# Job Hazard Analysis: Roof leak repair URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/roofing/roof-repair Last updated: 2026-10-23 Repair of a leak on a sloped asphalt-shingle roof, usually a 1–2 story house or small building. Crew accesses the roof by extension ladder, finds the leak, removes damaged shingles, flashing, or underlayment, and installs new material and sealant. Roof edge is 6 ft or more above the ground. Work is outdoors and exposed to sun, heat, rain, wind, and storms. > A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts. ## Steps, hazards and controls ### 1. Check the site and weather and set up the work area - **Lightning, rain, or high wind making the roof wet or unstable** (High): Check the forecast before leaving the shop; reschedule if storms or wind over 25 mph are expected.; If you hear thunder, get off the roof and into a vehicle or building. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back up.; Do not work on wet, icy, or frosty shingles. Wait until the roof is dry. - **Overhead power lines near the ladder spot or roof edge** (High): Walk the site and find all overhead lines and the service drop before unloading the ladder.; Set the ladder and carry material at least 10 ft away from power lines. Use a fiberglass ladder, not aluminum.; If work must be closer, stop and have the supervisor call the utility to de-energize or cover the lines. - **Tools and shingles falling onto people below** (Medium): Mark off the drop zone under the work area with caution tape or cones and keep the homeowner, kids, and pets out.; Ground crew wears a hard hat inside the marked zone. ### 2. Set up and climb the extension ladder - **Ladder slipping, kicking out, or tipping while climbing** (High): Inspect the fiberglass extension ladder for cracked rails, bent rungs, and worn feet; tag and remove a damaged ladder.; Set it on firm, level ground at a 4-to-1 angle (1 ft out for every 4 ft up) and extend it 3 ft above the roof edge.; Tie off the top to the gutter bracket or a ladder stabilizer and have a coworker hold the base until it is secured.; Keep 3 points of contact. Do not carry tools or bundles in your hands; use a tool belt or hoist material with a rope. - **Fall while stepping from the ladder onto the roof** (High): Step off only where the ladder extends 3 ft above the edge and hold the rails while you step.; Clip into the lifeline or anchor as soon as you reach it; do not walk the roof untied. ### 3. Install roof anchor and fall arrest system - **Falling off the roof edge before protection is in place** (High): Install the first roof anchor at the ridge near the ladder, working from the ladder or staying as far from the edge as you can.; Screw or nail the anchor into a rafter or truss, not just the decking, following the maker's instructions.; Inspect the harness, lanyard or rope grab, and lifeline for cuts, burns, and bad hardware before each use.; Adjust the lifeline length so you cannot reach or go over the roof edge. ### 4. Find the leak (roof surface and attic) - **Stepping through rotted or soft decking at the leak** (High): Check the attic first to see how big the wet or rotted area is.; Do not stand on soft, spongy, or stained decking. Walk over rafters, and lay a plank across the rafters if needed.; Stay tied off the whole time you are on the roof. - **Attic heat, exposed nails, and fiberglass insulation** (Medium): Go in the attic early in the day; limit time in a hot attic and come out to cool off and drink water.; Step only on joists or a board, use a work light, and wear a hard hat for roofing nails sticking through.; Wear long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and an N95 dust mask around insulation. ### 5. Remove damaged shingles, flashing, and underlayment - **Cuts from utility knife, flat bar, and sharp metal flashing** (Medium): Use a hook-blade utility knife with a sharp blade and cut away from your body and hands.; Wear cut-resistant work gloves when handling metal flashing. - **Slipping on loose shingles, granules, and debris** (Medium): Drop torn-off material straight into a bag or bucket, or into a dumpster or tarp below the marked zone. Do not leave it on the roof.; Sweep loose granules off your walking path and install a toe board or roof jack board below the work area on steep roofs.; Wear soft-soled, slip-resistant boots. ### 6. Install new underlayment, flashing, shingles, and sealant - **Pneumatic coil roofing nailer injuries (nail in hand or foot, double fire)** (Medium): For small repairs, hand-nail with a roofing hammer instead of using the nailer.; If you use the nailer, use sequential (single-shot) trigger mode and keep the safety tip working; never tape or bypass it.; Keep your hand at least 6 in from the nose, disconnect air before clearing jams, and keep the hose off walking paths.; Wear safety glasses at all times while nailing. - **Roofing cement, sealant, and primer (skin and eye contact, vapors, flammable)** (Low): Read the SDS and label before use; choose low-VOC sealant when it works for the repair.; Keep cans closed, away from sparks and cigarettes, and do not smoke while using them.; Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; wash hands before eating. - **Heat illness on a hot roof** (High): Schedule roof work for the morning on hot days.; Drink water every 15 minutes, take shade breaks, and give new workers time to get used to the heat.; Watch each other for dizziness, confusion, cramps, or stopping sweating; get that person off the roof and cooled down right away. ### 7. Test the repair, clean up, and come down - **Slipping on a wet roof during the water test** (Medium): Run the hose from the ground or from above the repair while staying tied off; do not walk on wet shingles.; Have a second worker check the attic for drips instead of you climbing down and back up. - **Fall while removing the anchor and climbing down the ladder** (High): Lower tools and debris with a rope first, then remove the anchor last while staying near the ladder.; Seal the anchor nail holes and climb down facing the ladder with 3 points of contact. - **Nails and debris left on the ground** (Low): Sweep the yard and driveway with a magnetic sweeper and bag all debris. ## Required PPE - Full-body harness with lanyard or rope grab — At all times on the roof, connected to a roof anchor in a rafter or truss. - Safety glasses — ANSI Z87.1 at all times when cutting, nailing, tearing off, or using sealant. - Slip-resistant boots — Soft rubber soles for gripping shingles; no worn-out treads. - Work gloves — Cut-resistant for flashing and shingles; nitrile for roofing cement and primer. - Hard hat — For ground crew in the drop zone and anyone working in the attic. - N95 dust mask — In the attic around insulation and dust. - Sun protection — Light-colored long sleeves, hat brim or hard hat sunshade, and sunscreen on hot days. ## Training - Fall protection training per 29 CFR 1926.503, including harness inspection, anchor installation, and fall rescue. - Ladder safety training: inspection, 4-to-1 setup, 3-ft extension, tying off, and power line clearance. - Pneumatic nailer training, including sequential trigger use and clearing jams. - Hazard communication training on roofing cement, sealants, and primers, including how to read the SDS. - Heat illness and lightning safety: signs, water and rest breaks, and when to stop work. - A competent person reviews the roof, anchors, and fall protection plan before work starts. ## Emergency If a worker falls: stop all work, call 911, and give the exact job address. Do not move the injured person unless they are in danger; give first aid until help arrives. If a worker is hanging in a harness, rescue them within minutes using the ladder or rescue plan, and keep their legs moving or supported. Report every fall to the supervisor right away. ## Official sources - [29 CFR 1926.501](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.501) — Duty to have fall protection - [29 CFR 1926.502](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.502) — Fall protection systems criteria and practices - [29 CFR 1926.503](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.503) — Fall protection training requirements - [29 CFR 1926.1053](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.1053) — Ladders - [29 CFR 1926.302](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.302) — Power-operated hand tools - [29 CFR 1926.59](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.59) — Hazard communication - [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure) — Heat — hazard recognition and prevention - [OSHA/NOAA](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3863.pdf) — Lightning safety when working outdoors --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.