OSHA-related Safety is #1 Concern for Commercial Roofing Company

Kirberg Company pays special attention to every detail on every roofing project to insure that its staff is as safe as possible.

Of primary concern is strictly adhering to those obligations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration (OSHA) for commercial roofing. OSHA is an agency of the United States Department of Labor that was created in the 70's to prevent work-related injuries and occupational fatalities by issuing and enforcing rules and regulations that make the private work sector safer.

In 2009, four of the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA violations were directly related to commercial roofing, including: scaffolding requirements, fall protection and training, and ladder requirements. Out of numerous possible violations, scaffolding was first and fall protection was second. In 2008, more than 1,200 scaffolding-related citations were issued with more than $1.1 million in penalties. Clearly it is a common safety violation, as well as a financially burdensome one.

Additionally, fall protection takes center stage in commercial roofing safety, as falls are one of the leading causes of death in commercial industries. According to the National Safety Council, over 6,000 people die from falls each year caused by such factors as falling off roofs and ladders. And to emphasize the importance of safety in the commercial roofing industry - more than 30,000 people are injured annually as a result of falls involving ladders.

However, Kirberg has a tremendous track record and earned an Experienced Modification Rate (EMR) of 0.70. EMR is a formula that compares a company's workers compensation claims to other employers of similar size operating in the same type of business. All employers start with an EMR of 1.0. If your experience is 20% better than average your EMR would be a .80, or if it is 20% worse than it would be 1.20. The rate is used as a means for judging a company's safety record. Because of Kirberg's extensive training and education programs, they have created a skilled work-force that has been able to achieve such a low rate after 90 years of commercial roofing.

"We invest in safety programs and equipment on the front end that protect our workforce," said Eric Kirberg, vice president, Kirberg Company. "In addition, a carefully managed safety plan allows us to bring a job in on time and budget with little need to backtrack, attracts better workers, limits negative publicity for ourselves or our clients that could arise from accidents, and puts us in much better favor with OSHA. Our safety record builds credibility and trust and is worth every penny."

Kirberg makes no sacrifices when it comes to being properly trained and supplied with the most advanced safety equipment and procedures in commercial roofing.

And their peers have recognized their excellence, also. Kirberg has been chosen for the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) safety award five times. In addition, they are annually honored for safety by the Associated General Contractors (ACG) St. Louis chapter, as well as being runner-up for the ACG national award for safety - making Kirberg the second safest contractor in the country!

As a commercial roofing company, Kirberg is always striving to stay ahead of the OSHA fall protection provisions. And, in doing so, Kirberg has extensively studied the provisions and guidelines, and has summarized them in regards to commercial roofing and roofing contractors.

In order to prevent falls and make the work place safer, the OSHA has created specific guidelines to follow, and they are listed below in regards to commercial roofing:

• The employer shall determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely.
• Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
• Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes, as well as being protected from objects falling through holes.
• Each employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system, warning line system and safety net system, or warning line system and personal fall arrest system, or warning line system and safety monitoring system. Or, on roofs 50-feet (15.25 m) or less in, the use of a safety monitoring system alone [i.e. without the warning line system] is permitted.
• Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

For complete OSHA fall protection regulations visit: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10757