[MaryMS]

Problem is the roofers may be undocumented workers who need their jobs. If the company gets cited, what happens to the workers?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by gorillarick

Yeah, I spent my career in industry - weekly safety meetings, lectures, classes. I can't believe absolutely no one wears eye protection here. Workers, both private (miniscule) companies, and TV contractors/employees using blowers, power tools, etc. etc.
And hearing protection? Unheard of.

ps: great quote from one of the wisest, one of the very few wise.

The riding lawnmowers used by the professionals are very loud and most do NOT wear ear protectors. So, in the future they will be less productive citizens. Also, because the houses are close together, the home owners get irritated by the loud noise. In an IDEAL community, the professional lawnmowers would either have large, quiet mufflers or be Electric and battery powered.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Cuervo

Look I had my roof redone a few months ago and they did a good job. I've seen a number of different companies in the area and the one thing they all have in common is there are no safety protections in place and most of workers do not speak English.
Now are these people doing the work here legally, I do not have a clue, but roofing like most business in this country, profit is the motivation. So, if they have to skirt a few precautions or turn a blind eye who their employees are to meet their goal they will do so.
Surprise, Surprise!

Safety regulations are for the good of the people working - so that they do NOT fall off of a roof. Also, the regulations are for the good of ALL society because people with permanent disabilities cost the Government and every taxpayer. Ideally, a healthy workforce SHOULD BE a benefit for ALL of America. Without adherence to laws and safety the US just becomes a 2nd class country.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MaryMS

Problem is the roofers may be undocumented workers who need their jobs. If the company gets cited, what happens to the workers?

If they are undocumented, they shouldn't be working.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Bet that none of the installers is a direct employee of the roofer and is sub contracted out.

Would that be a way to get around the law?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Would that be a way to get around the law?

No, it is against the law. The roofer needs a permit, and he/she is responsible for all workers performing the work.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jjombrello

And have you ever seen a golf course worker wearing a hard hat? Golf balls can be fatal missiles, yet the workers go unprotected whether mowing or working sand traps.

Basically, safety rules SHOULD be followed to protect the worker and to keep insurance cost down from lawsuits.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by MaryMS

Problem is the roofers may be undocumented workers who need their jobs. If the company gets cited, what happens to the workers?

Another question is what happens in the near future?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Another question is what happens in the near future?

No worries the law to hire young children for work is changing, to replace those removed.

No worries a 14-15yo has better coordination they’ll be quick to grab something before they fall off the roof. I was on a roof by age 12. I was skilled on rough carpentry and drywall by the age of 10

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I never paid much attention to roofing in TV, but I'm watching Skylight Roofing do a roofing job, right now.

6 guys on a roof, with no "Fall Protection". I've yet to hear a word of English being spoken, but that's only anecdotal and incidental.

How do these roofers get away with ignoring OSHA standards? 29 CFR 1926.501 mandates "fall protection" if you're on a roof, above 6' The only way to get around it, would be to have a site specific safety plan, that proves it's "safer not to provide fall protection" (a fairly difficult argument to make.

I can't believe their Worker's Comp Insurance Co. doesn't mandate proper safety protocols.

Happens to be a trigger point with me, as we're currently involved in a situation, where a worker fell from a roof. Worker's Comp has already paid out $272,000 and a 27 year old man, will never work again. Lucky for us, we had insurance, fall protection was in place and the worker was wearing a safety harness. Unlucky for him, the harness failed.

These roofs are fairly low pitch and one story. I don’t know what OSHA’s rule is but up in East TN they are on 10/12 & 12/12 two story roofs with no fall protection.