As part of its annual support for the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction taking place throughout the U.S. from May 7-11, 2018, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is partnering with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to host two educational events aimed at reducing fall fatalities in the roofing industry.

The latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show 92 workers in the roofing industry died in 2016 from falls that occurred as they were doing their jobs. Those numbers reflect 92 families that have been changed forever by the loss of a loved one — a spouse, father, mother, son or daughter.

Organized by OSHA, the National Safety Stand-Down is an effort to focus company and worker attention on the significance of fall hazards in construction and emphasize the importance of effectively implementing fall-protection systems on every project.

On May 7, NRCA will offer a free webinar at 1 p.m. (CDT), that will kick off with an introduction from Dean McKenzie, OSHA’s director of the directorate of construction. It will focus on how to use a job hazard analysis (JHA) and other pre-job resources and activities during the job and after its completion. A roofing company’s safety culture and its effects on fall prevention also will be addressed.

The second event, a live half-day fall-prevention awareness seminar, will take place Tuesday, May 8, from 8 a.m. until noon at NRCA’s headquarters in Rosemont, Ill. Topics will build off the previous day’s webinar, including performing a JHA, discussing and demonstrating hazards associated with rescuing a fallen worker while suspended by his or her fall-arrest system, key fall-protection regulatory requirements and case studies from attendees’ fall-related experiences. All attendees are encouraged to listen to the webinar before attending the seminar.

Job foremen, superintendents, roofing contractors and safety directors are encouraged to attend both events.

For more information, contact (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or email info@nrca.net.