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Dangerous Occupations: Roofers

Whenever a job involves heights, it also involves danger. Even with the proper equipment, a man or woman who stands on a roof for a living is at risk to a terrifying tumble. According to CNN, 32 out of every 100,000 roofers will die on the job. Shockingly, these roofers put their lives at risk for only about $37,880 a year. Though some contractors are taking precautions to heighten roofing safety, a stray tool can still cause a stumble or an insecure line can send a person tumbling without protection.

Also, weather can pose a danger for roofers. When it rains, roofs become slippery and slick. Lightning can strike and target a person on one of these roofs. Gusts of wind can cause a person to lose his or her balance. The hot sun can drain a person’s energy and cause him or her to faint, possible toppling off the top of a buildings.

In recent news, a roofer in Mesa, Arizona was working on a senior living center and tumbled 35 feet to his death. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofer fatalities have decreased by about 17 percent over the past two years. 57 people died in a work-related roofing accident in 2010. This decrease is in part because of better safety education among construction companies.

In some states, all roofer’s are required to take a 10-hour safety course which helps them to be aware of the dangers of their job. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also teaches roofers how to avoid fire and electric shock hazards on the job, which are serious risks when working on the electric systems in a home or building. If you were hurt on the job in a roofing accident, then you deserve worker’s compensation. Talk to a personal injury lawyer for more information.