Letters

I find it sadly ironic that several photos depicting less than stellar fall protection are featured in the same issue of Professional Roofing as "Getting serious about fall protection," by NRCA Executive Vice President Bill Good, August issue, page 78. "Turning green" on page 48 mentions the contractor, Murton Roofing, Miami, a Tecta America company, used "various safety precautions, including fall-protection measures such as perimeter warning lines and a safety monitor," but no evidence of those is apparent in the photos. Furthermore, a load of plant material is shown swinging over workers who are wearing only baseball caps for protection.

If the fall protection for the job is compliant but not visible, either better pictures should have been used or some explanation about the fall-protection plan should have been provided.

As Good states, if we don't get serious about fall protection, others will get serious about it for us.

Alex Hernandez
Clark Roofing Co.
Broadview, Ill.

I just read "Turning green" in the August issue. I also read Bill Good's piece "Getting serious about fall protection." These two articles could not be more opposite. I see no evidence of fall protection in any photo in "Turning green." It is my view no article should be printed in any roofing magazine if it does not show full safety compliance in every photo. Articles showing safe roofing practices seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

If you truly want to get serious about safety, I believe it should be your policy to ensure proper fall protection as a prerequisite before printing a story.

Tim Gardner
Snyder Roofing of Washington LLC
Snohomish, Wash.

Following is Murton Roofing's response to the letters:

All safety practices implemented on the roof were in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's standards. Based on the conditions present, we used a safety monitor, which is acceptable practice. At no time were Murton Roofing employees without the watchful eyes of the safety monitor. In addition, all employees were cognizant of the photographer, including the safety monitor.