A High That Can Bring You Down

It takes about half of a single second for a 200-pound-plus adult to fall to the ground from a roof’s edge.

I found out, the hard way.

Aches, pains, deep scratches, and nothing more, because I was one of the lucky ones, falling on soft dirt. As I lay on the ground trying to catch my breath, my wife pointed to the side of a rock slab porch just inches from my head. I was one of the really lucky ones.

You can always count on your spouse to find the humor in near-disaster. At least, my wife said before I could be helped upright, you’ve got your next Safety column.

That’s right. Roof safety.

And here’s the first rule: If you’re in your 50s, overweight and haven’t been on a roof since high school, don’t start.

According to construction industry statistics, 76 workers died from falls from roofs last year. The National Safety Council doesn’t keep records on roofing injuries, but based on its study of overall home injuries, a spokesman told me, they must number in the thousands.

If you must go on the roof, here are some wise suggestions I found from an Internet group called DoItYourself.com:

* Wear loose, comfortable clothing, rubber-soled shoes with good ankle support and a hat for sun protection.

* Work on the roof only in dry, calm, mild weather. A roof wet from rain or even frost and dew can be treacherous.

* Never get on the roof during strong winds.

* Be alert for slippery, brittle or old roofing materials and rotten decking you could put a foot through.

* Be on the alert for power lines connected to the house and for TV antennas.

* Pace yourself and take frequent rests.

* Keep children away from the area below.

* If lifting materials on the roof, let your leg muscles, not your back, do the work.

Some folks don’t even make it to the roof because they’re getting there on bad ladders. Check the rungs carefully before climbing that high.

And don’t try straining to reach the roof ledge because your ladder is too short. This week my neighbor is having her roof replaced. First thing I noticed: Workers used a ladder that extended well beyond the edge so they didn’t have to stretch to get there.

“Getting on and off the ladder is probably the most important safety issue when working on a roof,” said Frank Mangisi, vice president of Consumer Services Roofing of Anaheim, which is doing my neighbor’s work.

Mangisi says he has seen plenty of roof falls in his 15 years in the business. His company requires safety reviews for its workers every two months.

“Most roof falls could have been prevented with just a little common sense,” Mangisi said. “Go slow, be safe.”

He points out that some people working on their own roofs don’t fall off the roof but through it, unaware of weak places where they shouldn’t be walking. Other accidents occur because people are trying to carry too much equipment while walking on a sloped roof.

My mishap came on Memorial Day, when I wanted to trim a large bush spreading over our roof. I got to the edge and discovered the roof was way too hot for working on, so I started to climb down and lost my footing.

You won’t see me on that roof again. I’ll hire someone younger--and smarter--for that job.

Readers may reach Hicks by calling (714) 966-7789 or e-mail to jerry.hicks@latimes.com