Flashings

OSHA unveils new Outreach Training Program cards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has introduced new completion cards for its Outreach Training Program. The cards are more durable and secure to reduce fraud and improve efficiency.

OSHA's Outreach Training Program is composed of 10- and 30-hour voluntary safety courses for industry workers and 15-hour classes for disaster site workers, which cover the basics of workers' rights, OSHA protections, and identifying and avoiding workplace hazards. The courses are not required by OSHA though some cities and employers require workers to complete them. More than 830,000 students were trained through the program during 2015.

Classes are taught by independent consultants trained through the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers, and completion cards are given to students at the conclusion of each course. The cards originally were printed on paper, but Feb. 29 marked the switch to new completion cards printed on more durable card stock with authorizing logos, a watermark when copied and a QR code for authentication. Student cards include student name, trainer name, date of issue and the OTI Education Center that produced the card. Trainer cards include trainer name, trainer ID number, expiration date and the OTI Education Center where the trainer was authorized.

An electronic database of authorized trainers and students will be maintained by the OTI Education Centers, allowing employers and workers to authenticate their completion cards with the use of the QR codes on each card.

Workers who already have 10- and 30-hour completion cards are not required to change to the new cards though anyone who has completed a course within the past three years may purchase a new card by contacting his or her class trainer. The fee for each new completion card increased from $5 to $8. New cards will be issued for in-person training sessions only; students who complete online courses will continue to receive paper cards at this time.

Additional information about OSHA's Outreach Training Program is available at www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/index.html.

NRCA announces 2016-17 board of directors

Dennis Conway

NRCA announced its 2016-17 slate of officers and directors during its 129th Annual Convention held Feb. 15-19 in Orlando, Fla. The officers and directors will begin their terms June 1.

Dennis Conway, principal and vice president of Commercial Roofers Inc., Las Vegas, was named chairman of the board. Jim Barr, president of Barr Roofing Co., Abilene, Texas, was named chairman of the board-elect. Alex Hernandez, vice president of Clark Roofing Co., Broadview, Ill., was named vice chairman for a one-year term. Tim Blue, president of Blue's Roofing Co., Milpitas, Calif.; Kent Schwickert, senior vice president of Schwickert's Tecta America of Mankato, Mankato, Minn.; and Kyle Thomas, vice president of Thomas Roofing Co. Inc., Mobile, Ala., were named vice chairmen to serve two-year terms.

Additionally, the following were elected new directors and will serve three-year terms: Randy Adams, CEO of R. Adams Roofing Inc., Indianapolis; Doug Duncan, president of Nations Roof, Villa Park, Ill.; Rudy Gutierrez, president of SHELL Roofing Solutions Group, Chino, Calif.; Scott Kawulok, executive project manager of B & M Roofing of Colorado Inc., Frederick; Chris Noorda, president of Noorda Building Envelope Contractor Inc., Salt Lake City; George Patterson, president of Bennett & Brosseau Roofing Inc., Romeoville, Ill.; Rod Petrick, president of Ridgeworth Roofing Co. Inc., Frankfort, Ill.; Mike Pierce, vice president—roofing operations of Flynn Midwest, Kansas City, Mo.; Jonathan Reader, project manager of R & B Roofing LLC, Garland, Texas; Gary Register, president of J. Register Co. Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.; Nick Sabino, president of Deer Park Roofing Inc., Cincinnati; Scott Siegal, president of Jamsco Inc. t/a Maggio Roofing Co., Takoma Park, Md.; and Keith Swope, president of Tampa Roofing Co. Inc., Tampa, Fla.

National Roofing Week to be held June 5-11

This year, National Roofing Week will be held June 5-11. Organized by NRCA, National Roofing Week increases awareness across the U.S. about the significance of roofs and shares the good deeds of the industry.

During National Roofing Week, NRCA members are encouraged to engage in their communities and work to inform the public about the essential role roofs and professional roofing contractors play in every community.

In addition, NRCA will hold its third annual Children's Art Contest. The contest is open to the children, grandchildren, stepchildren, nieces and nephews of NRCA members and their employees. Children in grades 1-8 are invited to submit artwork illustrating the importance of roofs by April 15. The winner from each of three age groups will have his or her artwork featured on all 2016 National Roofing Week material and additional promotional material to be displayed at industry events throughout the year, including the 2017 International Roofing Expo® and NRCA's 130th Annual Convention in Las Vegas. More information about NRCA's 2016 Children's Art Contest is available at www.nrca.net/Art-Contest.

NRCA members should watch for more information in the coming weeks regarding ways to celebrate National Roofing Week.

GAF to acquire Danish manufacturer Icopal

GAF, Parsippany, N.J., has announced it will acquire roofing and waterproofing products manufacturer Icopal, Herlev, Denmark, for $1.1 billion from Bahrain-based investment firm Investcorp Ltd. The acquisition will expand GAF's presence in Europe and provide new markets for its products.

Icopal services the residential roofing, building membranes, waterproofing and civil engineering markets and has an annual revenue of about $1.1 billion. GAF is a subsidiary of Standard Industries Inc. (formerly known as Building Materials Corp. of America) and has 29 manufacturing plants and about 3,000 employees. With the acquisition of Icopal, the combined company will have nearly $4 billion in sales across more than 80 countries.

"The enhanced scale and financial strength of our combined company positions us to lead the roofing industry on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond," says David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries.

NRCA CEO to retire

Bill Good

Reid Ribble

After 28 years serving as NRCA's CEO, Bill Good, CAE, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2016. NRCA currently is in negotiations with Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), former president of The Ribble Group, Kaukauna, Wis., to replace Good.

Ribble, a former NRCA president, first joined the roofing industry in 1975 when he began working as a salesman at his father's company. He became president of The Ribble Group when his father retired in 1980. Ribble served as an NRCA director from 1990-93; vice president from 1994-2004; senior vice president from 2004-05; and president from 2005-06. In addition, Ribble served as president of The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress' board of trustees from 2008-10. In 2010, Ribble was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. On Jan. 31, Ribble announced he will not seek re-election at the end of his third term, which ends Jan. 8, 2017.

"I couldn't be more pleased with Reid's selection as my successor," Good says. "He brings a lot to the job: longstanding relationships in the roofing industry; experience with NRCA; and, of course, incredible contacts—and credibility—in Washington, D.C." Good will remain involved with the association until May 31, 2017, to assist with the transition.