Chip Macdonald of Best Safety, LLC, Cambridge, N.Y., offers safety training, program implementation and management tailored to companies of all sizes. He can be reached at 518-461-3358 or bestsafe@capital.net.

Fatal Falls Forever?

Chip Macdonald

December 9, 2019

Today's news is full of stories of roofing contractors from every state being OSHA-cited and heavily penalized for willful violations, as well as successfully sued for criminal and civil negligence for failing to provide fall protection for their employees. Why?

Tool Belts and Harnesses: Over, Under or Integral?

Roofing contractors must carefully consider how to use a harness and tool belt together in order to exhibit a good-faith effort to eliminate or mitigate infeasibility and greater fall hazards.

Chip Macdonald

October 25, 2019

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Except for the roofing inspector, most roofing contractors would expect their employees to wear a tool belt while on the roof deck.

Roofing Contractors Get Rescue Ready

Rooftop risk assessment is a necessary stop on every job before an accident occurs.

Chip Macdonald

August 26, 2019

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Last season, I spotted more than a dozen mostly residential crews working without fall protection.

The Danger of Pine Pollen on Metal Roofs

Pollen Season: Metal Roofers Beware!

Chip Macdonald

May 6, 2019

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Pollen can create “black ice”-like situations for roofers.

12 Steps to Seeing Safety Risks on the Roofing Jobsite

There are critical clues on every site foreshadowing red-flag disaster that may or may not occur that day.

Chip Macdonald

February 25, 2019

One Comment

The following 12 clues may suggest more about the general health and safety on your jobsite than any of the statistics or data projections could ever predict.

The Importance of Project Safety Scheduling for Roofing Contractors

Chip Macdonald

January 21, 2019

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There are many project scheduling methods and programs available out in the construction world.

Roofers Face New Requirements for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

Chip Macdonald

January 7, 2019

As with all U.S. mandatory safety and health regulations or independent recommended guidelines, they must eventually change focus and evolve scope with changing times and design developments. So it is with Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP), formerly known as Aerial Work Platforms (AWP).

On the Prowl with Cougar Paws SteelWalker Boots

SteelWalker boots dominate metal roofing market down under, and are making their way to the U.S.

Chip Macdonald

October 25, 2018

No Comments

The original Cougar Paws became the only boots I wear while roofing or conducting elevated training exercises.

Tips to Stay Cool on the Roof During Summer Heat

Chip Macdonald

July 10, 2018

The recent heatwave reinforces the need for roofing contractors to follow this life-saving pattern: water, rest, shade, repeat.

Roof Safety: Opioids on the Roof and in Our Building Trades

We should also consider all of our employees vulnerable to this epidemic disease and do all within our power to destigmatize drug addiction.

Chip Macdonald

May 14, 2018

No Comments

Recent medical studies of rampant opioid prescriptions put our society as far as twenty years into this conflict.

Roofing Contractor Magazine

2020 June

The June issue features A Time for the Roofing Industry to Pivot, COVID-19 Crisis: Ready to Reopen, Debt Cancellation for Roofing Contractors During COVID-19 and more added everyday!

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