b'e wsfromth eNat i onal Washington is that we\'ll see signif Health (NIOSH) released its longrr,cNATIONALicant moderation in the activities ofawaited Hazard Review Document ~IiiROORNGtheregulatory agencies. Republi for asphalt fumes.The document D[IJD~=: 1cans who head the Department ofdescribes the inconclusive science 200 tobeLabor and the Environmental Pro on the subject of whether asph alt tection Agency will be more cau fumesareharmfultoh ns; it umatiousinpromulgatingnewconcludes,however,thatroofing regulations, taking moreasphalt fumes are "potential seriouslyoccuWilliam A. Good, GAEmore competitive and challengingthe cost-benefit analyses that fed pational carcinogens."ThisfindExecutive Vice Presidentthan the last three or four. We lookeralWe will be able toinghave no immediate impact law requires.will National Roofing Contractors Associationfor totalindustry sales tobe flatworkwithOSHAorEPA muchon roofing contr tor but it may ac s, we compared with 2000, andthinkmore effectively.trigger additional regulatory activ2000will wind up being only mod It\'s even possible that the n ity, especiallythe s e level. ewattatestly better than 1999-primarilyCongress might succeed inIn the roofing industry delay manufacThe good news herebecauseofpriceincreasesofing implementation of OSHA\'s mostturing community, J ille ohns Manvinstalledroofs.Weseethefirstrecentatrocity-itsergonomicsCorp.(JM)completedits sale to is that the worstquarter asbeingmost likely thestandard. It does not apply to con Berkshirehaway (WarrenBufHatrawmost difficult-with the economystruction employers in its currentDecember. ofmaterial pricefett\'s company) in late picking up only after there is someform,butitisclearthatOSHAJMassuresroofing contractors increases areeasingofinterestrates,withtheintendstobroadenitsscopethatits operations willremainin probably behind us.effects most likely felt in the sec sometime in the future.Althoughplace as is.the parentGAF Also,of ond and third quarters.the standard will notto mostMaterialsCorp.G-1Holdings, apply Price pressures will continue onmembers, the report is worth read filed for asbestos-relatedChapter I alfronts. Roofing material manu ingtobecomefamiliarwiththe11protection,andshortly therefacturers, many of whom were hurtonerous nature of the new rule.afterfiledracketeeringcharges badly in 2000 by raw material priceInthe Departmentagainst three prom asbestos early January,inent increases,willcontinue totry toof Labor issued new Davis-B plaintiff\'sattorneys.GAFreports acon passthoseincreasesthrough regulations, which were the sub business as usualforitsroofing but that will bemore difficult asject of atissued tooperation NRCA will continue to special repor wes. competitivepressuresintensify.NRCA members. In e the newmonitor industry and government ffect, Thegoodnewshereisthat therules makeit toughertoclassifyconditions, and keep its members worstofrawmaterialpriceworkersas"helpers"onDavis up to date through the year. out increases are probably behind us,Bacon projects. and we may begin to see some le AlsoinearlyJanuary,weTennessee Roofing veling off, for example,roofingreceivedwordthatOSHAheadContractors have Outstanding with asphalt prices.Charles Jeffress was consideringllfeeting Contractors can also expect torescinding the Interim ComplianceContinued from page 6 seeanotherroundof significantGuidelines for residential fall proincreasesininsurancecosts tection that had been negotiated bylook forward to working with them best guess is on the order of 8OSHA,NRCAandtheNationalthism the "52nd Annual per year toake cent to 12 percent for commercialAssociationofHomebuilders inMRCAConventionandTrade lines, and possibly even more for1995. Thanks to ainute let Show"a fantastic success. Roofing last-mhealth insurance. Labor costs willter-writing campaign orchestratedcontractorsfromthroughoutthe continue to track upward, so longby Craigin our Washing Midwest will want tofamilies Brightupbring as labor shortages continue-andtonoffice,Mr.Jeffressleft townandcrewtoenjoythe programthey will, even with atively flatwith the guidelines intact.ming,sitesandatmosphereat relamarket.Meanwhile,theNationalInsti Nashville\'s Opr nd Hotel, OctoylaTheothergoodnewsfromtuteforO upationalSafetyandber 11-12, cc 2001.'