Fatalities on the Rise in the Roofing Industry: What’s Behind the Numbers? Frank Marino, Partner, Safety Check Inc. Fatalities in the workplace is a subject most roofmargin. A majority of the fatalities between 2011ing contractors would just as soon not talk about. 2018 involved workers between the ages of 20-44 Merely the thought of having to experience such a years of age (OSHA, 2019 – see chart on page 31). horrible event on a jobsite is enough to make the These are not the workers that are typically most seasoned roofers cringe. Unfortunately, fanew to the industry or workers who are nearing talities continue to be an everyday concern as they retirement. This age group represents workers continue to happen. Taking a look at fatality statiswho are in the prime of their careers. When I’m tics and the trends may actually surprise you. performing health and safety training for roofing For the 2018 year (OSHA runs on a fiscal year contractors and I ask the class a question regarding beginning October 1), fatalities actually increased OSHA compliance or a safe work practice, it’s more from the previous year nationwide in construction. common than not for the answer to come from one With all the emphasis on safety in the construction of the apprentices in the group. Can I assume that industry, how is this possible? Fall protection is alif the younger generation are the ones who have ways a top priority for roofing contractors on a daily a thorough understanding of health and safety basis. With the increase in fatalities over the previcompliance, then they will be more likely to comply ous year, it will continue to be a priority for OSHA as with the rules as well? Although my safety training well. Although the typical roofing contractor OSHA classroom experiences do not represent a technical 300 logs in Florida are usually compiled with soft case study in the traditional sense, they are suptissue injuries (i.e. sprained ankles, twisted knees, ported by the fatality data. What we as an industry back strains), OSHA will always focus their resourc- need to take from this information is fatalities aren’t es where the fatalities are happening. In this case happening where we may have thought, and not to that means more inspections and enforcement for limit our focus away from demographics who need fall protection violations. As indicated in the graph ongoing safety training. on this page, Fall Protection violations made up Another statistic identified in years 2011-2015 the top three most-cited standards in the roofing had to do with fatalities by working height. Some industry (Duty to have fall protection, fall protecare under the misconception that the higher the tion systems criteria and practices, and Training USRoofing Top 12 Citations 2019 TopOSHA 12 OSHA Roofing Citations - United States - – FY2019 requirements – OSHA, 4,000 2019). It’s important to note 3,495 3,500 that OSHA compliance Fall Protection violations does not tell the whole 3,000 story. In an effort to reduce fatalities, we need to take a closer look at 2,500 the statistics, specifically the statistics regarding 2,000 fatalities by age. Conventional wis1,401 1,500 dom would say it’s those 1,095 employees who have 1,000 less experience who are 755 more likely to be involved 451 in a fatality. Or, maybe 500 358 346 330 320 the older employee, who 151 132 82 may not have the physical 0 capabilities they once had? The statistics say otherwise, and by a wide 28
FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2020