What Landlords Need To Know Before Hiring A Roofer

Tips For Landlords When Hiring A Roofer

What Landlords Need To Know Before Hiring A Roofer

Any work which is undertaken by a roofing contractor is normally covered by a civil contract and Health and Safety requirements are typically written into a contract. Despite this, Health and Safety responsibilities are defined by the criminal law and it is impossible for it to be passed by a contract from one party to another. As it involves working at height, working on a roof can cause multiple problems. Those involved in roofing make up just under a quarter of all workers who are killed as a result of falling from height at work. In fact, roofing is the biggest killer in construction. Falls through roof lights and asbestos cement roofing sheets are accountable for more than half of these deaths. The individuals who work on roofs aren’t always trained roofers but maintenance workers too. Serious injuries can often occur with permanent disabilities happening as well. Both parties will have duties under Health and Safety law in any landlord/roofing contractor relationship. This is also true of contractors who employ sub-contractors to carry out some or all of the work because all parties will have Health and Safety responsibilities to a certain degree. However, the extent of the responsibilities of each party depends on the circumstances. All aspects of the work which landlords want a roofer to do need to be considered. This includes work falling within the preparation and completion phases. However, the extent of the risk depends on the job itself. Whatever work needs to be completed, the Health and Safety implications of the job which landlords want to have done should be considered. This involves selecting a company who is capable of doing the job in hand, completing any risk assessments, knowing about any information or training which needs to be relayed to a roofing professional and how co-operation and co-ordination between all parties is achieved. Also, it needs to be calculated about how the workforce is to be consulted and the level of management and supervision which is required. When selecting a suitable roofing firm, landlords need to know that the roofer is competent with working at heights and no risk is posed to their wellbeing. If this is followed, they will be able to demonstrate a high level of Health and Safety at all times. Their actual competence depends on the work which is to be done. Informing roofers about what you expect and the results that should be achieved need to be told to them. Explaining any Health and Safety concerns is also important too.  There are many questions which landlords could ask so that they know about how competent their roofing contractor is. These include:

  • What is their experience of completing this type of work which you want done?
  • Are Risk Assessments carried out by the roofing company?
  • What is their recent accident record?
  • What are their qualifications and how long have they been in business?
  • What is their safety method statement?
  • How do they inform their workforce about Health and Safety concerns?
  • Do they have an independent assessment of their competence?
  • What are their Health and Safety policies/practices?
  • Are they members of a relevant trade or professional body such as the Confederation of roofing contractors?

By knowing this information, landlords will be aware about whether the roofing company which they’ve hired is able to safely complete the work that’s due to be done.

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