OSHA Fall Protection Regulations

While conducting some research for our next new product committee meeting – here is a list I gathered of OSHA fall protection regulations.

• Work Safe BC – Part 11 Fall Protection
• OSHA – Personal Fall Arrest System (Part I)
• OSHA – Personal Fall Arrest System (Part II)
• OSHA – Fall Protection in Construction
• OSHA – Safety Belts, Lifelines, and Lanyards
• OSHA – Fall Protection System Criteria
• OSHA – Duty to have Fall Protection
• OSHA – Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction
• CSAO – Fall Protection Information Page
• PEI Workers Compensation – Guide to Fall Protection Regulations

Feel free to post your bookmarked roofing safety sites or other related tips. What do you think about the fall protection equipment on the market right now? Could you think of how tying off would be more convient? Do you find it difficult to be tied off when working on a ladders?

Safety Tips for Roofing Tools

Roofing Tools Safety Advice from DoItYourself.com

• Air knife: You use this tool to cut thick laminate shingles. It uses compressed air, and the hook is heat-tempered. Never use this tool going toward yourself, always away. Work gloves are also a good idea when you use this piece of equipment.Hammer stapler: Instead of nails, this pneumatic tool attaches shingles with staples. Always wear textured gloves and maintain a tight grip on this tool.
• Pry bar: Wear a good set of work gloves and eye protection when you use this tool to remove shingles.
• Roofing hammer: The roofing hammer looks like a traditional hammer with a more axe-like function. Take great care to have a strong grip on this tool. As with other roofing tools, wear eye protection.
• Roofing nailer: The nailer plunges nails into wood at a high speed. This tool can easily cause serious injury. Always be certain the safety is on when you set the tool down. When you are done for the day, be certain to fasten the safety and remove the compressor hose. Wear eye protection and a helmet when you are operating a nailer.
• Shingle saw and utility knife: Used for manual cutting, these tools should always be used to cut away from you and not toward.

Source: Doityourself.com

Snow and Ice Management Systems

As of March 27 2008 Environment Canada recorded new winter snowfall records in Quebec City (517 cm), Bathurst, N.B., and Waterloo, Ont. Despite the threats of global warming there continues to be piles of snow. Government facilities, corporations, and small business are seeking snow protection to avoid dangerous consequences.

The primary buying criteria for snow guards are engineer approval, attractive aesthetic appearance and superior strength.

Sno Stop is a strong competitor in the Canadian marketplace and has been supplying snow guards for the last 15 years. We have built strong relationships with the government and many corporate accounts such as Loblaws, Canadian Tire and Walmart. Sno Stop is a complete engineered snow management system. The strength and design of Sno Stop makes it cost effective because less material is required.

Why should you invest in a Sno Stop snow and ice management system? Because we:

• Provide engineered drawings
• Make extensive load calculations
• Create and manufacturer custom designs
• Offer a 3 year warrany
• Provide a snow guard system with superior strength
• Have strong referrals from government and non-profit organizations and reputable corporations 

Click here for photos.

Visit the website for more information or contact Cam at 1-800-SNO-STOP ext. 102

Sales Support Material

One of our new reps in the United States suggested providing a sell sheet of the major roofing repair tools we distribute in the USA.

For more information on our roofing repair products or where to locate a distributor please visit the website or call Gary 1-800-352-6147 ext 106.

Avoid Fall Protection Fines and Injuries

OSHA identified six major recurring errors in fall protection. Here is the list from the least to the most popular:

6. Failing to use fall protection equipment

A plan should be implemented to wear fall protection equipment to all required jobs. This includes identifying and evaluating fall hazards, how to elimate them, and appropriate fall protection systems to control falls.  Ensure employees receive fall protection training and inspect/maintain equipment.

5. Using equipment incorrectly

Wearing fall protection is one step but it is irrelevant if the equipment is not being used correctly. For example, wearing the harnesses too loose or installing the wrong system (shock absorber vs retractable)

4. Using defective equipment

Equipment must be inspected regularly and replaced if it shows wear and tear.  A few things to look out for are fraying, deformed metal or cuts. Be aware that heat and chemicals can cause damage over time.  Use a “Smart Policy”: If in doubt, throw it out. Using defective equipment (especially a lanyard) is potentially a deadly mistake.

3. Lack of training

Lack of instruction commonly results in lack of use or misue or safety equipment. Safety directors need assure proper training is provided.

The trainer (employed by the employer) must know and be able to explain the following to workers:

• The nature of fall hazards at the work site.
• Procedures for erecting, maintaining and disassembling fall protection systems and personal fall arrest systems.
• How to use and operate fall protection systems and personal fall arrest systems.
• The role of each employee who may be affected by a safety monitoring system.
• The restrictions that apply to mechanical equipment used during roofing work.
• The procedure for handling and storing materials and for erecting protection from falling objects.
• OSHA’s fall protection standards.

2. Using unsuitable anchors

The best harness and lanyard combo cannot support a fall if unsuitable anchorages are selected. “An anchorage must support 5,000 pounds for a single tie-off point for one individual. In all cases, the free fall should be limited to 6 feet or less. An anchorage should be positioned directly overhead whenever possible to avoid a swing fall injury and anchorages should be selected based on how a rescue would be performed.”

1. Waiting for the fall

Don’t wait for a fall to occur before taking action to update or create your fall protection plan. “When identifying a fall hazard, analyze the likelihood of fatal or serious injury, as well as the amount of time employees will be exposed to the hazard.”

Source:

http://ehstoday.com/

Decra Roofing Systems acheives ISO 9001 certification

Nov 5 – Roofing Contractor Magazine reported an article “DECRA Roofing Systems, Achieves ISO 9001:2008 Certifcation“

“DECRA Roofing Systems, Inc., the leading manufacturer of stone coated steel roofing panels, announced that the company recently achieved a quality milestone by earning ISO 9001:2008 certifications. ISO 9001:2008, published on Nov. 14, 2008 is the latest edition of the International Standard. DECRA Roofing Systems’ quality systems have been continuously maintained and reviewed since 1993 when the company’s Corona facility was first certified to ISO 9001:1997; in 2003 DECRA certified to ISO 9001:2000.”

DECRA Roofing Systems is committed to providing customers with quality stone coated steel roofing systems that are used in a variety of residential and commercial applications. “Our goal is to support our customers by providing an upscale, quality product that will provide them incremental profits in a very competitive environment,” said President and CEO, Bo Hudson. “Maintaining these manufacturing standards — while providing outstanding sales and marketing support — will enable DECRA to continue leading the way in the stone coated steel market.”

DECRA Roofing Systems have been providing ageless beauty, superior performance and lasting durability for over 50 years. DECRA profiles are backed by a 50-year limited warranty, a 120 mph wind warranty, are Class 4 impact resistant, and steel is a non-combustible, Class A rated material.”

For more information on Decra Shingles visit our website or contact Paul for local (Ottawa area) inquiries 613-736-7654 ext. 114

Source:

http://www.roofingcontractor.com/

Typical Cost of Roof Repair

The following are the typical costs for a roof repair provided by the home inspector locator.

Install conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles $1.25 – $2 / sq. ft.
Strip shingles and replace with conventional shingles $2 – $3 / sq. ft
Strip shingles and replace with cedar shingles $5 – $7 per sq. ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof $4 – $6 / sq. ft.
Strip and replace single-ply membrane $4 – 6 / sq. ft.
Reflash typical chimney $300 – $500
Reflash typical skylight $300 – $500
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line $100-$200 / lin. ft.
Repoint typical chimney above roof line $20-$30 / row
Exterior Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts $3 – $5 / lin. ft.

Choose a premium roof repair tape that is guaranteed to last 10 years, easy to apply without a mess, and save you money.

Sources:

http://www.roofersworld.com/

http://www.homeinspectorlocator.com/

Top 10 OSHA Violations

The U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported the current top 10 frequently occuring workplace safety violations for 2009. Safety violations have increased almost 30 percent over the same time period in 2008.

The workplace violations are:

1. Scaffolding– 9,093 violations
Scaffold accidents most often result from the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object.

2. Fall Protection– 6,771 violations
Any time a worker is at a height of four feet or more, the worker is at risk and needs to be protected. Fall protection must be provided at four feet in general industry, five feet in maritime and six feet in construction.

3. Hazard Communication– 6,378 violations
Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers.

4. Respiratory Protection– 3,803 violations
Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases or death.

5. Lockout-Tag out– 3,321 violations
“Lockout-Tag out” refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected start up of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.

6. Electrical (Wiring)– 3,079 violations
Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.

7. Ladders– 3,072 violations
Occupational fatalities caused by falls remain a serious public health problem. The US Department of Labor (DOL) lists falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational death, accounting for eight percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma.

8. Powered Industrial Trucks– 2,993 violations
Each year, tens of thousands of injuries related to powered industrial trucks (PIT), or forklifts, occur in US workplaces. Many employees are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

9. Electrical– 2,556 violations
Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.

10. Machine Guarding – 2,364 violations
Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact injures the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled.

Source:
National Safety Council www.nsc.org
Hy-Safe Buzz http://www.hysafebuzz.com

Find Contractors and Architects that Tweet

Social media is quickly on the rise among every industry including construction!

Check out industry groups that tweet:

• Home Building
• Construction
• Architects

What about a list of roofers that tweet? A list of roofing distributors that tweet? A list of roofing safety sites that tweet? We would love you to share your lists with the roofing community.

Changing Trends in Metal Roofing

Ezine Articles has a great feed of Home Improvement: Roofing articles including everything from gutters to repair. Francis Murphy recently wrote an article about the Changing Trends in Metal Roofing.

Common perceptions of metal roofing is installing it on an old farm house or industry building. However, in recent years it has become recognized for its attractive design, attractive prices and energy conserving benefits.

“For our homes, shingle or slate roof is what we generally think of as most of the generation is brought up in that kind of homes. Now the metal roofs are available in the models that exactly replicate these kinds of roofs. If you want to go a step ahead then some of the roof manufacturers have started producing the kind of roofs that have perfect blend of the metal shingle roofs and stone. This provides a real authentic look.

If you are a fan of wooden or clay tile roofs then you also have that in the metal roofs. But the metal roofing is not only limited to the duplicating or producing carbon copy. These roofs are authenticated and have the energy star rating. These metal roofs are planned in such a way that they will multiply the effectiveness of the roof with which they reflect the light and then with less heating up smaller amount of energy is required to cool your home. So with all these advantages metal roofs are real good investment.”

Learn more about installing ice and snow management systems for your metal roof.