How to Safely Walk on a Metal Roof - Tips and Tricks

Understanding on how to properly walk on a metal roof is very important for installers and even homeowners. Navigating a metal roof safely can be difficult especially when the metal panels are wet from rain or condensation which makes them extremely slippery. For this reason, it is not even recommended to avoid walking until the metal rooftop is completely dry.

Proper Footwear for Working on Metal Roofing Without Slipping

While there are advanced fall protection equipment one can and should use in order to prevent accidents, the most important piece of equipment for walking safely is proper rubber footwear. Soft rubber shoes that do not have completely flat soles allow the ability to grip the roof's surface and provide the most friction. Rigid work boots lack flexibility; a flexible shoe means the toes can exert pressure to assist with getting a good grip. This is why you will often see a roofing professional with sneakers or tennis shoes when installing a metal roof so they can avoid slipping. If you see a worker with flip flops then you probably hired the wrong company!

Can You Damage a Metal Roof by Walking on it?

Another benefit when you wear rubber soled shoes is that it helps protect the metal surface from paint damage. For standing seam and metal tile, it is necessary to place the feet on the flat portion and not the seams or ridges in order to avoid denting them. Significant foot traffic will cause roof damage that is visible to the customer.

Proceed with Caution

So can you walk on a metal roof? Yes by using rubber soled shoes; however, other fall protection equipment is also recommended. A safety rope and safety harness properly mounted to the ridge will catch you if you slip. Even with soft soled shoes, you still need to walk slowly to avoid an unfortunate accident. Make sure to double check the safety equipment for possible defects and confirm that the fall protection system has the correct rope length to keep you from hitting the ground.

There Are No Best Practices for Walking on a Metal Roof Without Slipping

Generally speaking, other than using extreme caution, there are no other precautionary measures for safely walking on a metal roof apart from what has been mentioned. Make sure your roofing contractor is properly insured. If an accident happens and the contractor does not have the necessary insurance, the homeowner can be held liable for the damages.

Important Things to Consider for Walking on Metal Roofs

Any worker on a roof should wear proper footwear and use fall equipment in order to protect themselves and avoid injury. Apart from sound safety procedure, anyone walking on a metal roof should also try their best to avoid damaging the roof as well. A standing seam metal roof has vertical seams that can be damaged if a person puts their full weight on them, possibly bending them which would result in comprising the seal under the seam. To walk on a standing seam metal roof without damaging it, you would need to place your foot on the flat portion using the proper footwear with rubber soles. The metal should also be as dry as possible.

Metal tiles are very often the opposite. It is important to place the foot on the portion that has no gap between the metal and the deck otherwise you will dent the raised portion with your weight. Metal tiles which have stone-coating will also have their granules removed with too much friction so it is important to walk in such a way as to limit the sliding of the foot.