Did you Know?

Perspectives
A Quarterly Information Source from Benchmark, Inc.
Volume 55 February 2006

Did you Know?

Roofing Safety - 2005 in Review

From October 2004 to October 2005, OSHA made 10,305 jobsite inspections, and issued 31,141 violation citations for a total of $24,568,131 in fines.

Of this total, 51% of the citations involved fall protection, scaffolding and ladders; all associated with standards commonly used in the roofing industry. The top four OSHA violations in the construction industry are:

1. Scaffolding

2. Fall protection scope / application

3. Ladders

4. Fall protection training

Although fall protection scope / application was listed as number two in violations, it was the top inspected standard by OSHA. It appears that OSHA is spending more time inspecting for this violation than any other construction standard.

Most contract documents clearly place the responsibility for jobsite safety with the contractor. We as consultants and owners should not take on the responsibility for means and methods, but that doesn’t mean we should not do everything we can to promote and ensure jobsite safety. The next time you interview a contractor or consultant, ask where they stand on safety and what they are doing to make your next roofing project as safe as possible.