Chip Macdonald

Roofers Face New Requirements for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

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

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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

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

An Important Message on Safety from Another Trade

Chip Macdonald

May 1, 2018

Echoes of an important message from another leading skilled trade should resonate with roofing contractors.

Roof Safety: Roof Guardrails (Revisited)

Roof guardrails systems appeard to be the future of worker safety. Why haven't they still taken hold?

Chip Macdonald

February 21, 2018

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When it comes to totally eliminating all fatal falls from roofs, fall prevention (guardrails and restraint) certainly takes precedence over fall protection (PFAS and safety nets).

Five Annual Safety Checkpoints for Roofing Contractors

Experiencing equipment failures or an on-the-road accident could cost you time and money.

Chip Macdonald

January 15, 2018

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Every workday on a construction site should include a pre-work inspection period to avoid jobsite accidents.

Pro-active planning and training made this rapid rescue from the TD Bank Sports Center a success

A Roof Rescue Revisited

Chip Macdonald

February 3, 2017

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In general, there are too many variables on most roofs for an elevated rescue operation to ever be considered "easy."

A Solution to Suspension Trauma for Roofing Contractors?

The FreeTech Harness’s revolutionary repositioning technology could be a game changer.

Chip Macdonald

December 1, 2016

No Comments

The international fall-protection industry retroactively developed the suspension trauma relief strap as a marketable add-on to their line of full body harnesses.