First, describe the work and worksite
A roofing crew removes old shingles and underlayment from one surveyed steep-slope roof section, exposing its deck for inspection. Access, fall protection and controlled debris lowering are established before stripping. New shingles, structural deck repair and the setup of a debris chute are separately planned operations. This fictional learning example describes planned controls; it records no actual inspection or work authorization.
- Partial shingle tear-off coverage: progressive removal to deck on a steep roof; not low-slope membrane removal or new shingle installation.
- A competent preparatory survey releases the materials and existing roof condition, including suspected hazardous materials and hidden damage.
- Protected access, a suitable fall-protection system, rescue, roof-load limits, a closed area below and an accepted disposal route are in place.
Questions before work
- How will worker protection remain effective when shingles and retaining nails are removed beneath the work area?
- Which roof conditions require withdrawal rather than walking onto newly exposed decking?
- How much roofing can be opened and cleared before weather or temporary protection becomes a constraint?
Build the analysis one step at a time
What will the worker do? How could someone be harmed? What prevents or reduces that exposure? Who checks the control, and when?
1. Release the roof section and stripping plan
Hazard: Hidden roof weakness or hazardous old materials can invalidate the removal method.
Control: Review the preparatory survey, material assessment and structural limits. Define the strip area, debris route and weather window with the responsible people; keep suspect or unstable areas closed until a revised plan is accepted.
Verification: Roof lead records the survey release, removal boundary and stop conditions before access.
Why this belongs in the analysis: An apparently intact shingle surface may conceal a deck that cannot support the stripping crew.
2. Establish continuous protected access
Hazard: Workers can fall during access or when a temporary support or anchor is disturbed.
Control: Verify the actual steep-roof fall-protection arrangement, anchors, access and rescue before stepping onto the roof. Protect openings and close below; maintain protection through removal and never rely on a warning line alone as the steep-roof method.
Verification: Competent person checks access and protection before work and whenever the stripping sequence changes them.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Removing roofing must not remove the support or secure path that the crew depends on.
3. Strip a manageable section
Hazard: Prying tools, loose shingles and exposed nails can destabilize footing or injure workers.
Control: Work in the agreed progression from protected positions with controlled stripping tools. Keep materials and nails out of the footing route, maintain separation between workers and stop at any soft deck or newly exposed opening.
Verification: Lead checks footing and the newly exposed deck as each small section is opened.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A manageable work face limits the amount of hidden deck risk exposed at once.
4. Contain and lower sharp roofing debris
Hazard: Loose debris can slide downslope, strike people or overload the roof staging point.
Control: Collect stripped roofing in the accepted restrained containers or disposal arrangement. Keep the drop zone closed and stage no more than the roof and system allow; use the accepted lowering route rather than throwing material over the edge.
Verification: Crew checks roof loading, restraint and lower-area clearance before each debris transfer.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Removing old roofing can concentrate its weight at a new point before it leaves the building.
5. Inspect the revealed deck and protect defects
Hazard: A bare deck may contain holes, rot and protruding fasteners that were hidden during planning.
Control: Clear authorized remnants and inspect from secure positions. Mark and protect unsound areas and openings, remove or control sharp fasteners and refer structural defects for separately approved repair; do not bridge them with loose roofing.
Verification: Roof lead records deck findings and the boundaries that remain closed to the next crew.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A stripped roof is an inspection result, not automatic acceptance for loading or re-roofing.
6. Secure the section and hand over
Hazard: Unprotected decking or incomplete cleanup can expose occupants and the replacement crew.
Control: Implement the accepted temporary weather protection without defeating fall controls. Clear the roof and ground routes, retain necessary barriers and record deck defects, protection and the separate release required for new roofing.
Verification: Supervisor documents the exposed section, temporary condition and next-operation handoff.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The removal crew must leave a controlled roof condition even if new roofing starts later.
What does a useful control look like?
| Needs improvement | More useful for this scenario |
|---|---|
| Work carefully and wear PPE. | Work in the agreed progression from protected positions with controlled stripping tools. Keep materials and nails out of the footing route, maintain separation between workers and stop at any soft deck or newly exposed opening. |
| Check that everything is ready. | Review the preparatory survey, material assessment and structural limits. Define the strip area, debris route and weather window with the responsible people; keep suspect or unstable areas closed until a revised plan is accepted. |
Decisions that change the analysis
Why is this separate from the low-slope tear-off example?
Loose shingles and sharp nails are removed on a sloping work surface while protection remains effective through changing footing and exposed deck. The published low-slope membrane tear-off expressly excludes steep roofs.
What must the crew record for actual use?
Identify the actual equipment and work boundaries, responsible people, applicable criteria, inspection findings and open actions. Resolve changes with affected crews and obtain required project authorization before work.
Agree when the crew will pause
- Stop for suspect materials, roof movement, soft decking, hidden openings or ineffective fall protection.
- Pause for unsafe weather, a closed debris route becoming accessible or excessive roof staging loads.
- Structural deck repair, chute assembly and new shingle installation require their own releases.
After a pause, correct the condition, reassess the work, and obtain required authorization before restarting. Keep unresolved actions visible.
Download the worked example and free template
No account required. The worked example contains planned controls. The blank template is for your own work; neither includes fabricated inspection results, signatures or approval.
Your editable working copy
Build and download your draft
Start blank or load the learning example. Replace its assumptions with your actual conditions and involve the people doing the work. Your entries stay in this browser tab; download a copy before leaving or refreshing.
1. Describe your work and site
2. Work through each task
Describe an observable step, how someone could be harmed, and the control that acts on that hazard. Identify who checks it and what evidence is needed.
3. Record changes, checks, and open actions
Walk the work area, review with the crew, and resolve missing controls. Follow the required approval process. This tool does not judge completeness, verify signatures or authorize work.
Open the downloaded file in a browser, then use Print → Save as PDF for a printable copy.
Training needs to confirm
- Verify steep-roof fall-protection training and demonstrate continuous access, anchor protection and the rescue arrangement.
- Practice progressive stripping, weak-deck recognition and controlled sharp-debris handling within the accepted roof-load limits.
Confirm applicable qualifications, task instruction and actual training evidence for the people assigned. Related toolbox talks support toolbox talks; they do not establish competence.
Common questions
Can this example be used as a JSA?
Adapt its Task | Hazard | Control analysis to the employer’s format and actual conditions. The example is a teaching aid, not evidence that controls were checked.
What changes if the project requires an AHA?
Use the governing AHA format, risk method, supporting records and acceptance process. The published formwork AHA demonstrates that additional structure; changing a JHA title does not supply it.
Are these resources part of a paid course?
This walkthrough, browser draft builder and downloads are free public resources, separate from Academy course enrollment.
References and source note
- OSHA Protecting roofing workers: tear-off and steep-roof hazards
- OSHA 1926.850 Demolition preparatory operations
- OSHA 1926.501 Duty to have fall protection
- OSHA 1926.25 Housekeeping
Original instructional scenario with planned controls. Primary references support hazard planning. Use actual equipment and product instructions, project design and employer requirements to establish field criteria. This example supplies no inspection findings or work authorization. Use actual equipment instructions and site requirements alongside these references. Reference review: October 9, 2026.