Roofing work sometimes involves the use of hot bitumen. The bitumen material can be coal tar pitch, rubberized asphalt, or roofing asphalt. The majority of built-up roofing applications use roofing asphalt.

The handling of hot bitumen in a tanker or kettle, transporting it to the roof and applying it can be a hazardous operation. Many of the injuries are caused by the improper handling of hot bituminous materials, operating the kettle, carrying or hoisting the hot bitumen or when pouring and mopping it on the roof surface.