunder, you're within 10 miles). Stop work if rain starts — wet roofs become dangerous within minutes as water mixes with granule dust.