One misstep and things can go south when you’re up on the roof fixing shingles. This is especially true for steep roofs in wet conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) mandates that all roofing crews have access to fall prevention, whether a guard rail or a safety harness. This precaution might help prevent falls but doesn’t always help you move around on sloping surfaces. For this, you’ll need a wooden platform to stand on, and for a platform, you’ll need roof brackets.
What are Roof Brackets and How Do They Work?
Roof brackets are specialized mounting equipment used to support temporary wooden platforms on sloped roofs. They’re also known as roof jacks. Brackets hold work platforms in place to create a flat surface where workers can stand during roofing jobs.
Will a safety bracket work on roofs with very steep slopes? Yes! Brackets are often triangular, with one side that fits snugly to the roof and the other facing outwards at an angle. This allows workers to lay the walking platforms completely flat. Maintaining level platforms is important for OSHA compliance.
When To Use Roof Brackets and When to Skip Them
Roof brackets are designed for sloping roofs. You’ll need them if your workers plan to use wooden platforms during the project. They are most beneficial for steep-slope roofs (anything over 5:12). They won’t serve much purpose on low-slope roofs unless you need the platform space to hold materials. You don’t need roof brackets for already walkable flat roofs.
You can use roof brackets on tile, shingle, asphalt, clay, slate, and wooden roofs. Always check the manufacturer’s guide to make sure you buy the correct bracket for your roof.
Choosing the Right Roof Brackets for Your Roof Type
There is no universal safety bracket that will work on roofs of different materials. You can only use those designed for metal on metal roofs. Here’s which brackets work best for each roof type.
Standing Seam Metal Roofs
You can’t use nail-in roof brackets on a metal roof—the risk of water leaks is too high. Instead, you’ll need a roof jack that clamps onto the roof without leaving any holes. This type of bracket will clamp the metal seams between two plates bolted together during use. The Ultimate Bracket from Metal Plus is an example of a roof jack specifically designed for standing seam roofs.
Shingle or Slate Roofs
You can use a jack that nails into the rafters for traditional shingle roofs. These brackets are simply constructed and take just a few penny nails to lock in place. If you’re working with clay or asphalt shingles, you can use any roof jack, but slate is a different story. Slate is very brittle and easily damaged, so make sure you get roof brackets that don’t put pressure on the material.
Wood Shake Roofs
Cedar shake roofs are similar to shingles but with a much thicker profile. So, how do you know which safety bracket will work for roofs with wooden shakes? Look for something with longer fasteners, giving you more room between the bracket and the rafter. This allows you to secure the roof brackets without cracking the shake. Extra width is also welcome when selecting a board for your platform.
Fixed vs Adjustable Roof Brackets
The slope is another factor when choosing roof brackets for your roofing project. As we mentioned earlier, the angle of the roof bracket matters—this is what helps you create a flat standing surface. Fixed roof brackets are made for a single pitch. Adjustable roof brackets can be changed to accommodate different roof pitches.
Adjustable brackets are better for professional roofers. They are more versatile and can be used on many different buildings. If you only do roof work on one building (i.e. your house), a single, fixed-slope roof bracket should be fine.
How to Install a Safety Platform Using Roof Brackets
OSHA has very specific requirements for platforms and safety systems on roofs. This is to protect workers from injury while working at heights. Here’s how to install compliant wooden platforms using roof brackets.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
To install a roof jack or bracket on an asphalt roof, start by locating the rafters. You can do this by looking for screws at the edge of the roof. Rafters are usually placed between 16 and 24 inches apart—this is where you want to put your brackets. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, lift the asphalt and nail the bracket into the wood. Then, place your plank over the brackets and screw it into place.
Slate and Wood Shake Roofs
Slate and wood shake roofs also call for nail-in roof brackets. For shake roofs, use a tool to lift the corners of the wood slightly and nail the brackets into the rafters. Be extra careful not to crack the wood. Slate is also handle-with-care—nail the brackets into the roof between panels and avoid stepping on the slate when possible.
Metal Roofs
You will need a specially-made safety bracket that will work on roofs with no shingles. Align the brackets with the seams of the roof, taking care to keep them centered. Clamp them over the metal and bolt or screw them into place to the manufacturer’s specifications. Once they are securely in place, attach the wooden plank to create your platform, adjusting the angle to the roof slope.
Introducing the Ultimate Bracket from Metal Plus
Standing seam roofs cannot be nailed into like traditional shingle or slate roofs. That’s why they need special attachments that don’t leave any holes. Metal Plus designs highly specialized roof brackets and anchors exclusively for standing seam roofs. Our Ultimate Bracket is a lightweight, fully adjustable roof bracket rated for 300 lbs, wet or dry.
- Easy installation – simply clamp on the bracket using one hand.
- No roof damage – rubber pads to prevent scratching the sheet metal.
- Strong and adjustable – adjusts between 3/12 to 24/12 slope, one degree at a time.
- OSHA-compliant – creates a secure, level walking platform for workers.
For more information about our metal roofing products, please contact us.