There are numerous publications available detailing Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. These
typically include about 500 pages of text and illustrations and can
be confusing. NRCA recently
released The NRCA
Safety Manual, Second Edition, which is significantly
shorter with about 250 pages of easy-to-understand explanations,
illustrations and photos explaining federal rules related to the
roofing industry. The new manual is an updated version of The
NRCA Safety Manual, which was published in 2000.
Lead is an important topic because roofing projects often
involve the installation or removal of lead-coated copper, lead
flashings or other lead roof accessories. Silica is of concern to
roofing contractors because the abrasive action of cutting concrete
and clay products produces a dust that can be inhaled by workers,
potentially causing silicosis, a scarring of the lung tissue that
reduces lung function. OSHA fines involving worker exposures to
lead are substantial—a manufacturer recently alleged to have
violated the lead standard was assessed a proposed...
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