Probably one of the most dangerous construction jobs is that of the roofer. Working in high places on a sometimes slippery roof, they are often subjected to windy conditions and the forces of nature. The roofing industry and local governments are aware of this, and have set standards and good practices in place to insure both the safety of the roofer and the homeowner. These regulations are made from years of experience in the industry. Knowing the codes and regulations for your specific locale is of the utmost importance to you. Here, we discuss rules and regulations, and common sense knowledge for those who are concerned about safety in a roofing project.
The National Roofing Contractors Association
The NRCA is an organization that provides information and guidelines for the roofing industry. They provide services for consumers, including advisory bulletins, guidelines for selecting a roofing contractor, an online search for a contractor and a roofing qualification statement form. In addition, they have a technical database to help consumers find out just about anything they need to know about roofing and the industry. Their mission is to help homeowners and building owners make informed decisions about maintaining or replacing their roof system. It is a good idea to check them out when considering a roofing project. One of their biggest recommendations is to not buy roofing materials from one source, and then hire outside help to have the roof installed. Because roofs today are so complex, a roofer should know everything about the materials he will use as he possibly can. If a crew is hired to install materials that they are unfamiliar with, then accidents can happen because the roofers are not familiar with the roofing materials used.
