Due to the cold and snowy winters, there are only so many months of the year you can install or fix roofs in Minnesota. Because of this, roofers are often exposed to unreasonably hot temperatures in order to finish their jobs on time. But heat isn’t the only thing roofers need to watch out for on the job. Today, we take a look at some common work injuries among roofers.
Injuries Among Roofers
Here’s a look at some of the most common injuries that send roofers to the hospital and in search of an injury claim:
1. Falls – Falls are one of the most common injuries among roofers. Although OSHA has upgraded safety regulations to ensure roofers are harnessed when working on certain sites and at certain heights, all it takes is one misstep or one leaning ladder to send a roofer to the ground. We’ve talked to roofers who have been left paralyzed after a fall, so it’s clear that fall injuries can be devastating. Always follow safety protocols in order to reduce your likelihood of a fall injury.
2. Puncture Wounds – Roofers work with nails each and every day, and while they aren’t likely to hammer a nail into their own hand, a number of them are injured when they step on a nail and it punctures their shoe. Certain work boots can protect against puncture wounds, but you need to be mindful of any dropped nails at the jobsite.
3. Heat-Related Injuries – As we alluded to in the intro, since roofers in Minnesota don’t have the luxury of roofing year round during the cooler months, they often have to work in the hot temperatures of June, July and August. This can lead to heat strokes, burns that could result in skin cancers, or loss of consciousness, which can be especially dangerous when you’re working high in the air. Drink plenty of fluids, try to avoid working during the hottest part of the day and take breaks as needed to avoid heat-related illnesses.
4. Repetitive Motion Injuries – Roofers are often tasked with performing many of the same motions day in and day out. This can lead to problems like carpal tunnel or other repetitive motion injuries like tendinitis or arthritis. Work on physical therapy or strength and conditioning exercises while off the job to be better prepared to handle the rigors of your line of work.
5. Back Injuries – Whether you’re bent over hammering a nail or carrying a heavy set of shingles up a ladder, you’re going to stress your back a lot as a roofer. This can result in acute spine injuries or overstress injuries that can develop over the course of several years of hard labor. You’re entitled to compensation for both types of injuries.
If you are a Minnesota roofer and you’ve suffered any of the above injuries or a whole different injury altogether, reach out to the lawyers at Hey Workers. We’ll work with you to ensure you get the injury compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 844-439-9675 for more information.
