b'By MRCA Director Nick Bechtel As roofers, I am sure we all agree that safety is an impor this dilemma with our project foreman and field superintentant issue in our industry today.With the recent increasesdent, we determined that our laborld be doubled in the wouin OSHA fines for violations, and the increases in insuranceperimeter area; and since the roof in question is 8,600 sq., rates and workman\'s compensation, we can\'t afford tothis amounted to a considerable addition to our contract.In ignore safety.But when a customer\'s safety requirementprior projects, perimeter monitors could feed materials to endangers a worker\'s health and well-being, I have to askthe craftsman:but in this case the monitor\'s sole responsimyself:"How safe is safety?"bility was to hold the safety line, giving out and taking in slack in order to keep the line out of the craftsman\'s way. Our company was recently awarded a contract for a largeThis meant an additional man was needed to keep perimere-roof project at a government facility.The specificationter workers supplied with materials and equipment.A loss was to remove the existing built-up roof to the metal deckof productivity was also calculated because the craftsman\'s insulation, and afreedom ofwas now restricted. and install a vapor barrier, one layer of movement four-ply pitch roof system.At the pre-construction meeting, I was given a request for a proposal titled "FallAt the present time, we are still in negotiations for this cost Protection."This request stated that any craftsman work proposal.Our estimated additional hours do not agree with ing outside the warning line (1 O\' in from roof edge) musttheirs.(Isn\'t that always the case!)We have drawn up wear a safety harness with a safety line anchored to thecharts to show exactly how we arrived at our numbers and roof.The intended purpose of the harness and line was towe have produced drawings and sketches to show our proprevent the man from stepping off the edge ofhe roof. t posed method of execution.Hopefully, this dilemma will be resolved soon.Until it is, we cannot start work. Myreaction to this new safety requirement was company\'s to inform them ofdangers involved with working with theSimply put, our feeling in this situation is that the "harness \\_.?t materials while wearing a safety line.For example, aand safety line" proposal is a dangerous requirement in the worst case scenario would be a man getting tangled in thename of safety.Good competent roofers know at all times line, then tripping and falling into the hot bitumen.Prior towhere they are at on a roof, and they never back-up when this project, the safety procedure used was a one-to-oneworking on a roof.We feel the one-to-on~ monitoring sysmonitoring system.For every craftsman working outsidetem is the safest procedure when it comes to handling the warning line, another one was required inside the warn perimeter area work.We continue to try to convince the ing line to monitor his approach to the edge.This systemcustomer of this, but it an uphill battle.I encourage all of was used on a project we just completed at the same facili you to be aware ofhis safety requirement possibility on tty, and no accidents occurred.jobs you bid - regardless ofit is a government prowhether ject or not.To the best of my knowledge, this is not Pricing this new safety requirement was not a simple mat required by OSHA.It is the customer\'s"safety" requireter.We had never done work under this kind of require ment. ment, so we had no historical data to follow.In discussing DON\'T MISS THE MRCA CONVENTIONTHEMEPARTY Over the years, MRCA Convention Theme Parties havedance music.Not only that, a professional Dance Caller become positively legendary, and this year\'s event promis will be on hand to lead you and other partiers in a variety of es to continue this grand tradition!You won\'t want to missline dances, square dances, and dancing games. this year\'s party which highlights the natural beauty and activities associated with the North Woods of Minnesota.But wait, there\'s more!Certainly to be the highlight of the party will be the indoorrout pond where you can try t your In addition to indulging in an excellent buffet-style dinner ofluck at catching one oflive trout!That\'s right -over 150 local and regional specialties, you will enjoy a number ofMinnesota\'s favorite outdoor activity has been brought \\,,,itertaining activities, including "log jousting," scavengerinside the comfortable confines of the Minneapolis nunts, "Nerf" archery, and caricature artists.There willConvention Center. also be a DJ throughout the evening to play your favorite'