Four regional OSHA offices and the president of the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association became participants in a historic partnership geared towards a safer working environment.

Safety was on everyone’s mind as officials from four regional OSHA offices and the president of the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association became participants in a historic partnership geared towards a safer working environment for the thousands of area roofers who face on-the-job dangers.

The signing of the Chicagoland Roofing Safety Partnership took place at the monthly meeting of the CRCA board of directors at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Oakbrook, Ill. The program is one of the first of its kind in the country where a local trade organization has been joined with OSHA to implement a cooperative safety program that benefits contractors, government agencies and consumers.

“The CRCA has already made great strides to make our members the safest roofing contractors in the business today. Now we are taking another positive and important step forward,” CRCA President Chuck Dessent said.

During the presentation, Joe McDevitt, of the CRCA, explained how the voluntary program works. “The most important benefit from this partnership will be increased safety in and around roof construction work sites. Following a period of outreach and training, contractors who qualify for the highest safety rating will be subject to limited OSHA inspections and possible reduction in penalties for serious hazards,” he said.