Policymakers and the courts have disagreed for years on the fairness and enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) use of the multi-employer doctrine when it comes to safety violations found on a jobsite. Now, advocates for the construction and roofing trades are pushing for a series of statutory reforms that allow prime contractors on a site to help subcontractors with safety.

“The kind of thing I'm thinking about is collaborative efforts to ensure safety,” said RC Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney in a recent conversation with RC about a new white paper he helped draft for the National Construction Policy Institute. “The reason why I wanted to write this white paper is that time and time again, I've been asked by contractors, ‘Hey, I want to help my subs, I want to give them PPE and train them.’”

We spotlight METALCON’s partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to launch the Eagles Landing Veteran Retreat, a healing space for combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families.

Data from software company itel shows most roofs are repairable, raising the question: should contractors prioritize repair work over replacements? We explore the question with Paul Disney, chief product and technology officer at itel.

The Insulation Contractors Association of America is gearing up for its annual convention and trade show this October in Orlando, Fla. ICAA Executive Director Michael Kwart detailed what attendees can expect from the four-day program.

Roofing contractors need to control costs on the rooftop -- even the costs that can’t be seen until the job is well underway. That includes any wildlife, pests or other nuisances that can create safety hazards and stall projects.

“Especially with older homes and older roofs, you really have no idea what’s under there, and it can be harboring all kinds of things,” said RC Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney in an exclusive podcast. “One thing I’ve learned in roofing is that you can always expect the unexpected.”

Cotney also discussed some dispute resolution tactics that can be spelled out in contracts.

“Think about how you’d like to resolve disputes and get them in your contract. Don’t leave it open ended.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney recently has received a lot of calls regarding workmanship warranties and manufactured material warranties from the field. He joined the RC Best of Success Podcast Show to break down some of the key features roofing contractors need to have in their contractors when it comes to workmanship and material warranties. He also explained that working with manufacturers and distributors to find a solution is often the best route to keep customers happy.

Cotney also addressed the continued need to monitor field crews for heat illness and exposure to the sun during the final weeks of peak roofing season. “It’s just incredibly hot across the U.S. and it’s an incredibly dangerous time for our industry,” Cotney warned.

Though efforts to create a new heat standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have stalled, regulators are still considering making updates that provide clarity to jobsite requirements over heat exposure. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is “You always have the duty to prevent your employees from suffering heat injury or illness and I’d recommend knowing the known hazards,” he said.

Listen to the full conversation now.

Amparo Sancen, founder of Latinos en Roofing and CEO of Sancen Contracting, shared critical insights about the most costly tax mistakes plaguing contractors—and how to avoid them.