being on roof's & the MOL

[Shane Aldworth]

This has turned into quite the discussion, I was able to find out some facts. I placed a call into the MOL directly, and they stated to me "in order to be on the roof, or working at a height of more than 3 meters, the person must be tied off with a 5 point body harness to an item that can support up to 5000lbs. Also there has to be a spotter". He also defined work as being something or a procedure that is being performed that you are compensated for in any way shape or form, this includes just for pizza and beer. He also told me that if you are the direct owner of the property these rules do not apply. He also told me that you can locate all this in section 85 of Regulation 851. He also informed me in relation to working with ladders, you must maintain a 3 point stand on the ladder at all times with a spotter on the ground. He did mention that in multiple infractions the fines can be quite heavy, but didn't quote any, and the amount is mostly up to the mol inspector on site. So basically it comes down to do you want to break the law and risk the fines or not, myself I will stick to the practice of inspecting from ladders edge and binoculars, as you can cover all of the roof from multiple locations, and also noting on my inspection report due to government regulations we are unable to walk on the roof to perform a complete inspection. Also noted is the fact when an asphalt shingled roof is walked on you are in fact causing premature ware in the shingles as the act of walking on the shingles will loosen the granules, so in fact we are actually adding to the ware of the roof by walking on it.

:so do you want to risk your life, injury or lost income
:risk being fined by the MOL for unsafe working practices
:and contributing to the premature ware if the shingles

when in fact you can cover the roof 100% without going on it

[Steven R. Butts]

Thanks for the research and report Shanel. You've made a believer out of me. I will not go on any more roofs. The only observation I would have for the MOL is that by the time a person got a fall-arrest device mounted on the roof, the typical inspection would have been long over, and where is the protection for the person mounting the fall-arrest device? Gotta love government logic.
Thanks again.

Steve

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by Shane Aldworth

This has turned into quite the discussion, I was able to find out some facts. I placed a call into the MOL directly, and they stated to me "in order to be on the roof, or working at a height of more than 3 meters, the person must be tied off with a 5 point body harness to an item that can support up to 5000lbs. Also there has to be a spotter". He also defined work as being something or a procedure that is being performed that you are compensated for in any way shape or form, this includes just for pizza and beer. He also told me that if you are the direct owner of the property these rules do not apply. He also told me that you can locate all this in section 85 of Regulation 851. He also informed me in relation to working with ladders, you must maintain a 3 point stand on the ladder at all times with a spotter on the ground. He did mention that in multiple infractions the fines can be quite heavy, but didn't quote any, and the amount is mostly up to the mol inspector on site. So basically it comes down to do you want to break the law and risk the fines or not, myself I will stick to the practice of inspecting from ladders edge and binoculars, as you can cover all of the roof from multiple locations, and also noting on my inspection report due to government regulations we are unable to walk on the roof to perform a complete inspection. Also noted is the fact when an asphalt shingled roof is walked on you are in fact causing premature ware in the shingles as the act of walking on the shingles will loosen the granules, so in fact we are actually adding to the ware of the roof by walking on it.

:so do you want to risk your life, injury or lost income
:risk being fined by the MOL for unsafe working practices
:and contributing to the premature ware if the shingles

when in fact you can cover the roof 100% without going on it

Good research, but I'll keep doing things my way, thank-you. It works for me.

As for being able to see 100% of the roof from a ladder, I don't think so. In fact I know so after having been on

Also, one person walking on shingles will not do any harm if he is careful. That shingle damage stuff is a red herring most of the time. If the shingles are frozen I agree. If it is 100 degrees F in the shade, I agree. Otherwise they'll be just fine.

We all run our own businesses and we all have to make our own business decisions. We also will not always agree. That's life.

Bill Mullen