Some Denver-Area Residential Roofing Contractors Are Failing At Fall Safety

The Colorado Roofing Association offers tips to help homeowners avoid scam artists.

Colorado Roofing Association

The residential roofing industry in Denver and area communities, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs, is being cited in record numbers for failing to keep workers safe by providing necessary fall prevention equipment and training. In addition to its own outreach effort on fall prevention, OSHA is teaming up with various organizations, including the Colorado Roofing Association and the Better Business Bureau.

In the past six months, we have received 63 complaints related to unsafe work practices, and this is the beginning of the roofing season. The cost of providing fall prevention equipment is nominal compared with the cost of a senseless loss of life and livelihood, said David Nelson, OSHAs area director in Englewood. Falls from heights of 6 to 15 feet accounted for 24 percent of all fatal falls in 2012.

Tips to Avoid Bad Residential Roofing Contractors

Consumers seeking to hire reputable and safety conscious roofing companies should visit the Colorado Roofing Association web site for tips on locating a quality contractor. The association warns: Beware of scam artists and unlicensed contractors. Not all roofing contractors are legitimate, and too many home and building owners have paid dearly for using them. They offer these tips:

To file a complaint or research complaints filed against a roofing contractor, consumers can go to the Better Business Bureau's web site. The establishment search on the OSHA web site provides consumers with information on contractors that have been cited for safety and health violations.

Consumers should be aware that, in many cases, the contractor they sign an agreement with is not necessarily the contractor installing the roof. Many roofing companies are using a different name with a higher Better Business Bureau rating to get the job, but have no roofers to do the install, said Nelson. Consumers need to ask questions, such as: Are the installers your employees or subcontractors? Are they insured? What is their past work history? How will the project be managed? What kind of fall protection will be used? Hold your contractors accountable. The last thing a consumer wants is someone falling, especially on their property.

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Some Denver-Area Residential Roofing Contractors Are Failing At Fall Safety