Role guide · Roofer
A roof squares every outdoor-kit problem: more wind than anywhere on site, nowhere to shelter, kneeling as a working position, and the consequences of a slip measured in storeys. Kit choices up there are safety choices wearing comfort's clothes.
The list
| Item | Spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Footwear | S3, aggressive SR sole, flexible forefoot | Grip on wet tile and crawl boards is the primary PPE up here |
| Trousers | Stretch ripstop, EN 14404 knees | Tile work is knee work; stiff fabric fights the ladder |
| Layers | Wicking base + windproof softshell + EN 343 shell | Roof wind makes 8 °C feel like 2 — windproofing first |
| Hi-vis | Per site — vest or Class 3 jacket | Scaffold and street interface below |
| Helmet | Chinstrap-retained style favoured at height | An EN 397 lid that blows off protects nobody — the helmet guide |
| Gloves | Grippy coated; EN 407 pair for torch-on | Handling tile and lead vs handling flame are two pairs |
| Harness kit | Employer-provided, worn over clothing | Clothing stays trim so the harness sits right |
The specifics
Ground-level layering logic underestimates roofs: wind is the multiplier, stripping heat through fleece that would be fine in the yard. The roof answer is windproofing early — softshell over base layer — with the waterproof shell for actual rain, because roof work in real rain usually stops for the same reason the tiles are slippery.
Harness compatibility quietly shapes the wardrobe: bulky insulated jackets bunch under straps and hide the fit check, so roofers run trim layers under the harness and put warmth in the base and mid layers instead. Torch-on and hot works add the flame layer: an EN 407-rated glove, natural-fibre or FR outer near the torch, and the melt-layer rule from the FR hub applying to whatever's underneath.
Details
Questions
S3 boots with an aggressive slip-rated sole and a flexible forefoot — grip on wet tile, membrane and crawl boards is the primary spec, and a stiff sole fights the footwork. Tread condition gets inspected like the safety equipment it is.
Windproofing before insulation: wicking base layer, windproof softshell, and a waterproof shell for real weather — roof wind doubles the effective cold, and bulky coats fight the harness. Warm gloves that still grip, and a helmet-compatible beanie, finish it.
Work at height favours chinstrap-retained climbing-style helmets (EN 12492) that stay on in a fall or gust, and many roofing contractors now specify them over traditional EN 397 lids. The site or employer's rules make the final call — check before buying.
Everything on the list is stocked and embroiderable — one order, one account.