Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2018

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

Yoojung Yoon

Committee Co-Chair

Radhey Sharma

Committee Member

P.V. Vijay

Abstract

Roofing is an important profession in the construction industry yet there is a lack of understanding of its safeness. It is generally believed that roofing is an occupation that can be easily practiced by anyone. However, there are many key factors that are associated with roofing, which may impact the lives of roofers who often face major risks at work. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), roofing is one of the leading causes of falling deaths among construction workers. The Bureau of labor statistics has reported that roofers are highly exposed to non-fatal injuries. They have also revealed that roofers had the highest fatality rates among construction workers in 2015 and 2016. There are many factors that lead to roofer’s falls such as the structural slope of rooftops, the type of roofing materials used, and failure to comply with constructional safety guidelines of lifting tools and personal fall arrest systems. With the help of laws and regulations implemented by OSHA, along with the field research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, employers can now strive to maintain the safety of workers and reduce fatal injuries and deaths. This research explores the practices involved in roofing and how roofing contributes both positively and negatively to the safety of roofers. It also discusses the effectiveness of regulations implemented by OSHA. As a result, this research provides recommendations for the roofing practices and regulations that can potentially assist roofers in creating a safe working environment.

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