Siding & Gutter Installers

Siding and gutter crews spend most of the day on ladders, pump jacks and roof edges, frequently near the overhead power lines that feed the house.

• Construction
• Residential

Top hazards

• Falls from ladders, pump jack scaffolds and roof edges
• Contact with the service drop and nearby power lines, especially carrying long gutters and aluminum ladders
• Cuts from metal siding and gutters
• Silica from cutting fiber cement siding
• Nail gun injuries

Key practices

• Use fiberglass ladders and look up before moving ladders and long materials. Stay 10+ feet from lines.
• Set up pump jacks per the manufacturer, with guardrails or personal fall arrest.
• Use ladder standoffs instead of leaning on gutters.
• Cut fiber cement with shears or a saw with dust collection. See Silica.
• Wear cut-resistant gloves and safety glasses.

The service drop

The wire that runs from the utility pole to the house is the service drop. Its insulation is not designed to protect you, and it often runs right across the area where siding and gutters are installed. Many siding and gutter deaths happen when an aluminum ladder or a long gutter section touches it.

• Find the service drop before you unload the truck.
• Carry ladders and gutters horizontally and look up while moving them.
• Ask the utility to cover or temporarily disconnect the drop if you must work close to it.

Seamless gutter machines

Gutter forming machines on trucks have rollers that can catch fingers and gloves. Keep guards in place, use the stop switch before reaching in, and get help handling long sections, which can whip in wind.

Old siding

• Some older cement siding shingles contain asbestos. Don’t break, saw or power wash them without testing. See Asbestos.
• Old painted wood siding may have lead paint. Use lead-safe practices. See Lead.

Job start checklist

• Service drop and nearby lines located
• Fiberglass ladders with standoffs
• Pump jacks or scaffolds set up and inspected
• Fall protection plan for roof edges
• Dust-controlled cutting for fiber cement
• Old siding checked for asbestos or lead
• Cut-resistant gloves and glasses on

Last updated: October 1, 2026