New rule hits home- roofers targeted

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Residential roofers have one of the highest injury rates of any industry in Alberta, according to a key architect of the province’s new safety code which went into effect April 30, 2004.
  
The Alberta government had to take steps to reduce injury rates by imposing new regulations and updating old safety standards, but it is up to industry to make them part of the operation, Kenn Hemple said.
 
Hemple was speaking to a group of safety professionals during a morning session to kick off this year’s North American Occupational Health and Safety Week in Edmonton.
  Falls from heights have become an area of concern, he said. “Roofers pay one of the highest Workers’ Compensation Board rates,” he said.
  “Every three days an Albertan dies from injuries they’ve sustained on the job. We had to take action.”
 
Hemple,  a professional engineer (civil) with extensive experience in the public and private sectors, helped design the new general safety standards for Alberta. These standards have not been updated since 1983.
  He outlined many of the areas that roofing companies must follow including the use of fall protection equipment and providing training in their use.
 “It’s about the use of material (that will provide a safe environment) not the actual job.”
 
Roofers are required to use travel restraints, slide guards and guardrails when working at heights between 3 - 6 metres. Other requirements as outlined in the new code include: Section 787- daily inspection of roof surfaces and slipping hazards; Section 788- requires that the weight of supplies and roofing materials stored on a roof be uniformly distributed and that the materials be located not less than 2 metres from the edge of a roof; Section 791- specifies when roof workers must use slide guards, guardrails or a fall protection system. The requirements are based on the slope of the roof deck.
  During his address Hemple also discussed other safety requirements under the new Code including Hazard Assessment; Lifting; Violence in the Workplace; Confined Spaces and general fall protection standards.
  
As Municipal Engineer in cities in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, and later, as Manager of an engineering consulting office, Hemple gained practical exposure to the application of safe-work practices. His present work with Alberta Human Resources and Employment has him involved in the development and communication of OHS legislation and policy --- coaching OHS Officers and industry stakeholders alike.WSN