Flashings

ERA issues update regarding VOC regulations

The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) is alerting the roofing industry to new information concerning volatile organic compound (VOC) regulation implementation dates in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states. Specifically, VOC regulations in the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont will not be made effective in time for implementation this year.

VOCs found in adhesives and sealants used in the roofing industry are regulated because high VOC emission levels may contribute to ground-level ozone formation. As part of its effort to achieve federally mandated standards in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, the Ozone Transport Commission developed a model rule for adhesives and sealants based on regulations used in California. However, because the conditions and practices differ significantly from those in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, ERA has begun an intensive campaign to inform individual state regulators about these differences and ask them to modify the regulations.

Based on ERA's concerns, several states have incorporated a seasonal implementation schedule into draft regulations and others have drafted language to incorporate a seasonal implementation schedule into their final regulations.

For up-to-date, accurate listings of the regulations and their implementation schedules, visit www.epdmroofs.org.

ATI expands fire-testing accreditation

Architectural Testing Inc. (ATI) has expanded its International Accreditation Service (IAS) accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 to include fire performance test methods for roofing products and assemblies—primarily ASTM E108, "Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings."

ASTM E108 evaluates materials under simulated exterior fire exposure for surface flame spread; smoke density; the roof covering material or system's ability to resist fire penetration from the exterior to the underside of the roof deck; and development of burning brands when subjected to wind.

ASTM E108 accreditation also includes IAS approval for the almost identical test method UL 790, "Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings."

In addition, the expanded accreditation includes ASTM E84-10b, "Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials," which evaluates surface flame spread and materials' smoke density.

ATI performs tests and evaluations for all roofing-associated products, materials and systems, including skylights, tubular daylighting devices and solar panels. The newly accredited IAS fire performance tests round out the complete suite of roofing product tests ATI is accredited to perform.

OSHA announces phase-in for residential fall protection

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has begun a three-month phase-in period to allow residential construction employers more time to comply with the agency's new directive, STD 03-11-002, which requires roofing contractors to use conventional fall-protection methods for workers exposed to fall hazards of 6 feet or more.

The phase-in period became effective June 16 and will end Sept. 15. During this time, if an employer is in full compliance with the old directive, which allowed the use of slide guards, OSHA will not issue citations but will issue a hazard alert letter informing the employer how to comply with OSHA's fall-protection standard or implement a written fall-protection plan. If an employer fails to implement the fall-protection measures outlined in the hazard alert letter and OSHA finds violations involving the same hazards during a subsequent inspection of one of the employer's work sites, the area office will issue appropriate citations.

The new directive, a detailed description of the phase-in policy, a presentation and other guidance materials are available at www.osha.gov/doc/residential_fall_protection.html.

Additionally, OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Web page, available at www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html, provides a list of references to help employers identify fall hazards and possible solutions for eliminating such hazards.

OSHA also encourages employers to use the agency's free on-site consultation program or contact a compliance assistance specialist, available in most area offices.

In addition, OSHA has launched its national outreach initiative to educate workers and employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat and how to prevent heat-related illness.

Heat illness often manifests as heat exhaustion, which can become heatstroke; more than 30 workers died from heatstroke in 2010.

OSHA has developed heat illness educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training. OSHA's new Web page, www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html, provides information and resources regarding heat illness.

OSHA also is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop weather service alerts that will incorporate worker safety precautions when heat alerts are issued throughout the

U.S. NOAA will include worker safety information on its Heat Watch Web page at www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php.

Proposed rule bans cell phone use while driving

Under a proposed rule published by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the April 29 Federal Register, truck drivers would be banned from using cell phones while transporting hazardous materials in intrastate commerce.

The proposal also would prohibit employers from requiring or allowing drivers of vehicles covered under PHMSA's jurisdiction to use cell phones while driving.

According to the proposed rule, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in December 2010 issued a separate proposed rule "to restrict … hand-held mobile telephone use, including cell phone use, by [commercial motor vehicle] drivers as a necessary component of an overall strategy to reduce the number of crashes caused by distracted driving."

The December 2010 proposed rule focuses largely on interstate drivers. The latest proposed rule issued by PHMSA would extend the ban proposed by FMCSA to include drivers who haul hazardous materials, whose trucks are subject to placarding under 49 C.F.R. Part 172 or who carry "any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 C.F.R. Part 73 in intrastate commerce."

Roofing material shipments that may be subject to placarding requirements include propane and solvent-based adhesives or coatings in quantities greater than 1,000 pounds. PHMSA has estimated about 1,490 intrastate carriers would be affected by the proposed rule.