As if dealing with supply shortages and a pandemic weren’t enough, contractors need to worry about hackers stealing sensitive information through their computer or phone. We spoke with cybersecurity expert Bill Collins on how contractors can strengthen their online security.

One of the unforeseen consequences of the supply crunch the roofing industry endured last year appears to be continued price volatility when it comes to materials this year. But it’s not scarcity of raw materials or demand driving prices this time. Its storage costs, says RC Legal RC Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney.

“The demand has decreased but the supply is abundant,” said Cotney, partner with Adams & Reese. “There’s still a market adjustment and still a little pain to go through.” Listen to the entire conversation here.

The true impact of the devastating chemical train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, won’t be known for years. A second, less severe derailment was also reported over the weekend, prompting questions about the safety of transportation infrastructure in the United States. If roofing contractors don’t think these accidents will have an impact on workplace safety regulations, they should think again, said RC Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney.

“It is a big, big deal, and this should be a wakeup call,” said Cotney, partner with Adams & Reese. “We need to look at everything from our infrastructure to the training because you can’t have stuff like this happen. I think you’re going to see more regulation coming out after this accident.”

Cotney also discussed where contractors can go to get the resources they need get emergency plans and a hazardous materials plan in place to protect their workers and the public. Listen to the entire conversation here.

Roofing contractors should have March 3, 2023 marked on their calendars since it’s the deadline for injury and illness reporting with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Known as Form 300A, contractors with more than 20 employees must file the summary with the government or face penalties.

“Stay current with the rules and make sure that you’re tracking the deadlines on osha.gov in terms of electronic record keeping,” urged RC Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney in this brief Best of Success Podcast Show episode.

Cotney also breaks down the new penalty and fee schedule that OSHA recently adjusted to account for inflation, and some new guidance issued in terms of enforcement.

Rich Russo, show director of the International Roofing Expo, gives RC a sneak peek at what roofing contractors and other industry professionals can expect when the event returns to Dallas, March 7-9. Check out the full conversation here.

With ladder safety as one of the top 10 OSHA violations, it’s important to brush up on ladder safety. In this episode, Tammy Clark of Tammy K. Clark Companies shares how contractors can avoid ladder-related accidents and citations.

Regulation is nothing new to the roofing industry, but roofers today face an environment that can be costly in both the long-and short-term. The most common defense to citations issued by the Occupational Health Safety Administration (OSHA) is unpromotable employee misconduct – which shifts the onus, and liability, away from the company an onto an individual. In this brief Best of Success Podcast Show episode, RC Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney breaks down the necessary factors to win such a defense – and the most common one that contractors regularly miss.

Cotney also discussed the importance of having detailed contracts when offering workmanship warranties, or they can become vulnerable to transferability. Though it might not appear that way, Cotney explained that a warranty is an ongoing liability for a roofing contractor, and should take into account that a property – residential or commercial – may change hands before the warranty period expires.