Flashings

New OSHA program protects workers from isocyanate exposure

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a new national emphasis program (NEP) to protect workers from serious health effects caused by occupational exposure to isocyanates.

OSHA develops NEPs to focus outreach efforts and inspections on specific hazards in an industry for a three-year period. Through this NEP, OSHA will make efforts to reduce occupational illnesses and deaths by focusing on construction, maritime industries that use isocyanate compounds and workplaces in general.

Isocyanates are chemicals used in materials such as paints, varnishes, auto body repair and building insulation and can cause occupational asthma; irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat; and cancer.

In roofing, isocyanates commonly comprise one component of spray polyurethane foam-based roof systems that are constructed by mixing and spraying a two-component liquid that forms the base of an adhered roof system. A polyol resin makes up the second component.

"Workers exposed to isocyanates can suffer debilitating health problems for months or even years after exposure," says David Michaels, OSHA's assistant secretary of labor. "Through this program, OSHA will strengthen protections for workers exposed to isocyanates."

OSHA's Web page regarding isocyanates provides additional information about recognizing potential hazards, as well as OSHA standards that address isocyanates in the construction, maritime and general industries. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

NRCA members win ASTM International awards

Rene Dupuis, principal and president of NRCA member company Structural Research Inc., Middleton, Wis., recently received the William C. Cullen Award, and Thomas Smith, AIA, RRC, F.SEI, president of NRCA member company TLSmith Consulting Inc., Rockton, Ill., received the Carl G. Cash Award from ASTM International.

ASTM International's Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing established the William C. Cullen Award to recognize outstanding contributions and personal commitment by Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing members to the field of roofing and waterproofing.

ASTM International established the Carl G. Cash Award to recognize outstanding research-oriented contributions by ASTM International Construction Committee members to the advancement of building envelope technology.

NIOSH offers publications and app

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has announced the release of a new publication, Straight Talk About Nail Gun Safety [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013–149], which also is available in Spanish.

Straight Talk About Nail Gun Safety uses a comic strip format to illustrate the potential risks of traumatic injury when using nail guns and how these risks can be reduced. The publication offers real-life examples from residential building construction to explain risks related to nail gun triggering systems and various residential framing nailing tasks.

As a safety-awareness publication, Straight Talk About Nail Gun Safety provides potential and new nail gun users with basic information to help them recognize potentially unsafe conditions and nail gun features that increase the risk of traumatic nail gun injury. The publication can be used in conjunction with safety training required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or to reinforce previous nail gun safety training.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-149.

Additionally, NIOSH has announced the release of Simple Solutions for Home Building Workers: A Basic Guide for Preventing Manual Material Handling Injuries, which also is available in Spanish.

Simple Solutions for Home Building Workers: A Basic Guide for Preventing Manual Material Handling Injuries provides basic information about readily available work practices and equipment that can help new and experienced workers, contractors and builders prevent serious manual material handling injuries. Original drawings and nontechnical language are used to describe manual material handling injury risks and how these risks can be reduced or eliminated for certain activities.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-111.

NIOSH also has announced the release of a new free app for mobile devices aimed at improving extension ladder safety.

The NIOSH Ladder Safety app has an angle of inclination indicator, making it easy to set an extension ladder at the proper angle of 75.5 degrees. The app's inclination indicator allows most mobile devices to provide a visual and audible signal when the ladder angle is set correctly. The Ladder Safety app includes additional information about ladder safety, such as ladder selection, inspection, accessorizing and use.

The app is available through the NIOSH website, Apple's App Store and Android Market.

NRCA seeks award entries

NRCA is seeking nominations for its 2014 Gold Circle Awards program, which recognizes NRCA members for their significant contributions to the roofing industry.

Gold Circle Awards categories include outstanding workmanship—low-slope; outstanding workmanship—steep-slope; innovative solutions—new construction; innovative solutions—reroofing; service to the community; and service to the industry.

Additionally, the Gold Circle Safety Award will be presented to an accident-free project where public protection challenges demanded creative safety solutions, challenging safety procedures or extensive involvement of multiple trades. The safety award is not a Gold Circle Awards nomination category but a special honor awarded by the Gold Circle Awards judges.

Unique roofing-related projects, programs and services completed between June 1, 2011, and May 31, 2013, are eligible for the competition. Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 20. Winners will be honored during NRCA's 127th Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

For more information or to obtain a Gold Circle Awards nomination form, visit www.nrca.net or contact Chrystine Hanus, NRCA's director of communications, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7522 or chanus@nrca.net.

In addition, CNA, the CNA Foundation and NRCA are accepting nominations for the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award, which honors charitable works by NRCA member contractors. Nominate any charitable project, activity or donation completed between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2013, for a chance to win up to $5,000 for your charity.

One winning company will receive $5,000 payable to its charity. Two honorable mentions will receive $1,000 each payable to their charities. Finalists will be notified by Jan. 13, 2014, and the awards will be presented during NRCA's 127th Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

Eligible projects, activities or donations do not have to involve roofing work. For example, funds raised for a cause or volunteer work at a children's hospital would qualify. Submissions should include an in-depth description of the charitable work, testimonial from the receiving charity and any supporting material (photos, video, etc.). A panel of judges from CNA, the CNA Foundation and NRCA will determine the winner and honorable mentions.

The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31. For more information or to complete a nomination form, visit www.nrca.net.

If you have questions, contact Ambika Bailey, NRCA's associate executive director of communications and production, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7555 or abailey@nrca.net.