Roofing Daily Safety Inspection

NRCA + OSHA 1926 daily roofing safety walk. Covers fall protection, ladder access, hot work, weather conditions, and material staging.

Pre-Work Site Conditions

• Work area free of uncontrolled slip, trip, and fall hazards
  Check for loose debris, open penetrations, unsecured cords/hoses, and other walking-surface hazards in the active work area.
• Roof edges, skylights, and openings protected
  Verify guardrails, covers, warning lines, or other approved protection is in place where required for edges, skylights, and roof openings.
• Housekeeping is adequate for current roof work
  Materials, scrap, fasteners, and packaging are controlled so they do not create a walking or falling-object hazard.
• Access route to roof is clear and controlled
  Verify the path from ground level to the roof access point is unobstructed and not exposed to unauthorized entry.

Fall Protection

• Fall protection system in use for exposed workers
  Verify each exposed worker is protected by guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest system, or another approved method appropriate to the task.
• Anchorage points are approved and positioned correctly
  Check that anchorages are suitable for the intended load and installed/used per manufacturer and site fall protection plan requirements.
• PFAS components are free of visible damage
  Inspect harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, connectors, and SRLs for cuts, fraying, deformation, corrosion, or other visible defects.
• Rescue plan is available and understood by crew
  Confirm a site-specific rescue plan exists for a suspended or fallen worker and the crew knows the immediate response steps.
• Warning lines, controlled access zones, or other perimeter controls are intact
  Where used, verify perimeter controls are continuous, properly placed, and not bypassed by workers or materials.

Ladders and Roof Access

• Ladder extends at least 3 feet above landing or has equivalent handhold
  Verify safe transition at the top of the ladder and secure access/egress at the roof edge or landing.
• Ladder is secured, stable, and free of visible defects
  Check rails, rungs, feet, and tie-off/anti-slip condition. Ladder must not shift, wobble, or show damage.
• Three-point contact maintained during access/egress
  Confirm workers are using the ladder safely and not carrying loads that prevent safe climbing.
• Roof access opening protected when not in use
  Verify hatch, door, or access opening is controlled so workers do not fall through or enter unsafely.

Hot Work and Fire Prevention

• Hot work permit is issued when required
  Confirm permit, authorization, and scope are in place before hot work begins.
• Fire extinguisher is present, accessible, and appropriate for hot work
  Verify extinguisher is within immediate reach of the hot work area, unobstructed, and serviceable.
• Combustible materials are protected or removed from hot work area
  Check for tarps, insulation, adhesives, solvents, packaging, and other combustibles within the hazard zone.
• Fire watch assigned when required
  Confirm a trained fire watch is assigned and remains in place for the required duration after hot work.

Weather and Environmental Conditions

• Wind speed and weather conditions are acceptable for roof work
  Record current conditions and verify work is not proceeding in unsafe wind, rain, lightning, ice, or other hazardous weather.
• Roof surface is dry or otherwise safe for footing
  Confirm the walking/working surface does not present an unsafe slip hazard from moisture, frost, ice, or debris.
• Lightning or severe weather stop-work criteria reviewed
  Verify the crew knows when work must stop and where to shelter if severe weather develops.

Material Staging and Housekeeping

• Materials staged away from roof edges and openings
  Confirm bundles, tools, and supplies are positioned to prevent falling objects and do not encroach on edge protection.
• Roof load is within safe limits for staged materials
  Verify material quantity and placement do not exceed structural or manufacturer limits for the roof area in use.
• Materials are secured against sliding or wind displacement
  Check that loose materials, membrane rolls, insulation, and tools are restrained or stored to prevent movement.

Inspection Sign-Off

• Deficiencies documented and assigned for correction
  Record all non-conformances, immediate controls, and responsible person for follow-up.
• Inspector signature
  Signature of the competent person or designated inspector completing the daily roofing safety walk.