How To Walk On A Slippery Metal Roof

Fall arrest and fall restraint systems.

How to walk on a slippery metal roof.

The steeper the metal roof the more you ll need to lean over. A sheet of metal roofing is like a sail with knives on the edges. Walk sideways when moving up or down the roof so you descend the slope gradually. Metal roofs are more slippery than some other roofing products so you must wear the right footwear in order to safely walk on your roof.

Try to move parallel to the roof s edge rather than straight up and down. For your own safety it s important to know how to walk on a metal roof. Walk up a roof and lean your body over towards the roof to help maintain your balance. The metal surface is very smooth and slippery so you need to have good traction and a secure grip.

You should have the feeling that your shoes are sticking to the metal. It should be a soft soled rubber bottom that almost feels like it s gripping the roof it should feel somewhat sticky especially on hot days. On metal roofs it s a must to wear rubber soled shoes. Use a sturdy extension ladder that extends at least 3 feet above the eaves to climb onto the roof and secure the bottom to the foundation and the top to the eaves or fascia so it doesn t move.

Wear soft soled shoes or sneakers for better traction. A harness will keep you from falling off the roof if you slip. Steep metal roofs are especially slippery when they are wet so contractors should avoid working on a wet roof when possible. Walk up or down a slightly inclined roof by walking as you would on the ground but slowly.

Never work on a metal roof in the rain or wind when the roof is wet or in wet or dirty shoes. Choose the right footwear to get started you need good shoes.