# Job Hazard Analysis: Roof tear-off URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/roofing/tear-off Last updated: 2026-10-23 Removing existing asphalt shingles, underlayment, drip edge, and flashing from a steep-slope residential roof down to the wood deck. Debris goes into a dumpster or trailer on the ground. Covers setup, roof access, tear-off, debris disposal, deck check, dry-in, and ground cleanup. Weather, roof height, slope, nearby power lines, and deck condition must be checked by the competent person before work starts. > 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. Set up the site: place the dumpster, tarp the ground, and protect windows and landscaping. - **Struck by the roll-off truck or a backing vehicle while placing the dumpster.** (Medium): Keep workers out of the truck's path until the dumpster is set and the truck has left.; Use one spotter in view of the driver for all backing.; Wear a high-visibility vest near moving vehicles. - **Overhead power lines near the roof edge, dumpster, or ladder location.** (High): Locate all overhead lines before setup and keep ladders, tools, and debris at least 10 ft away.; If work must be closer, call the utility to de-energize or cover the lines before starting.; Use fiberglass ladders only; no aluminum ladders on this job. ### 2. Set up roof access and install fall protection: extension ladder, roof anchors, lifelines, and roof brackets. - **Fall from the extension ladder while climbing or getting on and off the roof.** (High): Set the ladder at a 4-to-1 angle on firm, level ground and extend it 3 ft above the roof edge.; Tie off the top of the ladder and inspect rungs, feet, and locks before use.; Keep 3 points of contact; haul tools and bundles up with a rope or ladder hoist, not in your hands. - **Fall from the roof edge while installing anchors before anyone is tied off.** (High): Install the first anchor at the ridge from the ladder or from a secured position, working away from the edge.; Nail anchors into rafters or trusses with the nails the manufacturer specifies, not just into the deck.; Competent person checks every anchor, rope grab, and lanyard before the crew goes up. ### 3. Tear off shingles and underlayment with roofing shovels, working from the ridge down. - **Slipping on loose shingles, granules, or wet felt and falling off the roof.** (High): Stay tied off to the lifeline with a full-body harness at all times on the roof.; Keep lifelines short enough that you cannot reach the edge or hit the ground in a fall.; Install roof brackets with 2x planks as toe boards on steep pitches and below the work.; Stop tear-off when the roof is wet, icy, or in high wind. - **Falling through skylights, chimney openings, or rotten decking.** (High): Cover skylights and openings with secured plywood marked HOLE or COVER before tear-off.; Walk on rafter lines and test soft spots before putting full weight on them. - **Back and shoulder strain from prying and carrying heavy debris.** (Medium): Rotate shovel and carrying jobs among the crew every hour.; Keep loads small; do not stack debris piles on the roof. - **Cuts and punctures from exposed nails and sharp flashing.** (Medium): Pull or hammer down nails as you go so the deck stays clear.; Wear cut-resistant gloves and boots with puncture-resistant soles. ### 4. Drop debris into the dumpster or trailer. - **Workers on the ground struck by falling shingles, nails, or tools.** (High): Park the dumpster right under the drop point or use an enclosed chute.; Barricade and sign the drop zone; no one enters while debris is coming down.; Call out before every drop and get an answer from the ground.; Wear a hard hat on the ground at all times. - **Leaning over the edge to throw debris and losing balance.** (High): Stay tied off and do not lean past the edge; slide debris off from behind a toe board. ### 5. Inspect the deck, replace damaged plywood, and dry in with underlayment. - **Kickback and cuts from the circular saw when cutting out bad decking.** (Medium): Check the blade guard and cord before use; set blade depth to the plywood thickness.; Plug into a GFCI-protected cord and keep cords away from your feet and the edge.; Wear safety glasses while cutting and nailing. - **Nail gun injuries from contact-trip firing or double fires.** (Medium): Use sequential-trigger nail guns and keep your free hand at least 12 in from the nose.; Disconnect the air hose before clearing jams or moving the gun. - **Wind catching underlayment rolls or plywood sheets and pulling you off balance.** (Medium): Carry full sheets with two people and stop handling sheets in gusty wind.; Tear off only as much as you can dry in the same day. ### 6. Work in heat: plan water, rest, and shade for the whole shift. - **Heat exhaustion or heat stroke from sun and hot roof surfaces.** (High): Start early and schedule the hardest tear-off before the hottest part of the day.; Provide cool water and shaded breaks; drink a cup every 15–20 minutes.; Let new or returning workers build up to full workloads over the first days.; Watch each other for dizziness, confusion, or stopped sweating and report it right away. ### 7. Clean up: remove fall protection last, sweep for nails, and close the dumpster area. - **Falling while removing anchors and lifelines at the end of the day.** (High): Take down anchors last, working from the ladder or while tied off to another anchor. - **Puncture wounds from loose nails in the yard and driveway.** (Low): Run a magnetic sweeper over the yard, driveway, and drop zone twice.; Keep walkways clear of debris and cords during the shift. ## Required PPE - Full-body harness with lanyard or rope grab — On the roof at all times; inspect before each use. - Hard hat — For ground crew and anyone in the drop zone. - ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses — At all times during tear-off, cutting, and nailing. - Cut-resistant work gloves — When handling shingles, flashing, and debris. - Roofing boots with soft, puncture-resistant soles — For grip on the roof and protection from nails. - High-visibility vest — For ground crew near trucks and the driveway. - Hearing protection (earplugs) — When running saws, compressors, or nail guns. ## Training - Fall protection training: harness fit, anchors, lifelines, and recognizing fall hazards, before working on the roof. - Ladder safety training: setup, angle, tie-off, and 3 points of contact. - A competent person on site to inspect fall protection, the deck, and site conditions. - Heat illness prevention: signs, water and rest, and how to get help. - Safe use of nail guns and circular saws, including GFCI use. ## Emergency If someone falls: stop all work, call 911 and give the full site address, and do not move the injured person unless they are in danger. If a worker is hanging in a harness, get them down within minutes using the ladder or rescue plan. Give first aid and send someone to the street to guide EMS in. ## 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 1926.25](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.25) — Housekeeping - [29 CFR 1926.416](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.416) — Electrical — general requirements - [29 CFR 1926.102](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.102) — Eye and face protection - [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure) — Heat — hazard recognition and prevention --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.