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Roof Safety During Phoenix Summer: Why Timing Your Roofing Project Matters for Worker Protection

When Phoenix Summer Heat Meets Roofing Projects: Why Timing Could Save Lives

Phoenix summers are notoriously brutal, with temperatures regularly soaring above 110°F and roof surfaces reaching a scorching 150°F or higher. For homeowners planning roofing projects, understanding the critical importance of timing isn’t just about comfort—it’s literally a matter of life and death for the workers who will be protecting your home.

The Reality of Phoenix Heat: A Life-Threatening Challenge

Over 600 Maricopa County citizens died from extreme heat in 2023—nearly 400 in Phoenix alone, highlighting the severity of the city’s heat crisis. Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation leads the efforts of the hottest large city in the United States to fight the growing hazard of urban heat. For roofing workers, these statistics represent more than numbers—they reflect the daily dangers they face while working on exposed rooftops under the relentless Arizona sun.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that thousands of workers suffer from heat-related illnesses each year, and dozens of heat stroke fatalities occur on the job annually. Construction workers, including those in roofing, make up about one-third of those fatalities. This sobering reality underscores why timing your roofing project matters so much.

Phoenix’s New Worker Protection Laws: A Game-Changer

Recognizing the severity of heat-related dangers, Phoenix’s City Council unanimously passed a heat safety ordinance Tuesday in order to better protect outdoor workers in the city from the sweltering Arizona heat. In response to elevated temperatures and increased heat-related illnesses and death, the city will adopt an ordinance effective 30 days from Tuesday requiring employers with outdoor workers to have a heat safety plan on record.

This groundbreaking ordinance requires contractors working on city projects to implement comprehensive safety measures, including:

The Science of Heat Acclimatization: Why New Workers Are Most at Risk

Most outdoor fatalities, 50% to 70%, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization.

Professional roofing companies understand this critical period. NIOSH recommends that a non-acclimatized roofing professional should work for no more than 20 percent of a usual workday on their first day. You can increase this time by 20 percent, maximum, every day until new workers are keeping pace with acclimatized workers.

Strategic Timing: When to Schedule Your Phoenix Roofing Project

Smart homeowners understand that timing their roofing project can significantly impact worker safety and project success. In The Woodlands, late May through June is often the sweet spot for summer roof replacements. While humidity starts to climb, temperatures haven’t yet reached their mid-summer highs, and storm activity tends to be less intense than in July or August. This principle applies equally to Phoenix, where early summer scheduling can be crucial.

The 5 a.m. start time in the summer help crews get more work done before the heat turns oppressive. Professional roofers have adapted their schedules, with many companies beginning work before dawn to maximize safe working hours. Consider working early mornings or late evenings when the heat is not as bad.

For example, empower supervisors and workers to slow down physical activity like reducing manual handling speeds or scheduling work for the morning or shorter shifts with frequent rest breaks in the shade or at least away from heat sources.

Roofing All Stars: Leading by Example in Worker Safety

When choosing a roofing contractor in the Phoenix area, it’s essential to work with companies that prioritize worker safety. Roofing All Stars LLC is a market leader in roofing and building services, with a local history serving Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding areas. Roofing All Stars is a full-service residential roofing contractor serving Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert and the surrounding areas.

The company demonstrates its commitment to excellence through comprehensive safety practices. From new construction and additions to unique roofing projects including skylight structures and structured steel systems, All Stars approaches each commercial/industrial project with a focus on safety and long-term reliability. We are well known for quality workmanship, safety standards, excellent job site cleanup, and a friendly professional crew.

When searching for experienced roofers phoenix residents can trust, companies like Roofing All Stars understand that worker safety directly impacts project quality and customer satisfaction.

Heat Safety Best Practices Every Homeowner Should Know

As a responsible homeowner, understanding heat safety protocols can help you ensure your chosen contractor is adequately protecting their workers:

The Bottom Line: Safety First Saves Lives

As employers, it is our responsibility to prioritize the health and safety of our workers by implementing effective heat illness prevention measures. For homeowners, this means choosing contractors who understand that “It also makes good business sense for us to have and implement a heat response plan” as Phoenix’s heat mitigation director noted.

The timing of your roofing project in Phoenix isn’t just about convenience—it’s about ensuring the safety of the hardworking professionals who protect your most valuable investment. By scheduling work during cooler months, choosing early morning hours, and selecting contractors committed to comprehensive heat safety protocols, you’re not just getting a quality roof; you’re helping protect the lives of the workers who make it possible.

Remember, “Extreme heat is Phoenix’s natural disaster”, and responsible roofing project timing is one of our most effective defenses against this ongoing threat.

@2021 By Jonathan Meade