Roofing Company Employee Handbook Template

Roofing is one of the most dangerous occupations in construction. Falls from roofs are a leading cause of workplace fatalities, and heat-related illnesses are a constant concern during summer months. A roofing company employee handbook isn't just good business practice — it's essential for keeping your crew safe and protecting your company from OSHA violations and liability.

This guide covers the critical safety policies every roofing handbook needs, plus a free template to get you started.

Why roofing companies need a specialized handbook

Generic employee handbooks don't address the extreme hazards of roofing work. Your industry requires specific policies for:

• Fall protection — OSHA's #1 cited violation in construction
• Heat illness prevention — Working on hot roofs in direct sun
• Ladder safety — Primary access method with serious fall risk
• Equipment hazards — Nail guns, torches, hoists, and power tools
• Weather decisions — When conditions are too dangerous to work
• Material handling — Heavy loads on elevated, sloped surfaces

Without documented safety policies, you're exposed to OSHA fines (up to $156,259 per willful violation), workers' comp claims, and potentially devastating accidents.

Download the template

Get started with our free employee handbook template. It includes all the standard sections, which you can customize with roofing-specific safety policies.

This is our general template. Add the roofing-specific sections outlined below to make it complete for your company. Need help? See our step-by-step handbook guide. Also check out our construction handbook template for additional OSHA compliance policies.

Key sections for roofing company handbooks

Beyond standard handbook content, roofing companies need these specialized sections:

Fall protection policies

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. OSHA requires fall protection for work at 6 feet or above — which means virtually all roofing work.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

• Full-body harness required — no body belts
• Harness must fit properly and be inspected before each use
• Lanyards limited to 6 feet to minimize free fall distance
• Anchor points must support 5,000 lbs per worker attached
• 100% tie-off required when moving between anchor points
• Shock-absorbing lanyards or self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) required

Roof edge protection

• Guardrails, safety nets, or PFAS required at all roof edges
• Warning lines at least 6 feet from edge (15 feet for steep roofs)
• Safety monitors only allowed as supplement, not primary protection
• Skylights and roof openings must be covered or guarded

Equipment inspection

• Inspect all fall protection equipment before each use
• Remove from service if damaged, worn, or subjected to fall forces
• Document inspections and equipment retirement
• Replace components per manufacturer guidelines

Heat illness prevention

Roofing surfaces can reach 150°F+ in summer. Heat stroke can be fatal. Your handbook must address heat illness prevention:

Water, rest, shade

• Provide cool drinking water — at least 1 quart per worker per hour
• Water must be readily accessible (workers shouldn't have to climb down)
• Mandatory rest breaks in shade — at least 5 minutes every hour when hot
• Shade must accommodate all workers on break at once

Acclimatization

• New workers or returning workers need 1-2 weeks to acclimatize
• Start with lighter workloads and increase gradually
• Increase monitoring of new workers during heat events
• Never assign new workers alone on hot days

Recognizing heat illness

• Train all workers on signs: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion
• Buddy system — workers watch each other for symptoms
• If in doubt, get the worker to shade immediately
• Heat stroke is an emergency — call 911, cool the worker rapidly

Ladder safety procedures

Ladders are how roofers access the work area — and a major source of injuries. Document clear procedures:

Ladder selection and inspection

• Use only Type IA (extra heavy duty, 300 lb) or Type I (heavy duty, 250 lb) ladders
• Inspect before each use: rungs, rails, feet, locks, labels
• Remove damaged ladders from service immediately
• Metal ladders prohibited near electrical hazards

Ladder setup

• 4:1 ratio — base 1 foot out for every 4 feet of height
• Extend at least 3 feet above landing surface (roof edge)
• Secure top and bottom — stake, tie, or have worker hold
• Level base, use leg levelers if needed, never stack materials
• Set up away from doors, traffic areas, and overhead hazards

Ladder use

• Maintain 3-point contact at all times (two hands, one foot or two feet, one hand)
• Face the ladder when climbing and descending
• Never carry tools or materials while climbing — use tool belt or haul line
• Only one person on a ladder at a time
• Do not lean or reach — move the ladder instead

Template vs. digital handbook

Roofing crews work at different job sites every day. They need safety policies accessible wherever they are:

Frequently asked questions

What should be in a roofing company employee handbook?

A roofing company handbook should include fall protection procedures, ladder safety protocols, heat illness prevention, PPE requirements, roof access procedures, equipment operation guidelines, weather policies, emergency procedures, and OSHA compliance documentation.

What fall protection policies do roofing companies need?

OSHA requires fall protection for work at heights of 6 feet or more in construction. Roofing handbooks should cover guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, warning line systems, and safety monitoring. Workers must be trained on proper equipment use and inspection.

How should roofing companies handle heat safety?

Roofing handbooks should include heat illness prevention plans covering water availability, rest breaks in shade, acclimatization for new workers, signs and symptoms of heat illness, buddy systems, and emergency response procedures. Many states like California have specific heat illness regulations.

What OSHA training do roofers need?

Roofers need training on fall protection, ladder safety, scaffolding (if used), hazard communication for any chemicals, and equipment-specific training (nail guns, torches, lifts). Document all training with dates, topics, and worker signatures.

How do I get roofing employees to acknowledge the handbook?

Have each employee sign an acknowledgement form confirming they've received and read the handbook. For safety-critical policies like fall protection, consider requiring separate acknowledgements and periodic refresher training.