Vincent Albert Gentilozzi is a roofing specialist and owner of Stormshield Roofing in Lansing, Michigan. In the following article, Vincent Gentilozzi discusses how business owners can prevent employees from preventable accidents.
Roofing can be a dangerous job, and it’s important for roofing companies to always take safety seriously in order to keep their employees safe. By knowing how to protect themselves and their coworkers on the job, professionals can prevent common safety hazards from causing accidents to occur, such as falling from heights and inhaling dangerous emissions from equipment or materials.
Vincent Albert Gentilozzi says that there are many ways that companies can take steps to improve safety on the job. These include investing in the right safety equipment, ensuring that employees are properly trained in safety procedures, and creating a company culture that emphasizes safe work practices.
Investing in the Right Safety Equipment
Vincent Albert Gentilozzi says that one of the most important steps that roofing companies can take to protect their employees from safety hazards is to invest in the proper safety equipment. This might include things like hard hats, protective eyewear, gloves, harnesses, lanyards, and other gear designed specifically for working on roofs.
When purchasing this equipment, it’s also important to ensure that it is properly maintained and fits correctly. For instance, hard hats should be replaced when they become too damaged or worn down to efficiently protect the wearer from falling objects.
Additionally, Vincent Albert Gentilozzi says that employers should make sure that all workers are trained in how to use this equipment properly, and that they understand how to select the right safety gear for different situations.
Making Sure Employees Are Properly Trained in Safety Procedures
Another important step to keep employees safe is to ensure that they are properly trained in safety procedures. This means providing workers with thorough instructions on how to use the equipment, but it also means teaching them about some of the most common safety hazards they may encounter on the job.
Vincent Albert Gentilozzi explains that employees need to be aware of how to avoid falling off a roof or slipping when working in wet conditions, and they should also know how to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes and particles that might become airborne by using certain equipment during a roofing project.
This training should also include tips for working safely with tools like ladders and nail guns. By teaching their workers how to use these tools properly, roofing companies can help prevent injuries that could occur from misusing them.
Creating a Company Culture That Emphasizes Safety Practices
In addition to investing in the right safety equipment and making sure that employees are properly trained in safety procedures, roofing companies should take steps to create a company culture that emphasizes safe work practices. This means setting clear expectations for what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to safety and enforcing those standards consistently.
Vincent Albert Gentilozzi says that this might mean instituting disciplinary measures if workers violate safety rules, especially for employees who consistently put themselves and others at risk on the job.
Communicating with Employees About Safety Concerns
Another important way that companies can protect their employees is to communicate with them about any concerns they might have. Vincent Albert Gentilozzi explains that by encouraging workers to speak up about any potential hazards or something they believe isn’t safe, and responding quickly and meaningfully, the worksite can be made much more safe and worry-free.
For instance, if an employee notices that they are frequently slipping on the roof due to wet conditions or poor footing, their employer should act quickly to make the necessary adjustments. This may include cleaning up spills on the roof or a substance such as salt to improve traction in the rain, says Vincent Albert Gentilozzi.
Final Thoughts
By taking these and other proactive steps, roofing companies can help keep their employees safe and reduce the risk of injuries on the job. By working to ensure that safety is a top priority, these companies can help protect not only their own employees, but anyone else who might be affected by a roofing project, including the homeowners or business owners who are also involved in the work.
With these tips in mind, Vincent Albert Gentilozzi says that roofing company owners can enjoy peace of mind knowing that they have done everything in their power to keep their employees safe and reduce the risk of serious accidents on the job.
