b'Gary\'s Corner Safety\'son the Bottom Line Impact GaiyMRCALegal Counsel Auman, T issue\'s feature article, "Why the Growing Interest in Roofing Ac time,Imy client\'s safety director, who then called the foreman. hiscalled cessories?" (seep. 16) focuses on new developments in roofing acces With aon his face,re-erected mystified lookthe forema~immediately sories. We are always interested in innovation because we want to providethe safety line and began doing his job. The next day, the same thing stelthe best products and materials to our customers and maintain a- occurred and the same scenario played out. What made this more lar reputation among the general contractors and owners with whom weamazing was that the company had just come off asafety citawillful work. In short, we want to provide the best work using the best materials.tion for lack of warning lines and had received afine. $27,500 By enhancing our companies\' reputations, hopefully we will be invited toAt the time, Ihow much work and subsequent profits were wondered bid more jobs, be successful in those bids, and grow our businesses.required for that business to break even after paying that substantial Unfortunately, we frequently spend so much time learning about thefine and incurring legal fees to expunge the willful citation from its refactors newest and best products that we lose sight of otherthat affectcord. How long would it take your business to offset fines and legal costs both our reputation and our bottom line. There are several things thatof $20,000- $40,000 or more? If ou work on a 5% margin-making ymight pull us down, includinganet profit on every $100, for example-you would need another $5not maintaining aworkforce quality$800,000 job to break even on afine. $40,000not paying attention to and understanding the contracts we signYou are probably saying to yourself,General Counsel,off "Hey,getnot understanding the job we are biddingyour soapbox." Please understand that Ion my soapbox/or amyou.not managing our employeesIfirsthand about OSHA\'s new enforcement initiatives. Fines are knownot running ajob. safegoing up. OSHA is getting more difficult to deal with. Good settlements are not as available as they once were,efforts needed to get a Safe dur Bottom Lineandgood ty an YoUnlike some ofotherlisted above, failing to require safetysettlement are increasing. thefactors Itimperative that you take safety seriously. In an upcoming issue compliance on your jobs can affect you adversely in manybothis ways, ofRoofer, Idiscuss the impact of injuries on your bottom now and for years to come. Think of the potential impact on yourMidwestwill bottom line from an OSHA compliance inspection; an employee\'sline and how OSHA citations can hurt indirectly by affecting your ability injury that is covered by workers\' compensation or some other legalto get work. But, for now, you need tostart paying attention to what is going on infield remedy; property damage or ato aor thirdthe personal injurycustomerset up awhich you audit your employees\' compliance party caused by your employees\' failure to comply with safety; aprogram in serious accident; or awillful, or repeat OSHA citation.with your safety program serious, Some of these factors are uninsurable, such as an OSHA compliance train your safety people so that they understand the importance of inspection. All of them can affect your ability to bid on work in thetheir job. future.An OS Mock Trial HA Judging by the number of roofing job sites Iobserved from a haveIyou to bring your safety person to the mock trial at the encourage safety perspective, most contractors must know something Iknow. don\'tMRCA conference in Grapevine,11 am-12:30 pm, on Thursday, TX, don\'thave walked passedsingleDecember6.Devised by the MRCA Safety and Operations Committee, the Ibelieve that Iaroofing job site in the last few years that could be considered in total compliance with ap mock trial will be factual, entertaining, and educational. The mock trial plicable safety standards. Granted, not all of these violations would be inwill present typical roofing jobsite violations, discuss how to avoid them, OSHA\'s serious classification, but when Icrews taking liberties observeand share the expense involved in defending your safety practices. I and not complying on minor points, Ithey are taking liberties assumestrongly encourage you to attend to learn about potential pitfalls in on major points as well.your safety program and how to correct them. Case in point: Istood at my office window and observed a haveBy bringing your safety personnel, you will send amessage clear flatthat you and your company support the committee\'s efforts and that crew working on aroof, on what appeared to be a 12-to 18-inch parapet, using no personal fall-arrest equipment or safety net. They didyou take safety seriously. You will also provide your safety people with a have warning lines and amonitor who was wearing a, safetyvest butsignificant training opportunity. This is scheduled as aprogram 3-hour the warning lines were laying on the roof, and the safety monitor, theover 2but members of the mock-trial team and Ibe available days,will crew foreman, was sitting on the parapet talking on his cell phone andafter each session for one-on-one discussions and to answer questions. looking at the cityscape.Iforward to seeing you there. look The crew belonged to my client, who is now out of business. At the 10www.mrca.org- Midwest Roofer'