ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Dan Perkins construction in Ishpeming is spending the first weeks of spring working on a roofing project with a new approach.
President of the company, Dan Perkins, explained that metal roofing, unlike other standard roofing materials, has a vertical application process.
“That makes it very difficult for the old safety standards on roofing such as toe boards and the standard OSHA safety harnesses” Perkins says.
Brandon Snyder is a climbing expert in Marquette. He’s working with Perkins construction to develop a fully OSHA compliant rope access safety program.
“We’re doing some consulting on bringing together the two types of rope work” Snyder says, “it’s generally used in roofing applications and at height work.”
The goal is to create a system that works better for materials like metal roofing. Snyder says the technique combines fall arrest systems that traditional roofers use and adds work positioning that can aid with steeper terrain and vertical application
“Bringing these techniques in can speed things up,” Says Snyder, “it’s just bottom line of security that goes above and beyond what OSHA is currently requiring for people.”
As the two work to develop the new program, Perkins says he hopes it could change the way workers go about roofing nationwide…
“We really hope to make good progress today and over the next few months to develop this system for our company.” Says Perkins.
Perkins and Snyder will continue to work together over the next few months as they patch roofs across Ishpeming, and integrate their rope access safety program.
