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The Respirable Crystalline Silica Construction Standard is Here!

Posted by Art Valentz on October 18, 2017

Silicon is the second most abundant element in our Earth’s crust, making it a frequent component of many construction materials including soils, clays, sands, cements, mortars, stuccos, and stone. It is not inherently dangerous as pure silicon, however a particular molecule of silicon can be lethal when inhaled: silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide, also called silica, or known as quartz, is the major constituent of sand and is highly toxic in dust form. Freely breathing in finely divided crystalline silica can in fact cause such fatal diseases as silicosis, lung cancer, and some autoimmune diseases in high enough concentrations. Three types of common construction practices, for example, including sandblasting, cementing, jackhammering and/or rock drilling all expose a construction worker to this unique breathable threat.

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Topics: Roof Safety, Construction

School Safety Report: Rooftop Support Systems

Posted by Art Valentz on August 2, 2017

When designing a school building, all safety and security measures must be taken into account in order to protect the lives and property of its occupants. In addition to limiting access to the campus through doors or gates, integrating security checkpoints into the flow of traffic and installing bollards where necessary, there are more recondite means of ensuring the integrity of the building and the safety of its users.

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Topics: Rooftop Support Engineering, Roofing Management, Roof Safety, Roof Architecture

Summer's Here! Let's Talk About Heat Illness Prevention

Posted by Jason Fulton on July 24, 2017

The summer season has arrived, and with it come additional health hazards in your work environments. Each year, thousands of workers exposed to extreme heat and/or humid conditions die or become ill from heat stress and other heat related illnesses. For this reason, it is important to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of heat stress and protect your (and your colleagues') health this summer. This is especially important while working in extreme environments such as rooftops, where there is little to no shade available for workers.

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Topics: Roof Safety, Construction

Thinking about contesting an OSHA fine? Read this first!

Posted by Art Valentz on February 9, 2017

If you have never received an OSHA fine, you may not realize what a nerve-wracking problem it can be to face. If money is no object, you may decide to simply pay the fine and move on with your business. However, how many business owners can honestly say that money is no object? In many cases, it may make since to contest the fine and see about resolving the citation. We’ve gathered a bit of information about this process so you can decide if it is the right step for you to take.

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Topics: Roof Safety

Autumn Is Here: Let’s Talk About Fall Protection

Posted by Art Valentz on October 5, 2016

So autumn has rolled in, bringing with it the cool mists and glowing leaves we associate with this time of year. Drizzling rains and some early frost bring with them dangers, though, which is why it’s a great time to discuss fall protection. No, not protection for this chilly season; we’re talking protection against falling from heights, the leading cause of deaths on construction jobs.

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Topics: Roof Safety

7 Things You Need To Know About the First OSHA Fine Increase in 25 Years

Posted by Jason Fulton on September 7, 2016

For the first time in 25 years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased the fine amount for employers who are in violation of safety regulations – and it has increased these fines for maximum penalties by a whopping 78 percent.

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Topics: Roof Safety

Looking Back: Skylights and Your Commercial Rooftop

Posted by Art Valentz on August 17, 2016

In May of this year, Roofing Magazine published, and hosted on their site, an “On My Mind” piece from our director of Sales, Marion McKnight. The article was intended to help bring to light potential risks associated with skylights so that building owners, asset management professionals, and anyone else involved in the purchasing decision for such a product could make a more informed decision. Unfortunately, there were some who did not appreciate our commentary and felt it was an attack on the use of skylights in general. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Besides my involvement with PHP Systems/Design, I am also the owner of a skylight manufacturing company, VTech Skylights, so, naturally, I would not encourage something to be written that would discourage the use of skylights.

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Topics: Roofing Management, Roofing Maintenance, Roof Safety

Hurricane Season Is Here! Six Must Read Roof Preparation Tips

Posted by Art Valentz on July 6, 2016

Hurricane season on the Atlantic and Gulf coast runs from June 1st through November 30th each year. The peak of the season tends to be in August and September. What this means for building owners, operators, and maintenance professionals is that it's time to put in a bit of work with regards to building, roof, and equipment supports to make certain commercial buildings are prepared for the potential storms ahead. While every structure will have different steps that must be taken to protect it, we’ve put together a few points you may want to consider as you prepare for potential inclement weather.

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Topics: Roofing Management, Roof Safety

Should You Contest Your OSHA Citation?

Posted by Marion McKnight on March 24, 2016

Complying with OSHA regulations isn’t always easy – or cheap. But neither are OSHA citations and their accompanying costs. In fact, with the passage of the 2015 budget, fines for violating OSHA regulations are going up for the first time in 25 years. The new budget allows for increases of up to 150% of current fines. However, the details still have to be hammered out.

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Topics: Roof Safety

How Will OSHA’s New Silica Rules Change Roof Safety?

Posted by Art Valentz on March 3, 2016

Sometime this spring, OSHA is expected to release new rules regulating workers’ exposure to silica dust. These rules are expected to include two sets of standards, one for general and maritime industries, and one for the construction industry – and they could have a huge impact on your roof safety and standard procedures. Here’s what you need to know: 

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Topics: Roofing Management, Roof Safety

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