The job of a roofer is not an easy one. Roofers must be able to carry heavy roofing shingles up and down ladders. They have to be both quick and sturdy on their feet and able to use basic roofing tools.
They also have little protection from the elements, whether it is the blistering heat or the freezing cold. Learn more about why roofing causes workplace injuries and deaths below.
What makes roofing so dangerous?
Any job working at height has the potential to cause serious and lethal injuries. One misstep while ascending the ladder carrying supplies can cause a fatal plunge and blunt force trauma injuries to roofers here in Virginia and elsewhere.
In 2023, roofing deaths saw an uptick of 10, as 134 roofers died of their work-related injuries in that year, when compared to the 124 lost lives in 2022. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites roofing’s work injury rate of 51.8 as the third-highest injury rate across all industries.
What should an injured worker do?
All workers should immediately report their injury to their supervisor. This establishes that the accident occurred at work and not during the worker’s off-work hours.
It’s also prudent to gather names of witnesses and ask them to summarize in writing what they observed just before and when the accident happened. You will need to seek medical attention to assess, diagnose and treat any acute injuries and follow up with your care provider for ongoing treatment when necessary.
Injured workers have a right to compensation
You may feel that your injury is not serious enough to report. But that would be a mistake, as chronic pain can result from untreated minor injuries that worsen over time. Workers’ compensation benefits are available to you if you seek them.
