Chip Macdonald

If workers are not particularly aware of observable details, acts and conditions on their specific worksite, they are unprepared to react using pre-determined responses adapted to the situation and tools-at-hand.

Why Situational Awareness (S/A) is Important for Roofing Contractors

Chip Macdonald

May 28, 2021

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By practicing situational awareness every day, contractors can keep themselves and others safe while on the job.

Shielded Safety: Breaking Down COVID-19 Face Protection for Roofing Contractors

Chip Macdonald

October 16, 2020

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Face masks aren’t the only way to stop the spread of COVID-19. Here are some viable alternatives that can keep workers safe.

Restart Safety Plan for Roofing Contractors

Chip Macdonald

July 10, 2020

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As the country begins reopening, having the proper safety and health plans in place will go a long way to protecting your workers.

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

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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).