Safety continues to be an ongoing challenge for roofing contractors as falls from height remain the leading cause of deaths and serious injuries on the jobsite. As such, worker safety on the rooftop will be a major point of emphasis when the industry gathers for the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) Jan. 20-22 in Las Vegas.

For roofing contractors, the IRE provides a vast collection of the people and products invested in providing the latest tools for roofers to go home safely at night, and return to the jobsite the next day. That includes new innovations in life-saving equipment, approaches to navigating complex OSHA regulations, and how to foster a safety-first company culture. More than 60 exhibitors at the event will have some product, service or component geared toward roof safety throughout the industry’s largest trade show in North America.

Notably, the IRE’s Innovative Product Showcase will feature the next generation of gear designed to reduce job-site risks. Roofers can expect to see connected harnesses and lanyards equipped with sensors that can alert supervisors to a fall in real-time or monitor if a worker is properly tied off in the first place.

High-resolution drones and AI-driven thermal imaging will also be prominent on the show floor, as their popularity increases industry-wide. And manufacturers are continuing to battle complacency by creating ergonomic harnesses and lightweight tool-tethering systems to improve mobility on the roof without jeopardizing safety.

Roofing contractors looking to improve their safety programs can attend dedicated educational sessions to learn about the latest regulatory reforms; experience the physical tools to help with fall prevention; and pick up management skills that will help safety implementation.

The expo floor will feature a dedicated "Safety & Fall Protection" product category, hosting industry leaders such as Malta Dynamics, KStrong, Leading Edge Safety, and On Top Safety Inc. Specific niche safety devices and gear will also be on display at booths like the AcuSaif Harness Cam, or the Safe or Die Gear.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) will also have resources and manuals dedicated to safety at its exhibit, and also offers hands-on training classes focusing on how foremen can better manage safety protocols on-site.

Here’s a closer look at the safety-related educational sessions scheduled at the IRE:

IRE 2026 Seminar Session

 Title: Stay on Top: Essential Fall Prevention for Residential Roofing

 Speaker: Rick Trewyn, Director of Risk Education/Training, National Roofing Contractors Association 

Description: Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of death in the roofing industry, and with more than half of contractors primarily focused on residential work, it’s time to focus on the challenges of residential roof safety. This session will focus on the essentials of residential roofing fall protection and specific best practices to help your company keep your workers safe and meet regulatory compliance rules while improving overall performance

When: 8:15 - 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Room W223.

IRE 2026 Seminar Session

Title: From the Ground Up: Mental Health, Safety and Total Worker Wellbeing in Roofing

Speaker: Adrianne Anglin, Director, Safety and Risk Management, National Roofing Contractors Association

Description: Physical demands, harsh environments, and safety risks are part of the job description in the roofing industry. Yet, mental health remains a critical—and often underestimated—element of jobsite safety. This session will examine the real-world impacts of stress, fatigue, and burnout on worker performance and accident risk. Attendees will explore how integrating mental health awareness and total worker wellbeing into safety programs can lead to better outcomes on and off the roof. Featuring practical tools and strategies, this session equips participants to build a culture of care, resilience, and safety, starting from the top down and the ground up. 

When: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21 in Room  W223.

IRE 2026 Seminar Session

Title: OSHA is Here! Tools and Techniques for Surviving a Safety Inspection

Speaker: Frank Marino, Partner at Safety Check, Inc.

Description: OSHA is a serious concern for every employer who has employees exposed to hazards in the workplace.  OSHA standards have become a core component of most health & safety programs.  Complying with OSHA standards is one thing, dealing with them when they’re standing in your facility or on your jobsite is clearly another.  Most companies don’t appreciate the fact that mishandling an OSHA inspection can make a difficult situation go from bad to worse.  This seminar will review OSHA’s areas of focus, statistical data from previous years inspections, and will walk attendees through the inspection process, and give tips on how they can prepare their employers to successfully survive an OSHA inspection.

When: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 22 in Room W223.