Safety
how to climb your roof safely
Follow our step-by-step guide to doing roof maintenance safely.
While it’s not necessarily wise to get up on your roof, there may be times when you need to make the climb to fix a slipped or broken tile or clean up tree debris, for instance.So here’s a step-by-step guide to make sure it all goes without a hitch.
A safety harness may seem over the top,but one slip could have drastic consequences.
Even if you’re only up there briefly removing a branch, five minutes spent securing safety is priceless.

Gather your supplies
- Ladder suitable for wall height
- Safety harness
- 700kg breaking strain rope
- Soft-sole tennis shoes
here’s how


Step 2: When on a roof, you need to wear a harness connected to a securely anchored safety rope. Throw rope with at least 700kg breaking strain right over roof.
Step 3: Tie rope to a structural part of house or a tree. (Don’t be tempted to tie it to the car’s tow ball in case someone drives off with you attached!) Use a bowline knot that is strong but easy to undo.
Step 4: Ask the supplier at outlet to explain how to put on harness and have it adjusted to fit properly. You put harness on by stepping through leg loops, then place it over your shoulders with D-ring at back. Do up chest buckle. The lanyard, which connects harness to safety rope, is fixed to D-ring and must be at top, centred between your shoulders.
Step 5: Climb ladder, reach out and pull on rope so it is taut. Tie an overhand loop or simple loop knot.

don’t have acrobat? download it here
don’t have acrobat? download it here