b'Your SHARP:DidKnow You That the Program . is an MRCA member benefit?Yes, it\'s already available to you through your membership. This is acry from "To enforce it, you\'re fighting an uphillfar when,long ago, small groups of MRCA-member battle," he laments. "The guys up here [innot too Michigan] have never had to do it, they don\'tpool companies wouldtheir own safety resources and hire someone to implement aprogram in their state. want to do it, and they\'re fighting it."SHARP With the new rules, though, even first-timeRemember the Nebraska SHARP Group? infractions carry the full $7,000 penalty.is specific to the roofing industry? This program addresses roofing industry concerns, such as how to meet OSHA fall-protection standards orto operate atar "You\'re not going to be able to negotiate forhowhot kettle ormotorized rooftop equipment. $3,000 off," he quips.other Equipment+ Training=Complianceoffers highly relevant and timely training information? Your MRCA colleagues With all the choices in safety equipment onare expertly put together monthly training meetings and weekly Toolbox Talks, which conveniently e-mailed to you. The talks address issues specific to the current season, such the market, budget-wise roofers have to doas working safely in cold weather. Call 800.497.6722 to be added to the distribution list. their homework. But of all the general safetykeeps you abreast of new or revised government safety regulations? This equipment categories, guardrail systems seemmakes it afor roofing contractors-and, for that matter, yesterday as to make the most sense to experts-ifcanmust-havetodaytheywell. Just ask Greg Sprague about his recent find: aMRCA binder entitled The be used atRohs says there are times that100-page all.Occupational SafetyHealth Act Compliance Log. It\'s dated 1971. guardrails cannot be used, but adds that theyand has real marketing value? Spraguethat heclients and potential customers usually reduce labor costs on a job compared tosaystells that his company uses an industry-specific safety program provided througha using amonitor or even being tied off onMRC~. safetyregional association. "That seems to carry quite aof credibility," heespecially a low sloped roof.bitsays, "We strongly recommend a guardrail . forwhen MRCA-member companies can customize the professional-looking SHARP fall protection," Rohs says. "Your biggest workdocuments. hazard is eliminated, and you can get to work.is a cost-saver? "If you go outside MRCA and start purchasing these types of material You install guardrails around the perimeter ofand documents, it gets very expensive," Sprague says. "The program provides everything the building. That is the safest and only formforyou need to stay OSHA compliant, including training in mation such as lesson plans, of fall protection that prevents you from fallingtests, and quizzes. is a bilingual program? Both Spanish and English options arele-al plus off aavailab rearoof." for employers with aSpanish-speaking staff. "There isn\'t awho doesn\'t like itsizeable foreman [guardrail]," he says. "They don\'t have to worryAccording to asurvey of MRCA members on the SHARP program: recent warning Nearly(93%) of MRCA members are aware of the SH safety program to available about aline, everybody can work, and they don\'t have to worry about OSHA. IfallARP OSHAexclusively to them,onlyof members recently visited the Health and Ssees that stuff set up, they\'re going to drive rightbut38%afety section of the MRCA website to view the safetyLearn more about SHARP by on down the road." In addition, guardrailsinformation. visiting www.mrca.org soon! mitigate the human error factor that\'s to blame More members regularly use MRCA\'s SHARP program thanother program,as an in many kinds of accidents.anysuch "When you install a guardrail system,in-house program, NRCA\'s safety program, or an outside consultant. you knowhave protection all along theSurvey respondents you perimeter," says Brent Smith of safety equipmentnote several valuable manufacturer AES Raptor. "When you\'re relyingfeatures of the SHARP on an individual to hook up to an anchor point,program, including the you\'re relying on every single individual onelectronic distribution your crew to understand and use that equip of the Toolbox Talks ment properly. You\'re taking some of that [risk]and Monthly Meetings, out by using aguardrail system."the relevancy of topics, completeits accessibility on the There are times, especially on smallerMRCA website, and residential jobs, when harnesses make morethe availability of both sense. And even wh~n they seem like a hassleEnglish and Spanish to useroofers have to deal with the reality ofoptions. regul~tion and an increasing steepness ofMidland Engineering roofs continued on page 10 Midwest Roofer- www.mrca.org9'