Roofers face many potential health risks on the jobsite that go beyond just working at heights. One of the most dangerous and unfortunately more common substances is asbestos. Once praised for its durability and fire safety properties in construction, decades of health research show proven links to chronic disease.
Asbestos control is a serious problem and can be a major problem for roofers who are not familiar with all of the local, state and federal regulations to address the problem, he said RC Security Expert Tammy Clark, Certified Security Consultant and Owner of Tammy K. Clark Companies.
RC I was recently back on site with Clark and Ruben Gonzalez, owners of Ais Construction in Michigan, to highlight common safety issues that roofers often face on commercial roofing jobsites.
In this short video from outside an automobile plant, Clark explained some of the enforcement risks roofing contractors face from OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency when they find asbestos on a construction site.
“If you don’t follow all of (these regulations), the fines start at $40,000,” Clark warned. “So if you ever have an asbestos project, it’s really important to do it right and read up on the rules before you just do it.”
Watch the full video here and check out our other safety-related content for more ways to stay safe at work.