Appropriate safety precautions are a vital consideration for all tradies, but never more so than for contract painters who work frequently at heights.

If you have been employed to undertake a painting job that involves working on the pitched roof of a typical suburban home, then you will be putting yourself at some level of risk.

However, with an understanding of OHS principles and the right safety equipment, you can minimise the danger and feel confident that the project can be completed without any costly slips or falls.

There are a number of ways to go about securing your position and protecting you and your work partner against potential hazards.

This might include attaching a guard rail around the dangerous area and using scaffolds or elevated work platforms to gain risk-free access to the roof.

Above all it is critical to remain focused at all times and not perform actions that increase the likelihood of an avoidable accident occurring.

It is never worth compromising your own health and safety - or that of a colleague - for a fraction of saved time. Even if you are an experienced painter, it is well worth reminding yourself now and again that it only takes one misjudgement to lead to serious consequences.