MRCA NEWS
www.mrca.org  —  Midwest Roofer
32
T
he Midwest Roofing 
Contractors Association 
(MRCA), in partnership with 
the North Texas Roofing Contractors 
Association (NTRCA) and the 
Roofing Contractors Association 
of Texas (RCAT), hosted a three-
day, in-person safety training 
event March 25–27 at the SRS Distribution facility 
in Frisco, Texas. The program brought together 
roofing professionals from across the region for 
hands-on instruction focused on two critical safety 
training programs: CERTA (Certified Roofing Torch 
Applicator) and Hot Air Welding Training (HAWT).
Offered in both English and Spanish, the training was 
designed to be accessible and practical for today’s 
diverse workforce. Participants gained real-world 
knowledge they can immediately apply on the 
jobsite, helping to strengthen safety practices and 
overall jobsite performance.
Torch-applied roofing and 
hot air welding systems 
are widely used across 
the industry. This training 
focused on equipping 
contractors and crews 
with the knowledge, 
awareness, and best 
practices needed to 
perform this work safely 
and confidently.
The CERTA safety training 
focused on fire prevention, safe equipment handling, 
and jobsite awareness. Attendees learned how to 
recognize and address potential risks associated 
with torch application—an essential skillset when 
working with open flames. A key component of the 
CERTA program is its hands-on format, allowing 
participants to work directly with equipment and 
reinforce proper safety techniques in a controlled 
environment.
The HAWT safety training focused on safe practices 
for hot air and induction welding equipment. Training 
topics included hazard recognition, proper use of 
equipment, and procedures designed to promote 
safe and efficient installation. The program reinforced 
consistent safety practices that crews can carry back 
to their jobsites.
The training was led by Chris Paulin of RST 
Services, whose instruction combined technical 
expertise with practical field experience. His 
approach emphasized not just how to perform 
tasks, but why safety procedures matter—helping 
attendees better understand the real-world impact of 
their decisions on the jobsite.
The success of the training was made possible 
through strong industry collaboration. Generous 
sponsorship from BITEC and SRS Distribution 
helped make the program 
accessible, while promotional 
support from NTRCA and 
RCAT contributed to strong 
participation.
MRCA also extends its 
appreciation to those who 
helped bring the event 
together, including Jon Feick 
of BITEC, Kristen Harford of 
NTRCA, and the SRS Frisco 
team for hosting and on-site 
support.
MRCA remains committed 
to expanding access 
to safety training and 
providing resources that 
help contractors succeed. 
Additional trainings are being 
planned, and contractors 
are encouraged to check the 
MRCA website for upcoming 
dates and locations.
By: Bob Pope, MRCA HAWT Advisor
MRCA Partners with NTRCA & RCAT to Deliver 
Hands-On Roofing Safety Training in Texas

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