ROOFING CONTRACTORS - Category: Contractors – Construction (Excerpted)
Description of operations: Roofing contractors install, repair, and re-roof residential and commercial structures. They may install siding, gutters, or insulating material or make minor incidental repairs to chimneys. For existing structures, old roofing materials must be removed before new roofing may be installed. Roofs may be flat or pitched, with the roof covering made of asphalt shingles, clay tiles, gravel, metal, sedum, slate or stone, sod, solar panels, thatch, or wood shingles. Typically, a roof consists of a decking, often made of wood or metal, on top of which the covering is installed. Flat roofs may use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or synthetic rubber sheets or be built up from several layers of asphalt-laminated felt covered by asphalt and gravel. Hot tar or other adhesive may be used to join the roof covering to the decking. Flashing made of sheet metal is installed at corners and joints or around chimneys or exhaust vents.
Property exposure at the contractor’s own location is generally limited to those of an office, shop, and storage of materials, equipment, and vehicles. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems. Solvents, chemicals, or sealants used to install roofing may be flammable, requiring proper storage in approved containers and separation from combustibles. If repair work on owned vehicles and equipment is done in the building, fire hazards may be high due to the presence of oils, fuels, and other combustibles.
Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor bills customers for services, computers, contractors’ equipment and tools, goods in transit, installation floater, and valuable papers and records for clients' and suppliers' information.
Crime exposure is primarily from employee dishonesty, including theft of customers' goods by the contractor's employee.
Premises liability exposures at the contractor’s office or shop are generally limited due to lack of public access. Outdoor storage may create vandalism and attractive nuisance hazards. Off-site exposures are moderate. The area of operation should be restricted by barriers and proper signage to protect the public from slips and falls over tools, roofing materials, and scrap. Wind or weather may damage the unfinished portion of the roof or the interior of the building during the installation process.
Personal injury exposures include allegations of assault and battery, discrimination, false advertising, and invasion of privacy.
Completed operations liability exposures can be high due to the potential for collapse, leakage, or wind damage to a roof that has not been installed or repaired properly. Gradual seepage of water can cause mold or rot within the structure itself. Mold spores may cause respiratory damage. Water can pond on flat roofs that lack appropriate drainage systems or freeze during winter weather. Quality control, including work order documentation and employee training, background, and experience are important. Hazards may increase in the absence of proper record keeping of work orders and change orders, as well as inspection and signed approval of finished work by the customer.
Automobile exposures are generally limited to transporting workers, equipment, and supplies to and from job sites. Loading and unloading hazards are moderate due to the weight of roofing materials.
